---
comment: true
title: Apply your Config
description: How to apply a node with wire.
---

# Apply your Config

{{ $frontmatter.description }}

## What does it mean to 'apply'?

Once you have created a hive, you can now "apply" your
configuration to nodes in your hive. Simply, "applying" is the term used by wire to describe **deploying the
config**.

::: info
Applying a node typically involves pushing keys,
evaluating the node's NixOS system, building the node's NixOS system, and running
`switch-to-configuration`, depending on which specific goal is used.
:::

The simplest way to apply is simply running:

```sh
$ wire apply switch
```

Which will `switch` to each node's NixOS system in your hive and push
secrets (the equivalent to `nixos-rebuild`'s `nixos-rebuild switch`).

## Apply goals

`wire apply` accepts a goal, which include verbs which will be familiar to
`nixos-rebuild` users such as `switch`, `boot`, and `test`, alongside additional verbs
like `keys` and `push`.

### `wire apply keys`

wire will push all deployment keys to nodes, and do nothing else. While running
this goal, option
[`deployment.keys.<name>.uploadAt`](/reference/module#deployment-keys-name-uploadat)
has no effect and all keys will be pushed. Read [the secret management guide](./keys)
to learn more about wire deployment keys.

### `wire apply push`

wire will "push" (equivalent to [`nix
copy`](https://nix.dev/manual/nix/2.18/command-ref/new-cli/nix3-copy)) the
`.drv` file that can produce the node's NixOS system when built.

### `wire apply build`

Sister to `wire apply push`, wire will build the
node's NixOS system and ensure the output path exists on the node. Depending on
[`deployment.buildOnTarget`](/reference/module#deployment-buildontarget), the
`.drv` file may be built on the machine invoking wire or the node itself.

### `wire apply [switch|boot|test|dry-activate]`

Type `wire apply --help` or
[read the reference](../reference/cli#wire-apply) to read more.

## Applying locally

If `deployment.allowLocalDeployment` is `true`, and the machine invoking wire's
host name is equivalent to a node's name, wire will apply that node to the local
machine. Goals like `push` and `build`, wont actually "push" anything as
the paths already exists on the local machine.

When applying to your local machine, wire can interactively run `sudo`!
wire will prompt for your password, meaning wire can be ran as any user in
the `wheel` group.

## Applying specific nodes

Use the `--on` argument to specify which nodes in your hive to apply:

```sh
$ wire apply --on node-a
```

Further examples, including how you can utilise tags, can be found on the [Targeting Nodes](./targeting) page.