Improve aarch64-linux VM setup for lean configuration

[delafthi]

Goal

Create a lean, efficient aarch64-linux VM setup that's easy to deploy and maintain.

Current State

• VM configuration at hosts/nixos/vm/
• Using QEMU guest profile
• BTRFS filesystem with compression and multiple subvolumes
• GNOME desktop environment enabled (via linux configs)
• SPICE agent support
• Rosetta enabled for x86_64 emulation
• Full home-manager configuration imported

Research Needed

VM Setup Method

• Investigate easiest way to create/deploy the VM
  • nixos-generators for various VM formats?
  • Manual installation vs automated deployment?
  • Integration with virtualization platforms (QEMU, UTM, etc.)
• Document the current setup process (if any)

GUI Decision

• Determine if GUI is needed for intended use cases
  • Headless with SSH only?
  • Minimal window manager vs full desktop?
  • Keep GNOME but strip down?
• Consider use cases:
  • Development testing?
  • CI/CD runner?
  • Desktop environment testing?

Lean Configuration

• Review enabled services and remove unnecessary ones
• Audit home-manager imports - do we need full darwin/linux configs?
• Optimize for:
  • Boot time
  • Disk space
  • Memory usage
• Consider:
  • Minimal package set
  • Stripping desktop environment if not needed
  • Removing unnecessary kernel modules
  • Optimizing BTRFS subvolume layout

Questions to Answer

1. What is the primary purpose of this VM?
2. Do we need GUI at all?
3. What's the preferred workflow for creating/updating the VM?
4. Should this be documented in a separate VM setup guide?

Potential Improvements

• Add declarative VM image generation
• Create lean profile variants (headless, minimal-gui, full-desktop)
• Document quick-start guide for VM deployment
• Optimize resource usage
• Add scripts for easy VM lifecycle management