diff --git a/nix/nixosModules/extra/lean-nixos.nix b/nix/nixosModules/extra/lean-nixos.nix
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8d4a815
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nix/nixosModules/extra/lean-nixos.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# disable unused tools on nixos systems (that I don't use)
+{
+  system.tools = {
+    # build a network of virtual machines? never used this.
+    nixos-build-vms.enable = false;
+
+    # only useful for installer
+    nixos-generate-config.enable = false;
+    nixos-install.enable = false;
+
+    # interactively show options, just use the repl instead
+    nixos-option.enable = false;
+  };
+}