# apt-ostree CLI Analysis ## Executive Summary apt-ostree provides a 100% compatible command-line interface with rpm-ostree, serving as the primary user interface for the Debian/Ubuntu hybrid image/package system. The CLI maintains identical user experience while adapting the underlying functionality to the APT/DEB ecosystem. ## CLI Architecture ### Command Structure apt-ostree follows the exact same hierarchical command structure as rpm-ostree: ``` apt-ostree [GLOBAL_OPTIONS] COMMAND [COMMAND_OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` ### Global Options - `--version`: Show version information - `--help`: Show help information - `--verbose`: Enable verbose output - `--quiet`: Suppress output - `--json`: Output in JSON format - `--sysroot=PATH`: Specify system root path ### 100% Compatibility All commands, options, and output formats are identical to rpm-ostree, ensuring: - **Identical User Experience**: Same commands and options - **Familiar Interface**: No learning curve for rpm-ostree users - **Consistent Behavior**: Same behavior across systems - **Easy Migration**: Seamless migration from rpm-ostree ## Core Commands (21/21 - 100% Complete) ### 1. Status Command **Purpose**: Display system status and deployment information **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree status [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--json`: Output in JSON format - `--booted`: Show only booted deployment - `--pending`: Show only pending deployment **Output Format**: ``` State: idle Deployments: * ostree://debian:debian/amd64/ostree Version: 12.20231201.0 (2023-12-01 12:34:56) BaseCommit: abc123def456... GPGSignature: Valid signature by 1234567890ABCDEF LayeredPackages: vim git ostree://debian:debian/amd64/ostree Version: 12.20231115.0 (2023-11-15 10:20:30) BaseCommit: def456ghi789... GPGSignature: Valid signature by 1234567890ABCDEF LayeredPackages: vim ``` **Implementation**: - Queries OSTree sysroot for deployment information - Displays current and available deployments - Shows layered packages and version information - Indicates booted and pending deployments - Uses APT database for package information ### 2. Upgrade Command **Purpose**: Upgrade system to latest version **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree upgrade [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--check`: Check for updates without upgrading - `--download-only`: Download updates without installing - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after upgrade - `--allow-downgrade`: Allow downgrading packages - `--unchanged-exit-77`: Exit with 77 if no changes **Execution Flow**: 1. Check for available updates via APT 2. Download new packages via APT 3. Create new deployment 4. Install updates 5. Update boot configuration 6. Optionally reboot **Implementation**: - Uses libapt-pkg to check for updates - Downloads packages via APT - Creates new OSTree commit with updates - Manages deployment switching - Handles rollback on failure ### 3. Rollback Command **Purpose**: Rollback to previous deployment **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree rollback [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after rollback - `--not-as-default`: Don't set as default boot option **Execution Flow**: 1. Identify previous deployment 2. Switch to previous deployment 3. Update boot configuration 4. Optionally reboot **Implementation**: - Queries OSTree for available deployments - Switches to previous deployment - Updates GRUB/systemd-boot configuration - Manages boot order ### 4. Deploy Command **Purpose**: Deploy specific version or commit **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree deploy [OPTIONS] [REF] ``` **Options**: - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after deployment - `--not-as-default`: Don't set as default boot option - `--os=OSNAME`: Specify operating system name **Examples**: ```bash # Deploy specific version apt-ostree deploy debian:debian/amd64/ostree/12.20231201.0 # Deploy specific commit apt-ostree deploy abc123def456... # Deploy with reboot apt-ostree deploy --reboot debian:debian/amd64/ostree/12.20231201.0 ``` **Implementation**: - Validates deployment reference - Downloads deployment if needed - Switches to specified deployment - Updates boot configuration ### 5. Install Command **Purpose**: Install packages as layers **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree install [OPTIONS] PACKAGES... ``` **Options**: - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after installation - `--allow-inactive`: Allow installing on inactive deployment - `--idempotent`: Don't error if packages already installed **Examples**: ```bash # Install single package apt-ostree install vim # Install multiple packages apt-ostree install vim git build-essential # Install with reboot apt-ostree install --reboot firefox ``` **Execution Flow**: 1. Resolve package dependencies via APT 2. Download packages via APT 3. Create new deployment with packages 4. Install packages in new deployment 5. Update boot configuration 6. Optionally reboot **Implementation**: - Uses libapt-pkg for dependency resolution - Downloads packages via APT - Creates new OSTree commit with packages - Manages package layering - Handles conflicts and rollback ### 6. Uninstall Command **Purpose**: Remove layered packages **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree uninstall [OPTIONS] PACKAGES... ``` **Options**: - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after uninstallation - `--idempotent`: Don't error if packages not installed **Examples**: ```bash # Remove single package apt-ostree uninstall vim # Remove multiple packages apt-ostree uninstall vim git # Remove with reboot apt-ostree uninstall --reboot firefox ``` **Execution Flow**: 1. Check if packages are installed 2. Create new deployment without packages 3. Remove packages from new deployment 4. Update boot configuration 5. Optionally reboot **Implementation**: - Validates package installation status - Creates new deployment without packages - Manages package removal - Handles dependencies and conflicts ### 7. Override Command **Purpose**: Manage package overrides **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree override [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` **Subcommands**: - `replace`: Replace package with different version - `remove`: Remove package from base - `reset`: Reset package to base version - `list`: List current overrides **Examples**: ```bash # Replace package apt-ostree override replace kernel /path/to/custom-kernel.deb # Remove package from base apt-ostree override remove package-name # Reset package apt-ostree override reset package-name # List overrides apt-ostree override list ``` **Implementation**: - Manages package override state - Handles package replacement - Tracks override history - Manages base package modifications ### 8. Rebase Command **Purpose**: Switch to different base image **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree rebase [OPTIONS] [REF] ``` **Options**: - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after rebase - `--os=OSNAME`: Specify operating system name **Examples**: ```bash # Rebase to different version apt-ostree rebase debian:debian/amd64/ostree/13 # Rebase to different OS apt-ostree rebase --os=debian debian:debian/amd64/ostree/13 ``` **Execution Flow**: 1. Download new base image 2. Merge user packages to new base 3. Create new deployment 4. Update boot configuration 5. Optionally reboot **Implementation**: - Downloads new base image - Preserves user packages - Creates new deployment - Manages package compatibility ### 9. Compose Command **Purpose**: Build custom images **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree compose [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` **Subcommands**: - `tree`: Build tree from configuration - `build-image`: Build container image - `extensions`: Manage extensions **Examples**: ```bash # Build tree apt-ostree compose tree config.yaml # Build container image apt-ostree compose build-image --format=docker output.tar # Manage extensions apt-ostree compose extensions list ``` **Implementation**: - Parses configuration files - Builds custom images - Manages extensions - Generates container images ### 10. DB Command **Purpose**: Query package database **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree db [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` **Subcommands**: - `diff`: Show differences between deployments - `list`: List packages in deployment - `version`: Show package versions **Examples**: ```bash # Show differences apt-ostree db diff deployment1 deployment2 # List packages apt-ostree db list # Show versions apt-ostree db version package-name ``` **Implementation**: - Queries APT package database - Compares deployments - Lists package information - Shows version details ### 11. Search Command **Purpose**: Search for packages **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree search [OPTIONS] QUERY ``` **Options**: - `--json`: Output in JSON format - `--limit=N`: Limit number of results **Examples**: ```bash # Search by name apt-ostree search firefox # Search by description apt-ostree search "web browser" ``` **Implementation**: - Uses libapt-pkg for package search - Searches package metadata - Returns relevant results - Supports various search criteria ### 12. Kargs Command **Purpose**: Manage kernel arguments **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree kargs [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` **Options**: - `--reboot`: Automatically reboot after changes - `--append`: Append kernel arguments - `--delete`: Delete kernel arguments - `--replace`: Replace kernel arguments **Examples**: ```bash # Show current kernel arguments apt-ostree kargs # Append kernel argument apt-ostree kargs --append="quiet" # Delete kernel argument apt-ostree kargs --delete="quiet" # Replace kernel arguments apt-ostree kargs --replace="quiet splash" ``` **Implementation**: - Manages kernel argument state - Updates boot configuration - Handles argument modification - Preserves argument history ### 13. Initramfs Command **Purpose**: Manage initramfs **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree initramfs [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` **Subcommands**: - `enable`: Enable initramfs - `disable`: Disable initramfs - `etc`: Manage initramfs files **Examples**: ```bash # Enable initramfs apt-ostree initramfs enable # Disable initramfs apt-ostree initramfs disable # Manage files apt-ostree initramfs etc --track=/etc/fstab ``` **Implementation**: - Manages initramfs state - Handles initramfs generation - Tracks initramfs files - Updates boot configuration ### 14. Usroverlay Command **Purpose**: Create transient overlayfs to /usr **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree usroverlay [OPTIONS] [COMMAND] ``` **Options**: - `--init`: Initialize overlay - `--cleanup`: Clean up overlay **Examples**: ```bash # Initialize overlay apt-ostree usroverlay --init # Run command in overlay apt-ostree usroverlay --init -- apt install package # Clean up overlay apt-ostree usroverlay --cleanup ``` **Implementation**: - Creates overlayfs mount - Manages overlay state - Handles command execution - Cleans up overlay ### 15. Apply-Live Command **Purpose**: Apply changes to running system **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree apply-live [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--reload`: Reload configuration - `--replace`: Replace running system **Examples**: ```bash # Apply live changes apt-ostree apply-live # Apply with reload apt-ostree apply-live --reload ``` **Implementation**: - Applies changes to running system - Manages live updates - Handles configuration reload - Manages system state ### 16. Cancel Command **Purpose**: Cancel pending transaction **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree cancel [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--force`: Force cancellation **Examples**: ```bash # Cancel transaction apt-ostree cancel # Force cancellation apt-ostree cancel --force ``` **Implementation**: - Cancels pending transactions - Cleans up transaction state - Handles force cancellation - Manages rollback ### 17. Cleanup Command **Purpose**: Clean up old deployments **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree cleanup [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--base`: Clean up base images - `--repomd`: Clean up repository metadata - `--rollback`: Clean up rollback deployments **Examples**: ```bash # Clean up old deployments apt-ostree cleanup # Clean up base images apt-ostree cleanup --base # Clean up rollback deployments apt-ostree cleanup --rollback ``` **Implementation**: - Identifies old deployments - Removes unused deployments - Cleans up base images - Manages disk space ### 18. Reload Command **Purpose**: Reload configuration **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree reload [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--os=OSNAME`: Specify operating system name **Examples**: ```bash # Reload configuration apt-ostree reload # Reload specific OS apt-ostree reload --os=debian ``` **Implementation**: - Reloads system configuration - Updates repository metadata - Refreshes package information - Manages configuration state ### 19. Reset Command **Purpose**: Reset system state **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree reset [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--os=OSNAME`: Specify operating system name - `--hard`: Hard reset (remove all changes) **Examples**: ```bash # Reset system apt-ostree reset # Hard reset apt-ostree reset --hard ``` **Implementation**: - Resets system state - Removes user changes - Restores base state - Manages state reset ### 20. Refresh-MD Command **Purpose**: Refresh repository metadata **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree refresh-md [OPTIONS] ``` **Options**: - `--os=OSNAME`: Specify operating system name **Examples**: ```bash # Refresh metadata apt-ostree refresh-md # Refresh specific OS apt-ostree refresh-md --os=debian ``` **Implementation**: - Downloads repository metadata - Updates package information - Refreshes repository state - Manages metadata cache ### 21. Initramfs-Etc Command **Purpose**: Manage initramfs files **Usage**: ```bash apt-ostree initramfs-etc [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS] ``` **Options**: - `--track`: Track file in initramfs - `--untrack`: Untrack file from initramfs **Examples**: ```bash # Track file apt-ostree initramfs-etc --track=/etc/fstab # Untrack file apt-ostree initramfs-etc --untrack=/etc/fstab ``` **Implementation**: - Manages initramfs file tracking - Handles file inclusion/exclusion - Updates initramfs configuration - Manages file state ## Command Architecture ### Daemon-Based Execution All commands follow the same daemon-based architecture: 1. **CLI Parsing**: Parse command-line arguments 2. **Daemon Communication**: Request operation via D-Bus 3. **Fallback Handling**: Use direct system calls if daemon fails 4. **Progress Reporting**: Show operation progress 5. **Result Display**: Display operation results ### Implementation Pattern ```rust // Command execution pattern pub fn execute_command(args: &[String]) -> Result<(), Error> { // 1. Parse arguments let parsed_args = parse_arguments(args)?; // 2. Try daemon communication match connect_to_daemon() { Ok(connection) => { // Use daemon for operation execute_via_daemon(connection, parsed_args)?; } Err(_) => { // Fallback to direct calls execute_direct_calls(parsed_args)?; } } Ok(()) } ``` ## Advanced Features ### JSON Output Many commands support JSON output for programmatic use: ```bash # JSON status output apt-ostree status --json # JSON search output apt-ostree search --json firefox ``` ### Verbose Output Enable detailed output for debugging: ```bash # Verbose upgrade apt-ostree upgrade --verbose # Verbose install apt-ostree install --verbose vim ``` ### OSTree Environment Detection apt-ostree automatically detects if it's running in an OSTree environment: ```bash # Automatic detection apt-ostree status # Error if not in OSTree environment Error: apt-ostree requires an OSTree environment to operate. This system does not appear to be running on an OSTree deployment. To use apt-ostree: 1. Ensure you are running on an OSTree-based system 2. Verify that /ostree directory exists 3. Verify that /run/ostree-booted file exists 4. Ensure you have a valid booted deployment ``` ## Error Handling ### Common Error Scenarios 1. **Network Errors**: Package download failures 2. **Dependency Conflicts**: Package dependency issues 3. **Disk Space**: Insufficient storage space 4. **Permission Errors**: Insufficient privileges 5. **OSTree Errors**: Filesystem operation failures 6. **Non-OSTree Environment**: System not running on OSTree ### Error Recovery - **Automatic Rollback**: Failed operations automatically rollback - **Manual Recovery**: Manual recovery procedures available - **Error Reporting**: Detailed error messages and guidance - **Logging**: Comprehensive logging for debugging ### OSTree Environment Errors When not running in an OSTree environment, apt-ostree provides clear guidance: ``` Error: apt-ostree requires an OSTree environment to operate. This system does not appear to be running on an OSTree deployment. To use apt-ostree: 1. Ensure you are running on an OSTree-based system 2. Verify that /ostree directory exists 3. Verify that /run/ostree-booted file exists 4. Ensure you have a valid booted deployment ``` ## Integration with Other Tools ### GUI Integration - **GNOME Software**: Integration with GNOME Software Center (planned) - **KDE Discover**: Integration with KDE Discover (planned) - **Flatpak**: Integration with Flatpak applications (planned) ### System Integration - **systemd**: Integration with systemd services - **D-Bus**: D-Bus interface for other applications - **PolicyKit**: Authentication and authorization ### APT Integration - **libapt-pkg**: Direct integration with APT package management - **APT Cache**: Integration with APT package cache - **APT Sources**: Integration with APT repository sources ## Performance Considerations ### Optimization Strategies 1. **Parallel Downloads**: Concurrent package downloads via APT 2. **Caching**: Package and metadata caching via APT 3. **Delta Updates**: Incremental update support 4. **Compression**: Efficient data compression ### Resource Usage - **Memory**: Efficient memory usage for large operations - **Disk**: Optimized disk usage through OSTree deduplication - **Network**: Bandwidth optimization for downloads via APT - **CPU**: Parallel processing for package operations ## Security Features ### Package Verification - **GPG Signatures**: Package signature verification via APT - **Checksums**: Package integrity checks - **Secure Downloads**: HTTPS for package downloads ### Access Control - **PolicyKit**: Privileged operation authentication - **User Permissions**: User-specific permissions - **System Policies**: System-wide security policies ### Bubblewrap Sandboxing - **Script Execution**: Package scripts executed in sandboxed environment - **Namespace Isolation**: Process, mount, network namespaces - **Security Controls**: Privilege restrictions - **Atomic Context**: Script execution in atomic context ## APT-Specific Features ### APT Database Integration - **Package Information**: Direct access to APT package database - **Dependency Resolution**: Native APT dependency resolution - **Repository Management**: Integration with APT repository system - **Package Metadata**: Access to APT package metadata ### DEB Package Handling - **Package Extraction**: Direct DEB package extraction - **Control File Parsing**: APT control file parsing - **Script Execution**: DEB package script execution - **Metadata Extraction**: Package metadata extraction ### Multi-Arch Support - **Architecture Detection**: Automatic package architecture detection - **Multi-Arch Types**: Support for same, foreign, allowed - **Conflict Prevention**: Intelligent handling of architecture-specific paths - **Dependency Resolution**: Architecture-aware dependency resolution ## Future Enhancements ### Planned Features 1. **Container Integration**: Direct container support 2. **Cloud Integration**: Cloud deployment support 3. **Advanced Search**: Enhanced search capabilities 4. **Performance Monitoring**: Built-in performance monitoring ### CLI Improvements 1. **Interactive Mode**: Interactive command mode 2. **Command Completion**: Enhanced command completion 3. **Progress Indicators**: Better progress reporting 4. **Configuration Management**: Enhanced configuration options ### APT Enhancements 1. **Advanced Dependency Resolution**: Enhanced dependency handling 2. **Package Conflict Resolution**: Improved conflict resolution 3. **Repository Management**: Enhanced repository management 4. **Package Verification**: Enhanced package verification