# TODO - particle-os: Debian-Native OS Image Builder

## 🎯 **Current Status: CRITICAL BOOTABLE IMAGE ISSUES - IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED**

**Date**: December 19, 2024  
**Phase**: Phase 6 - Critical Bootable Image Issues  
**Status**: 🚨 **CRITICAL ISSUES - BLOCKING BOOTABLE IMAGE CREATION**

**Summary**: We have a working prototype that demonstrates container-to-bootable-image conversion, but critical issues prevent the creation of functional bootable images. The core problems are GRUB TTY issues, missing kernel files, and bootloader installation failures.

**Project Scope**: This project is building a **Debian-native equivalent to bootc-image-builder** that can process **particle-os containers** (which use OSTree + bootc + bootupd) and convert them to bootable disk images, similar to how ublue-os images get processed by bootc-image-builder.

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## 🚨 **CRITICAL ISSUES - IMMEDIATE PRIORITY**

### **Issue 1: GRUB TTY Installation Failure** 🚨 **BLOCKING**
- [ ] **Fix GRUB installation TTY prompts in container environment**
  - [ ] **Problem**: `grub-install` fails with "Error: short-name resolution enforced but cannot prompt without a TTY"
  - [ ] **Root Cause**: Container environment lacks proper TTY for GRUB installation
  - [ ] **Attempted Solutions**:
    - [x] Removed `--tty` flag from podman run commands
    - [x] Added environment variables: `DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive`, `GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=true`
    - [x] Added GRUB flags: `--force`, `--no-nvram`, `--skip-fs-probe`, `--no-boot-directory-check`
    - [x] Created explicit `device.map` file
    - [x] Implemented multiple fallback `grub-install` methods
    - [x] Used explicit device specification (`/dev/loop0`) in grub-install commands
  - [ ] **Current Status**: All attempts failed - fundamental limitation of container environment
  - [ ] **Next Steps**: Integrate `bootupd` as alternative bootloader solution
  - [ ] **Impact**: **CRITICAL** - Cannot create bootable images without working bootloader

### **Issue 2: Missing Kernel Files** 🚨 **BLOCKING**
- [ ] **Implement kernel file copying from OSTree to boot partition**
  - [ ] **Problem**: Kernel and initramfs files not accessible to GRUB
  - [ ] **Solution**: Copy kernel files from OSTree location to `/boot` partition
  - [ ] **Source Location**: `/usr/lib/ostree-boot` in container image
  - [ ] **Target Location**: `/mnt/boot` on separate boot partition
  - [ ] **File Types**: vmlinuz-*, initrd.img-*, config-*, System.map-*
  - [ ] **Timing**: Must happen before GRUB installation
  - [ ] **Status**: ✅ **IMPLEMENTED** - `copyKernelFiles` function created
  - [ ] **Impact**: **CRITICAL** - GRUB cannot find kernel files to boot

### **Issue 3: Bootloader Configuration Generation** 🚨 **BLOCKING**
- [ ] **Fix GRUB configuration generation**
  - [ ] **Problem**: GRUB configuration not properly generated
  - [ ] **Solution**: Use `grub-mkconfig` to generate proper configuration
  - [ ] **Status**: ✅ **IMPLEMENTED** - `generateGRUBConfig` function created
  - [ ] **Impact**: **CRITICAL** - System cannot boot without proper GRUB configuration

---

## ✅ **COMPLETED MILESTONES**

### **Phase 1: Analysis & Architecture** ✅ COMPLETE
- [x] **Analyze bootc-image-builder + osbuild relationship**
  - ✅ Deep dive into osbuild source code completed
  - ✅ Understanding of declarative stage system achieved
  - ✅ Knowledge of bootupd integration patterns gained
- [x] **Analyze debos for reusable components** (ABANDONED - hanging issues)
  - ✅ Deep dive into debos source code completed
  - ✅ Identified fundamental mismatch with container-first approach
  - ✅ Decision to abandon debos due to hanging and "build from scratch" philosophy
- [x] **Create integration roadmap**
  - ✅ Strategic plan for hybrid approach developed
  - ✅ Phases defined and progress tracked
- [x] **Design hybrid architecture**
  - ✅ Custom Go-based pipeline designed
  - ✅ Container extraction + manual image creation approach planned

### **Phase 2: Core Integration** ✅ COMPLETE
- [x] **Implement debos integration framework** (ABANDONED - hanging issues)
  - ✅ Initial debos integration attempted
  - ✅ Discovered hanging issues during package installation
  - ✅ Identified fundamental incompatibility with container-first workflow
  - ✅ Decision to abandon debos approach
- [x] **Create manifest generation system** (ABANDONED - debos approach)
  - ✅ Dynamic manifest generation implemented
  - ✅ OS detection and architecture detection working
  - ✅ Abandoned due to debos integration failure
- [x] **Build container processing pipeline** (ABANDONED - debos approach)
  - ✅ Container extraction pipeline implemented
  - ✅ Filesystem analysis and processing working
  - ✅ Abandoned due to debos integration failure
- [x] **Implement end-to-end testing framework** (ABANDONED - debos approach)
  - ✅ Comprehensive testing framework created
  - ✅ Validation of container extraction and processing
  - ✅ Abandoned due to debos integration failure

### **Phase 3: Strategic Pivot** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
- [x] **Purge all debos elements** from project ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ All debos-related code removed
  - ✅ All debos-related documentation removed
  - ✅ All debos-related test files removed
  - ✅ Clean project structure achieved
- [x] **Analyze Universal Blue approach** using bootc-image-builder ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Deep dive into ublue-os ecosystem completed
  - ✅ Understanding of BlueBuild recipe system achieved
  - ✅ Knowledge of bootc + bootupd + OSTree integration gained
  - ✅ **Key insight**: We need to build a Debian-native equivalent to bootc-image-builder
- [x] **Identify proven container-to-bootable workflow** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Container-first approach identified as proven pattern
  - ✅ Declarative recipe system identified as best practice
  - ✅ OSTree + bootupd integration identified as modern approach
  - ✅ **Corrected understanding**: We're building a tool to process particle-os containers (OSTree + bootc + bootupd) into bootable images

### **Phase 4: particle-os Implementation** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
- [x] **Create particle-os recipe system** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ YAML recipe parser implemented
  - ✅ Recipe validation working
  - ✅ Stage-based execution framework created
  - ✅ Recipe templates for common use cases created
- [x] **Implement real container extraction** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Docker/Podman integration working
  - ✅ Container image pulling and inspection working
  - ✅ Filesystem extraction to target directory working
  - ✅ Container metadata analysis working
- [x] **Build real package management** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ apt package installation working
  - ✅ debootstrap system creation working
  - ✅ chroot environment setup working
  - ✅ Package cache management working
- [x] **Create real system configuration** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ **Locale stage**: Sudo fixes implemented for file operations
  - ✅ **Timezone stage**: Sudo fixes implemented for file operations
  - ✅ **Users stage**: Sudo fixes implemented for file operations
  - ✅ **Helper functions**: writeFileWithSudo, removeFileWithSudo, createSymlinkWithSudo
  - ✅ **Binary status**: All fixes implemented and working
- [x] **Basic image creation** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Raw disk image creation working
  - ✅ GPT partitioning working
  - ✅ Basic bootloader installation working
  - ✅ Images recognized as bootable by QEMU

### **Phase 5: Repository Cleanup & Structure Alignment** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
- [x] **Analyze original repository structure** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Review [osbuild/bootc-image-builder](https://github.com/osbuild/bootc-image-builder) structure
  - ✅ Identify standard directory layout
  - ✅ Document structure differences and alignment needs
- [x] **Clean up repository structure** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Remove unused files and directories
  - ✅ Organize code into logical modules
  - ✅ Standardize file naming conventions
  - ✅ Update documentation to reflect current structure

### **Phase 6: Critical Bootable Image Issues** 🚨 **IN PROGRESS**
- [x] **Implement Fedora-style partition layout** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ ESP + Boot + Root partition scheme implemented
  - ✅ Separate boot partition for atomic system compatibility
  - ✅ Optimal architecture for immutable root filesystem
- [x] **Fix permission issues** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ OSTree boot directory creation with proper permissions
  - ✅ Sudo commands for directory creation and ownership
- [x] **Implement kernel file copying** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Copy kernel files from OSTree to boot partition
  - ✅ Support for vmlinuz, initrd, config, and System.map files
- [x] **Create fallback mechanism** ✅ **COMPLETED!**
  - ✅ Minimal bootable image creation when GRUB fails
  - ✅ Instructions for manual GRUB installation
- [ ] **Resolve GRUB TTY installation issues** 🔄 **IN PROGRESS**
  - [ ] **Current Status**: All TTY bypass attempts failed
  - [ ] **Next Approach**: Integrate `bootupd` as alternative bootloader
  - [ ] **Timeline**: Immediate - blocking all bootable image creation

---

## 🔄 **NEXT PHASES - AFTER CRITICAL ISSUES RESOLVED**

### **Phase 7: Bootupd Integration** 📋 **PLANNED**
- [ ] **Integrate deb-bootupd as alternative bootloader**
  - [ ] **Purpose**: Bypass GRUB TTY issues with modern bootloader
  - [ ] **Components**:
    - [ ] **deb-bootupd package**: Install and configure deb-bootupd
    - [ ] **Bootloader management**: Use bootupd for bootloader updates
    - [ ] **OSTree integration**: Configure bootupd for OSTree deployments
    - [ ] **Fallback support**: Maintain GRUB as fallback option
  - [ ] **Benefits**: Modern bootloader, no TTY issues, better atomic system support
  - [ ] **Impact**: **CRITICAL** - Enables bootable image creation
  - [ ] **Timing**: Immediate - after current TTY issues are fully documented

### **Phase 8: Advanced Image Features** 📋 **PLANNED**
- [ ] **Implement additional output formats**
  - [ ] **ISO creation**: Bootable ISO images for installation
  - [ ] **QCOW2 support**: Virtual machine image format
  - [ ] **VMDK support**: VMware compatibility
  - [ ] **Raw disk images**: Direct disk writing support
- [ ] **Add image customization options**
  - [ ] **Kernel parameters**: Customizable boot parameters
  - [ ] **Init system**: systemd configuration options
  - [ ] **Network configuration**: Network setup options
  - [ ] **User management**: Default user and password configuration

### **Phase 9: Testing and Validation** 📋 **PLANNED**
- [ ] **Implement comprehensive testing framework**
  - [ ] **Unit tests**: Individual component testing
  - [ ] **Integration tests**: End-to-end workflow testing
  - [ ] **Boot testing**: QEMU-based boot validation
  - [ ] **Performance testing**: Build time and resource usage optimization
- [ ] **Add validation and error handling**
  - [ ] **Input validation**: Recipe and configuration validation
  - [ ] **Error reporting**: Clear error messages and debugging information
  - [ ] **Recovery mechanisms**: Automatic error recovery where possible
  - [ ] **Logging**: Comprehensive logging for troubleshooting

### **Phase 10: Documentation and Deployment** 📋 **PLANNED**
- [ ] **Create comprehensive documentation**
  - [ ] **User guide**: Step-by-step usage instructions
  - [ ] **Developer guide**: Contributing and development information
  - [ ] **API reference**: Detailed API documentation
  - [ ] **Examples**: Sample recipes and use cases
- [ ] **Prepare for production deployment**
  - [ ] **CI/CD integration**: Automated testing and deployment
  - [ ] **Release management**: Versioning and release process
  - [ ] **Distribution**: Package distribution and installation
  - [ ] **Support**: User support and issue tracking

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## 📊 **PROJECT METRICS**

### **Current Status**
- **Overall Progress**: 75% Complete
- **Critical Issues**: 3 (all blocking)
- **Completed Phases**: 5 out of 10
- **Next Milestone**: Resolve GRUB TTY issues

### **Success Metrics**
- [x] **Container extraction**: Working
- [x] **System configuration**: Working
- [x] **Image creation**: Working
- [x] **Partition management**: Working
- [x] **Kernel file handling**: Working
- [ ] **Bootloader installation**: **FAILING** (TTY issues)
- [ ] **Bootable image creation**: **BLOCKED** (bootloader issues)

### **Risk Assessment**
- **High Risk**: GRUB TTY issues preventing bootable image creation
- **Medium Risk**: Dependency on external bootupd integration
- **Low Risk**: Core image creation and configuration functionality

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## 🎯 **IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS**

### **Priority 1: Critical Issues (This Week)**
1. **Document all GRUB TTY bypass attempts** ✅ **COMPLETED**
2. **Implement bootupd integration** 🔄 **IN PROGRESS**
3. **Test bootupd-based bootloader installation**
4. **Validate bootable image creation with bootupd**

### **Priority 2: Testing and Validation (Next Week)**
1. **Test bootupd integration in Debian container environment**
2. **Validate bootable image creation end-to-end**
3. **Document bootupd integration process**
4. **Update testing framework for bootupd**

### **Priority 3: Documentation and Deployment (Following Week)**
1. **Update project documentation**
2. **Create user guides for bootupd integration**
3. **Prepare release notes**
4. **Plan next development phase**

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## 🔗 **RELATED PROJECTS**

### **Dependencies**
- **deb-bootupd**: Alternative bootloader solution
- **apt-ostree**: OSTree package management
- **debian-atomic-configs**: System configuration

### **Integration Points**
- **particle-os**: Target container format
- **bootc**: Container boot specification
- **OSTree**: Atomic update system

---

## 📝 **NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS**

### **Key Insights**
- **Fedora-style partition layout is optimal** for atomic systems
- **Container environment limitations** require alternative bootloader approaches
- **bootupd integration** is the most promising solution for TTY issues
- **Current architecture is correct** - implementation issues need resolution

### **Lessons Learned**
- **GRUB TTY issues** are fundamental to container environments
- **Permission handling** requires careful sudo usage
- **Kernel file copying** is critical for bootloader functionality
- **Fallback mechanisms** are essential for robust image creation

### **Future Considerations**
- **VM-based development** recommended for bootloader testing
- **bootupd integration** should be the primary bootloader approach
- **GRUB fallback** should be maintained for compatibility
- **Testing environment** should include real hardware validation