debian-forge/docs/debian/debian-forge-roadmap.md

Debian Forge: Realistic Development Roadmap

Project Overview

Debian Forge is a Debian atomic build system that combines:

• OSBuild architecture (forked and modified for Debian)
• debos logic (for Debian package management)
• Koji-like orchestration (for build management)

Development Phases

Phase 1: Foundation and Analysis (Weeks 1-6)

Week 1-2: Project Setup

• Set up development environment
• Fork OSBuild repository
• Download and analyze debos source code
• Set up basic project structure

Week 3-4: Code Analysis

• Analyze OSBuild architecture and identify Fedora-specific components
• Map debos functionality to OSBuild components
• Identify integration points between OSBuild and Koji-like functionality
• Document current architecture and planned changes

Week 5-6: Planning and Design

• Design Debian-specific component architecture
• Plan Koji-like orchestration system
• Define interfaces between components
• Create detailed technical specifications

Deliverables: Project structure, architecture documentation, technical specifications

Phase 2: Core OSBuild Modification (Weeks 7-18)

Week 7-10: Package Management Layer

• Replace RPM package management with Debian package management
• Integrate debos package handling logic
• Implement Debian repository handling
• Test basic package operations

Week 11-14: Build Environment Integration

• Replace Mock integration with sbuild/pbuilder integration
• Implement Debian build environment setup
• Test build environment creation and management
• Validate package building in Debian environments

Week 15-18: OSTree Composition

• Adapt OSTree composition for Debian packages
• Test OSTree commit creation from Debian packages
• Validate filesystem composition
• Test basic atomic functionality

Deliverables: Modified OSBuild with Debian package support, working OSTree composition

Phase 3: Build Orchestration (Weeks 19-30)

Week 19-22: Basic Orchestration

• Implement build scheduling system
• Add build queue management
• Implement basic resource allocation
• Test build submission and tracking

Week 23-26: Build Management

• Add build status tracking
• Implement build logging and monitoring
• Add build history and artifact management
• Test complete build lifecycle

Week 27-30: Environment Management

• Implement isolated build environment management
• Add build host monitoring and health checks
• Implement build environment cleanup
• Test environment isolation and management

Deliverables: Working build orchestration system, build environment management

Phase 4: Integration and Testing (Weeks 31-42)

Week 31-34: System Integration

• Integrate modified OSBuild with orchestration system
• Test complete build pipeline from submission to completion
• Validate multi-stage build workflows
• Test error handling and recovery

Week 35-38: Output Generation

• Test image generation (ISO, QCOW2, RAW)
• Validate bootc container creation
• Test multi-format output generation
• Validate image bootability

Week 39-42: Performance and Stability

• Performance testing and optimization
• Stress testing with multiple concurrent builds
• Bug fixing and stability improvements
• Documentation updates

Deliverables: Integrated system, working image generation, performance optimization

Phase 5: Web Interface and Production Features (Weeks 43-54)

Week 43-46: Basic Web UI

• Implement basic web interface for build management
• Add build status monitoring
• Implement build submission forms
• Test web interface functionality

Week 47-50: Advanced Web Features

• Add build history and search
• Implement user management and permissions
• Add system administration interface
• Test complete web interface

Week 51-54: Production Readiness

• Security testing and hardening
• Performance optimization for production loads
• Documentation completion
• Deployment preparation

Deliverables: Web interface, production-ready system, complete documentation

Resource Requirements

Development Team

• 1 Senior Developer: OSBuild modification and integration
• 1 Developer: Build orchestration and Koji-like functionality
• 1 Developer: Web interface and user experience
• 1 DevOps Engineer: Build environment and deployment

Infrastructure

• Development Environment: Debian-based development machines
• Build Hosts: Multiple build environments for testing
• Testing Infrastructure: Virtual machines for image testing
• CI/CD Pipeline: Automated testing and deployment

Dependencies

• OSBuild: Fork and modify existing codebase
• debos: Extract and integrate Debian logic
• OSTree: Core atomic functionality
• bootc: Container creation and management

Risk Factors

Technical Risks

• OSBuild Complexity: OSBuild may be more complex than anticipated
• Integration Challenges: Combining three different systems may have unexpected issues
• Performance: Atomic builds may be slower than traditional builds
• Compatibility: Debian packages may have edge cases not handled by debos

Timeline Risks

• Scope Creep: Adding features beyond core functionality
• Integration Delays: Unexpected issues when combining systems
• Testing Complexity: Atomic systems require more thorough testing
• Documentation: Comprehensive documentation takes time

Resource Risks

• Developer Availability: Team members may have other commitments
• Infrastructure Issues: Build environment setup may be complex
• Dependency Changes: Upstream projects may change significantly

Success Criteria

Phase 1 Success

• Complete project setup and analysis
• Clear understanding of integration requirements
• Detailed technical specifications

Phase 2 Success

• Modified OSBuild with Debian package support
• Working OSTree composition for Debian packages
• Basic atomic functionality validation

Phase 3 Success

• Working build orchestration system
• Build environment management
• Complete build lifecycle support

Phase 4 Success

• Integrated system with working build pipeline
• Image generation and bootc container creation
• Performance and stability validation

Phase 5 Success

• Production-ready system with web interface
• Complete documentation and deployment guide
• Community adoption and feedback

Timeline Summary

• Total Duration: 54 weeks (approximately 13 months)
• Phase 1: 6 weeks (Foundation and Analysis)
• Phase 2: 12 weeks (Core OSBuild Modification)
• Phase 3: 12 weeks (Build Orchestration)
• Phase 4: 12 weeks (Integration and Testing)
• Phase 5: 12 weeks (Web Interface and Production)

Next Steps

1. Immediate: Set up development environment and fork OSBuild
2. Week 1-2: Begin code analysis and architecture planning
3. Week 3-4: Complete analysis and start design phase
4. Week 5-6: Finalize technical specifications and begin implementation

This roadmap provides a realistic path to a working Debian Forge system while acknowledging the complexity of integrating three different build systems and the time required for thorough testing and validation.