add info on how to get the commits and channel names to use (#1080)

* added how to find the specfic commit commits or channel names for constructing pin URLs * clarify terms, shorten phrasing Co-authored-by: Ellyse Cedeno <[email protected]>
NixOS · Nov 13, 2024 · c116a16 · c116a16
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diff --git a/source/concepts/faq.md b/source/concepts/faq.md
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ See [](flakes-definition).
 
 Nixpkgs and NixOS have both stable and rolling releases.
 
+These releases are distributed in variants called "channel branches":
+Git branches used for releases, which are also converted to Nix channels.
+
+:::{tip}
+Consult the [`nix-channel`](https://nix.dev/manual/nix/2.22/command-ref/nix-channel) entry in the Nix Reference Manual for more information on channels, and the [Nixpkgs contributing guide](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#branch-conventions) on the Nixpkgs branching strategy.
+:::
+
 ### Stable
 
 Stable releases receive conservative updates to fix bugs or security vulnerabilities; otherwise package versions are not changed.
@@ -51,10 +58,6 @@ Rolling releases follow [`master`](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/branches/all
 
 [`*-small`](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/branches/all?query=-small) channel branches have passed a smaller test suite, which means they are more up-to-date with respect to their base branch, but offer fewer stability guarantees.
 
-:::{tip}
-Consult the [`nix-channel`](https://nix.dev/manual/nix/2.22/command-ref/nix-channel) entry in the Nix Reference Manual for more information on channels, and the [Nixpkgs contributing guide](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#branch-conventions) on the Nixpkgs branching strategy.
-:::
-
 ## Are there any impurities left in sandboxed builds?
 
 Yes. There is:

diff --git a/source/reference/pinning-nixpkgs.md b/source/reference/pinning-nixpkgs.md
@@ -77,3 +77,17 @@ Specifying remote Nix expressions, such as the one provided by Nixpkgs, can be d
     pkgs = import (fetchTarball "https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/archive/nixos-22.11.tar.gz") {};
   in pkgs.stdenv.mkDerivation { ... }
   ```
+
+## Finding specific commits and releases
+
+[status.nixos.org](https://status.nixos.org/) provides:
+
+- Latest tested commits for each release - use when pinning to specific commits
+- List of active release channels - use when tracking latest channel versions
+
+The complete list of channels is available at [nixos.org/channels](https://nixos.org/channels).
+
+:::{tip}
+More information on Nixpkgs and NixOS releases: [](channel-branches)
+:::
+