From cbdf482422f4fe02112f80f45499dbd70f3b5e0e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: alexion <contact@alexion.dev>
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:50:19 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] refactor(dotfiles): order default let bindings

---
 docs/TODO.md                      |  3 ++-
 src/dotfiles/default.nix          | 19 +++++++++----------
 src/skills/nix-style/rules/let.md | 15 +++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 26 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/TODO.md b/docs/TODO.md
index daa860a..157d245 100644
--- a/docs/TODO.md
+++ b/docs/TODO.md
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 - amazon / actualbudget exporter
 - vim-obsidian-markdown
 - dictionary cli tool
+- repo-local Nix style linter
 - kitchen.md
 
 # migration
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@
 Review Nix files in entrypoint order:
 
 - [x] `flake.nix`
-- [ ] `src/dotfiles/default.nix`
+- [x] `src/dotfiles/default.nix`
 - [ ] `src/dotfiles/util.nix`
 - [ ] `src/dotfiles/formatter.nix`
 - [ ] `src/dotfiles/apps.nix`
diff --git a/src/dotfiles/default.nix b/src/dotfiles/default.nix
index bfc653c..d012438 100644
--- a/src/dotfiles/default.nix
+++ b/src/dotfiles/default.nix
@@ -19,6 +19,15 @@ let
     root = root + "/modules";
   };
 
+  specialArgs = {
+    inherit
+      inputs
+      self
+      util
+      ;
+    registry = registry.collected;
+  };
+
   guestModules = import ./guests.nix {
     inherit
       inputs
@@ -30,16 +39,6 @@ let
     repositoryModules = modules;
     root = root + "/guests";
   };
-
-  specialArgs = {
-    inherit
-      inputs
-      self
-      util
-      ;
-    registry = registry.collected;
-  };
-
 in
 {
   formatter.${system} =
diff --git a/src/skills/nix-style/rules/let.md b/src/skills/nix-style/rules/let.md
index 1eff1d2..7012562 100644
--- a/src/skills/nix-style/rules/let.md
+++ b/src/skills/nix-style/rules/let.md
@@ -5,12 +5,27 @@
 ### Rule
 
 Do not add a `let` binding only to let sibling values share one expression.
+Apply this rule only when one sibling value clearly owns the concept.
 When one sibling value owns the concept, reference that sibling value directly.
 When a flake output owns the public value, reference that output through `self`.
 Do not make an output attrset recursive only to reference sibling outputs.
+Do not apply this rule when a binding names a local constant used to keep sibling assignments in sync.
 
 ### Rationale
 
 Shared convenience bindings hide dependency direction.
 Explicit references show which value owns a concept and which value consumes it.
 
+## Order `let` bindings by dependency
+
+### Rule
+
+Define a `let` binding before other bindings that reference it.
+Use forward references only for intentional recursion or fixed-point wiring.
+
+### Rationale
+
+Nix permits recursive `let` bindings.
+Top-down dependency order makes ordinary wiring easier to read.
+This rule can become a linter rule because binding references are mechanically detectable.
+