A NixOS module for generating and displaying branded boot intro videos with real-time audio visualization. Part of the DeMoD (Design ≠ Marketing) ecosystem.

boot-intro generates a video at build time featuring:

• Symmetric audio waveform visualization with bloom effects
• CRT-style scanlines and barrel distortion
• Configurable color palettes (8 built-in themes)
• MIDI synthesis or audio file support
• Optional logo overlay and background video

The video plays after Plymouth exits and before your display manager starts, providing a seamless branded boot experience.

{
  inputs = {
    nixpkgs.url = "github:NixOS/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
    boot-intro.url = "github:demod-llc/boot-intro";
  };

  outputs = { self, nixpkgs, boot-intro, ... }: {
    nixosConfigurations.your-host = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
      system = "x86_64-linux";
      modules = [
        boot-intro.nixosModules.default
        ./configuration.nix
      ];
    };
  };
}

Clone the repository and import the module:

{ config, pkgs, ... }:

{
  imports = [
    /path/to/boot-intro/module.nix
  ];
}

services.boot-intro = {
  enable = true;
  theme = "classic";
  soundFile = ./assets/chime.mid;
};

services.boot-intro = {
  enable = true;
  
  # Visual theme
  theme = "oligarchy";
  resolution = "2560x1600";
  
  # Branding
  titleText = "Oligarchy";
  bottomText = "Design ≠ Marketing";
  logoImage = ./assets/logo.png;
  logoScale = 0.4;
  
  # Background (optional — solid color from theme if unset)
  backgroundVideo = ./assets/grid.mp4;
  
  # Audio source
  soundFile = ./assets/boot.wav;
  
  # Tuning
  waveformOpacity = 0.75;
  fadeDuration = 2.0;
  fillMode = "fill";

  # Playback
  volume = 100;
  # playOnAllOutputs = true;  # Also play audio on all HDMI outputs (useful for external monitors/TVs with speakers)
};

1. Build time: The module generates an MP4 using FFmpeg with the configured audio, visuals, and theme. MIDI files are synthesized via FluidSynth.

2. Boot time: A systemd oneshot service plays the video on TTY1 using mpv (direct DRM + ALSA) after Plymouth exits and before the display manager starts. Hardware mixer controls are forcibly unmuted on the primary analog card for reliable audio.

3. Fallback: If GPU initialization fails, mpv falls back appropriately. Playback errors don't block boot.

plymouth-quit-wait.service
         ↓
boot-intro-player.service  ←  conflicts with getty@tty1
         ↓
display-manager.service

• NixOS 24.11 or later
• GPU with working DRM/KMS (AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA with modesetting)
• Audio output (optional but recommended)
• alsa-utils (automatically added when module is enabled)

• ffmpeg-full
• fluidsynth (for MIDI)
• mpv
• dejavu_fonts
• soundfont-fluid

• The module now includes hardware-specific unmuting for common Realtek/AMD laptop audio (ALC295 + multiple HDMI controllers).
• If using different hardware, audio may remain muted by default at early boot. Test with journalctl -u boot-intro-player and manually adjust mixer controls if needed.
• Enable playOnAllOutputs = true; if you want audio on external HDMI displays/monitors with speakers.

Check the journal:

journalctl -u boot-intro-player.service

Common issues:

• GPU driver not loaded early enough — add your GPU module to boot.initrd.kernelModules
• Audio device not ready — the video will still play without sound

Ensure your display manager isn't racing the intro:

# SDDM users — this is set automatically by the module
services.displayManager.sddm.settings.General.InputMethod = "";

The video duration matches your audio file. Adjust fadeDuration if the ending feels abrupt.

Set resolution to match your display:

services.boot-intro.resolution = "2560x1600";  # Framework 16
services.boot-intro.resolution = "3840x2160";  # 4K

Build and preview without rebooting:

nix-build -E 'with import <nixpkgs> {}; callPackage ./test.nix {}'
mpv result

Define additional palettes in the demodPalettes attrset:

myTheme = {
  primary = "#FF6600";
  secondary = "#CC5200";
  accent = "#FF9944";
  background = "#0A0500";
  text = "#FF6600";
  waveform = "#FF6600";
};

BSD 3-Clause License. See LICENSE for details.

Developed by DeMoD LLC as part of the Oligarchy NixOS distribution.

Design ≠ Marketing

### Updated Example Integration (`configuration.nix` snippet)

```nix
# ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
# Boot Intro Integration Example
# Add to your main configuration.nix
# ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

{ config, pkgs, lib, inputs, nixpkgs-unstable, ... }:

{
  imports = [
    ./modules/audio.nix
    ./modules/boot-intro.nix  # ← Add this import
  ];

  # ... rest of your config ...

  # ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  # DeMoD Boot Intro
  # ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  services.boot-intro = {
    enable = true;

    # Theme selection — pick your DeMoD palette
    # Options: classic, amber, cyan, magenta, red, white, oligarchy, archibald
    theme = "oligarchy";

    # Branding
    titleText = "Oligarchy";
    bottomText = "Design ≠ Marketing";

    # Optional: Your logo (PNG or animated GIF)
    # logoImage = ./assets/demod-logo.png;
    # logoScale = 0.4;

    # Audio source — MIDI gets synthesized, audio files normalized
    soundFile = ./assets/boot-chime.mid;
    # Or use a wav/mp3/flac:
    # soundFile = ./assets/boot-intro.wav;

    # Optional: Background video (loops behind waveform)
    # backgroundVideo = ./assets/grid-animation.mp4;

    # Visual tuning
    resolution = "2560x1600";  # Match your Framework 16 display
    waveformOpacity = 0.7;
    fadeDuration = 2.0;

    # Playback options
    volume = 100;
    # playOnAllOutputs = true;  # Enable for simultaneous audio on all HDMI outputs (external monitors/TVs)
  };

  # ... rest of your config ...
}