docs(nixos): add Bun SEA binary packaging guide#183
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heath-hunnicutt-ruach-tov wants to merge 1 commit intoandrewyng:mainfrom
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docs(nixos): add Bun SEA binary packaging guide#183heath-hunnicutt-ruach-tov wants to merge 1 commit intoandrewyng:mainfrom
heath-hunnicutt-ruach-tov wants to merge 1 commit intoandrewyng:mainfrom
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Bun SEA (Single Executable Application) binaries store compiled JavaScript bytecode appended after the ELF section table. NixOS's autoPatchelfHook truncates this data, breaking the binary. This doc explains the root cause and provides a working Nix derivation pattern using patchelf --set-interpreter. Discovered while packaging varlock for NixOS (March 2026). Tags: nixos, nix, bun, packaging, patchelf, autoPatchelfHook
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Summary
Adds a new context document explaining how to package Bun SEA (Single Executable Application) binaries on NixOS.
The Problem
Bun SEA binaries embed compiled JavaScript bytecode appended after the ELF section table. NixOS's
autoPatchelfHookrewrites the ELF structure, truncating this appended data and breaking the binary. The packaged binary acts as a bare Bun runtime instead of the intended application.What This Doc Covers
---- Bun! ----sentinel)autoPatchelfHookbreaks it (ELF rewrite truncates appended data)makeWrapperwithld-linuxdoesn't work (/proc/self/exemismatch)patchelf --set-interpreter(preserves appended data)Discovery
Found while packaging varlock for NixOS (March 2026). This is a general class of NixOS packaging bug that affects any Bun-compiled binary, not just varlock.
Files
content/nixos/docs/bun-sea-packaging/DOC.md— new docChecklist