diff --git a/core/core-packages.el b/core/core-packages.el
index a9f244689..fc70db123 100644
--- a/core/core-packages.el
+++ b/core/core-packages.el
@@ -41,6 +41,13 @@ package's name as a symbol, and whose CDR is the plist supplied to its
 (defvar doom-disabled-packages ()
   "A list of packages that should be ignored by `use-package!' and `after!'.")
 
+(defvar doom-packages-file "packages"
+  "The basename of packages file for modules.
+
+Package files are read whenever Doom's package manager wants a manifest of all
+desired packages. They are rarely read in interactive sessions (unless the user
+uses a straight or package.el command directly).")
+
 
 ;;
 ;;; package.el
diff --git a/test/shell.nix b/test/shell.nix
index fb00ab446..4cd220174 100644
--- a/test/shell.nix
+++ b/test/shell.nix
@@ -41,7 +41,5 @@ pkgs.stdenv.mkDerivation {
       cp -r "$EMACSDIR/.local/straight/repos" ./repos
     fi
     popd >/dev/null
-
-    doom sync
   '';
 }