Build phases (with `mkDerivation`)

Project description

A Nix build goes through several phases, many of which are handled for you automatically if you're using nixpkgs-provided builders. However, it's common to want to customize a particular build phase or write your own logic for a particular phase if you aren't using a builder. This tutorial should focus on common build phases, when each one occurs, and how you might customize each one to accomplish certain tasks. This tutorial could also show that builders implement these phases differently to accommodate their different use cases.

Steps

• Submit a PR with an outline for the tutorial
• Submit a PR with a draft of the tutorial

Considerations

This is a broad topic that can go in many different directions, so special attention should be given to making sure that this is a tutorial and not an explanation. In other words, the user should be working on a specific task that puts them in contact with these topics, this document shouldn't be a general discussion of phases.

Start from the issue requirements and the linked Diátaxis distinction, then outline a task-focused tutorial covering common build phases, customization, and builder differences. Submit the outline first, followed by a draft tutorial; completion means both requested PRs are provided and the result remains a tutorial rather than a general explanation.