diff --git a/config/nixos.nix b/config/nixos.nix
index 5324684..6efa0cf 100644
--- a/config/nixos.nix
+++ b/config/nixos.nix
@@ -42,11 +42,8 @@
     auto-optimise-store = true;
   };
 
-  # use linux-cachy from the nyx repo.
-  # is this actually "required"? no, not really. but i can have it, so why not?
-  # see nyx: https://www.nyx.chaotic.cx/
-  # see cachyos: https://github.com/CachyOS/linux-cachyos
-  boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_cachyos;
+  # use linux-zen
+  boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxKernel.packages.linux_zen;
 
   # Bootloader.
   boot.loader.systemd-boot.enable = true;
diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index 8ad172e..7f842dd 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@
     # "fresh from git" master branch of nixpkgs. for packages not yet in unstable
     nixpkgs-master.url = "github:NixOS/nixpkgs/master";
 
-    # chaotic's team nyx repo which usually contains unstable git packages or custom
-    # packages, such as modified linux kernels (which we do use here)
-    chaotic.url = "github:chaotic-cx/nyx/nyxpkgs-unstable";
-
     # flake that allows for installing system and user flatpaks
     flatpaks.url = "github:gmodena/nix-flatpak";
 
@@ -60,7 +56,6 @@
     self,
     nixpkgs,
     nixpkgs-master,
-    chaotic,
     flatpaks,
     catppuccin,
     home-manager,
@@ -106,8 +101,6 @@
         modules = with self.nixosModules; [
           # flatpaks
           flatpaks.nixosModules.nix-flatpak
-          # nyx repo
-          chaotic.nixosModules.default
           # fingerprint reader
           nixos-06cb-009a-fingerprint-sensor.nixosModules.open-fprintd
           nixos-06cb-009a-fingerprint-sensor.nixosModules.python-validity
@@ -127,8 +120,6 @@
         modules = with self.nixosModules; [
           # flatpaks
           flatpaks.nixosModules.nix-flatpak
-          # nyx repo
-          chaotic.nixosModules.default
           # system and user config
           ./machines/thonkpad
           declarativeHome ./users/ruben