---
title: "Example flow"
description: "Example flow for refreshing a macOS source, reconciling Homebrew packages, and activating nix-darwin."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://outfitting.jfa.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Example flow

This flow assumes the `workstation` profile declares a Brewfile and may declare a nix-darwin flake. Replace `workstation` with the selected macOS profile.

## Prepare and validate the source

```sh
outfitting-manager init --profile workstation
```

`init` refreshes a configured remote source by default and validates the selected profile. It does not install Homebrew packages or activate Nix.

## Inspect package and Nix state

```sh
outfitting-manager diff --profile workstation
```

`diff` compares Homebrew and Nix system state with the selected profile's declarations. It is read-only; differences or an unavailable comparison produce a nonzero exit status.

## Reconcile Homebrew packages

```sh
outfitting-manager apply --profile workstation --no-refresh
```

`apply` reuses the source snapshot validated by `init` and installs missing packages from the profile's Brewfile. It does not upgrade installed packages or activate nix-darwin. Homebrew may still access the network to install packages.

## Activate nix-darwin when configured

```sh
outfitting-manager nix switch --profile workstation --no-refresh
```

Run this step when the selected profile declares a nix-darwin flake. `switch` builds and activates that system; successful Nix actions publish related lock state unless `--no-push` is supplied. See [macOS commands](/docs/platforms/macos/commands/) for the other Nix actions, inventory capture, and recovery behavior.

For later maintenance, [`update`](/docs/cli/update/) upgrades installed Homebrew packages, while `apply` remains the operation for installing missing Brewfile declarations.

Source: https://outfitting.jfa.dev/docs/platforms/macos/example-flow/index.mdx