Bootc Debian Package Builder

A complete solution for building and distributing bootc .deb packages for Debian/Ubuntu systems with libostree 2025.2-1 compatibility. This repository provides automated CI/CD workflows that build bootc packages and upload them to a Forgejo package repository.

🎯 What This Repository Contains

• Patch: Fixes compatibility with libostree 2025.2-1 on Ubuntu Noble
• Debian Packaging: Complete debian/ directory structure
• Build Script: Automatically clones bootc source and builds .deb
• Install Script: Installs the built package with dependency handling
• CI/CD: Automated build pipeline with package upload to Forgejo
• Package Repository Integration: Automatic upload to Forgejo package registry

Note: The libostree 2025.2-1 packages are available as Debian packages in the Forgejo repository: libostree-dev

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

1. Basic build tools: git, cargo, rustc, pkg-config
2. Ubuntu Noble (24.04 LTS) system
3. libostree 2025.2-1 packages from Forgejo repository

Complete Workflow

# Clone this repository
git clone <your-repo-url> bootc-deb
cd bootc-deb

# Step 1: Install libostree 2025.2-1 packages from Forgejo
curl -fsSL https://git.raines.xyz/api/packages/robojerk/debian/repository.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/forgejo-robojerk.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/forgejo-robojerk.gpg] https://git.raines.xyz/api/packages/robojerk/debian noble main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/forgejo-robojerk.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y libostree-dev=2025.2-1~noble1 libostree-1-1=2025.2-1~noble1

# Step 2: Build the bootc .deb package
./build.sh

# Step 3: Install the package
sudo ./install.sh

Alternative: Test Installation

# Test that libostree packages can be installed
./test-libostree-install.sh

📁 Repository Structure

bootc-deb/
├── bootc-libostree-compatibility.patch    # The compatibility fix
├── build.sh                               # Build script (clones + builds)
├── install.sh                             # Installation script
├── test-libostree-install.sh             # Test libostree package installation
├── test-debian-upload.sh                 # Test package upload functionality
├── libostree-dev_noble_backport.sh        # Legacy backport script (see separate repo)
├── README.md                              # This file
├── .forgejo/                              # CI/CD workflows
│   ├── workflows/
│   │   ├── build-packages.yml             # Full build pipeline with package upload
│   │   ├── test-build.yml                 # Test workflow
│   │   └── update-readme.yml              # README update workflow
└── debian/                                # Debian packaging files
    ├── control                            # Package metadata
    ├── rules                              # Build rules
    ├── changelog                          # Version history
    └── copyright                          # License info

🔧 How It Works

The Complete Process

1. Installs libostree 2025.2-1 from Forgejo package repository
2. Clones bootc source from GitHub (v1.5.1)
3. Applies our patch to fix libostree compatibility
4. Installs build dependencies automatically
5. Builds the .deb package using dpkg-buildpackage
6. Uploads packages to Forgejo package registry
7. Creates release assets for manual download

The Patch

Fixes this issue in crates/lib/src/cli.rs:

// Before (causes build failure):
ostree::SePolicy::set_null_log();

// After (compatible):
// TODO: Re-enable when ostree Rust bindings support set_null_log()
// ostree::SePolicy::set_null_log();

🌍 Usage on Any PC

This repository is designed to work on any Ubuntu Noble system:

# On any PC in the world:
git clone <your-repo-url> bootc-deb
cd bootc-deb

# Install from Forgejo package repository
curl -fsSL https://git.raines.xyz/api/packages/robojerk/debian/repository.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/forgejo-robojerk.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/forgejo-robojerk.gpg] https://git.raines.xyz/api/packages/robojerk/debian noble main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/forgejo-robojerk.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y bootc

The complete workflow will:

• ✅ Install libostree 2025.2-1 from Forgejo repository
• ✅ Install bootc from Forgejo repository
• ✅ All dependencies handled automatically

📦 Package Information

• Package Name: bootc
• Version: 1.5.1-1~noble1
• Target: Ubuntu Noble (24.04 LTS)
• Dependencies: libostree-1-1 (>= 2025.2), systemd, podman|docker.io, skopeo

🔗 Integration with apt-ostree

This packaging is specifically designed for Aurora-style workflow:

1. OCI Image Compatibility: Works with apt-ostree generated images
2. Container Tool Integration: Compatible with podman, skopeo
3. System Integration: Proper Ubuntu Noble integration
4. Version Compatibility: Requires libostree 2025.2-1 (available in Forgejo repository)

Package Repository Integration

Both libostree and bootc packages are available from the Forgejo package repository:

• Repository: libostree-dev
• Package Registry: Forgejo Packages
• Automated builds with CI/CD integration
• Complete dependency chain from libostree to bootc
• Easy installation via standard apt commands

🛠️ Manual Steps (if needed)

If you prefer to build manually:

# 1. Install libostree 2025.2-1 backport (if needed)
# See: https://git.raines.xyz/robojerk/libostree-dev

# 2. Clone bootc source
git clone --depth 1 --branch v1.5.1 https://github.com/containers/bootc.git bootc-1.5.1
cd bootc-1.5.1

# 3. Apply patch
patch -p1 < ../bootc-libostree-compatibility.patch

# 4. Copy packaging files
cp -r ../debian .

# 5. Build package
dpkg-buildpackage -us -uc -b

🔄 Maintenance

Updating Versions

1. Update version in debian/changelog
2. Update version in build.sh
3. Update version in .forgejo/workflows/build-packages.yml
4. Test build process

Updating the Patch

1. Modify bootc-libostree-compatibility.patch
2. Test with ./build.sh
3. Update documentation if needed

CI/CD Automation

This repository includes Forgejo Actions workflows for automated package building and distribution:

• .forgejo/workflows/build-packages.yml: Full build pipeline with package upload to Forgejo
• .forgejo/workflows/test-build.yml: Lightweight testing for development and PRs
• .forgejo/workflows/update-readme.yml: README update workflow

Automated Build Process

1. Triggers: Push to main/master, pull requests, and releases
2. Dependencies: Installs libostree 2025.2-1 from Forgejo repository
3. Build: Builds bootc with libostree compatibility patch
4. Upload: Automatically uploads packages to Forgejo package registry
5. Release Assets: Creates downloadable artifacts for manual installation

Package Repository Integration

• Automatic Upload: Packages are uploaded to Forgejo after successful builds
• Repository Association: Packages are automatically associated with the repository
• Dependency Resolution: Users can install directly via apt with proper dependencies
• Version Management: Each build creates a new package version

Manual Workflow Triggers

You can manually trigger builds in the Forgejo Actions tab:

• Test Build: Quick validation of bootc build process
• Full Build: Complete bootc package build with upload

🎉 Success!

After installation, you'll have:

• ✅ bootc command available system-wide
• ✅ Full functionality with your apt-ostree OCI images
• ✅ Aurora-style workflow ready to use

📋 Troubleshooting

Build Issues

• Missing libostree 2025.2-1: Install from Forgejo repository using the commands in Quick Start
• Build dependencies: The workflow installs them automatically
• Git clone issues: Check internet connection
• Package upload failures: Verify FORGEJO_TOKEN secret is set correctly

Runtime Issues

• Missing runtime dependencies: Run sudo apt-get install -f
• AppArmor denials: Monitor with sudo aa-logprof
• Package installation issues: Ensure Forgejo repository is properly configured

Testing

Use the provided test scripts to verify functionality:

# Test libostree package installation
./test-libostree-install.sh

# Test package upload functionality
./test-debian-upload.sh

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Perfect for distributing bootc as .deb packages on any Ubuntu Noble system with automated CI/CD! 🎉