Building DuckDB Extensions with Zig and Nix

Why these tools fit together

DuckDB extensions reward teams that keep their build process explicit and deterministic.

Zig gives tighter control over native extension logic, while Nix keeps compilers, headers, and toolchains synchronized.

A reproducible extension flow

Start by creating a small scaffold and adding one functional surface at a time.

By pinning Nix inputs and keeping the ABI boundary tight, teams can move from experimentation to repeatable builds with confidence.

• Use Nix to lock DuckDB and compiler versions.
• Use a C++ bridge when calling into DuckDB internals.
• Build and validate load/unload flows before adding complexity.

From prototype to reusable artifact

The end goal is a repeatable extension artifact that can be rebuilt by anyone following the same steps.

That removes “works on my machine” drift and keeps extension delivery reliable.