# Debian bootc-image-builder Fork Roadmap

## Project Overview
Fork of bootc-image-builder with osbuild backend adapted for Debian-based distributions. This project aims to provide a robust, pipeline-based image building solution for Debian ecosystems, replacing Fedora/RHEL-specific components with Debian equivalents.

## Phase 1: Foundation & Assessment (Weeks 1-4)

### 1.1 Repository Setup
- [ ] Fork bootc-image-builder repository
- [ ] Fork osbuild repository  
- [ ] Set up CI/CD pipeline for Debian testing
- [ ] Create development environment documentation
- [ ] Establish contribution guidelines

### 1.2 Codebase Analysis
- [ ] Map all Fedora-specific osbuild stages
- [ ] Identify RPM/DNF dependencies throughout codebase
- [ ] Document Anaconda installer integration points
- [ ] Catalog bootloader and system configuration differences
- [ ] Create compatibility matrix for existing stages

### 1.3 Architecture Planning
- [ ] Design Debian stage naming convention (org.osbuild.debian.*)
- [ ] Plan APT/DPKG stage implementations
- [ ] Design Calamares integration architecture
- [ ] Define Debian repository handling approach
- [ ] Plan testing strategy for multiple Debian variants

## Phase 2: Core Debian Stages (Weeks 5-12)

### 2.1 Package Management Stages
- [ ] Implement `org.osbuild.debian.sources` (APT sources.list management)
- [ ] Implement `org.osbuild.debian.apt-update` (package index updates)
- [ ] Implement `org.osbuild.debian.apt-install` (package installation)
- [ ] Implement `org.osbuild.debian.dpkg` (direct package handling)
- [ ] Add support for APT preferences and pinning
- [ ] Handle Debian signing keys and security

### 2.2 System Configuration Stages
- [ ] Adapt `org.osbuild.users` for Debian conventions
- [ ] Adapt `org.osbuild.groups` for Debian group standards
- [ ] Implement Debian-specific systemd service management
- [ ] Create `org.osbuild.debian.alternatives` stage
- [ ] Handle Debian configuration file management (debconf)

### 2.3 Bootloader Integration
- [ ] Adapt GRUB2 stages for Debian paths and conventions
- [ ] Support Debian kernel naming conventions
- [ ] Handle initramfs generation (update-initramfs)
- [ ] Support secure boot for Debian
- [ ] Test with different Debian architectures (amd64, arm64)

## Phase 3: Installer Integration (Weeks 13-20)

### 3.1 Calamares Integration
- [ ] Remove Anaconda-specific stages
- [ ] Implement `org.osbuild.calamares` configuration stage
- [ ] Create Calamares settings and branding stages
- [ ] Support Debian live-boot integration
- [ ] Handle Calamares module configuration

### 3.2 ISO Creation Pipeline
- [ ] Adapt bootable ISO stages for Debian live systems
- [ ] Integrate with live-build workflows where beneficial
- [ ] Support multiple desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, XFCE)
- [ ] Handle Debian live persistence options
- [ ] Test installer ISO functionality

### 3.3 Live System Features
- [ ] Implement casper (Ubuntu) compatibility for broader ecosystem
- [ ] Support live system customization stages
- [ ] Handle firmware and driver inclusion
- [ ] Create minimal/standard/full variant support

## Phase 4: Container & Cloud Integration (Weeks 21-28)

### 4.1 Container Image Support
- [ ] Adapt container stages for Debian base images
- [ ] Support Docker/Podman output formats
- [ ] Integrate with Debian official container images
- [ ] Handle multi-architecture container builds
- [ ] Support container layer optimization

### 4.2 Cloud Platform Integration
- [ ] AWS AMI creation with Debian
- [ ] Google Cloud Platform image support
- [ ] Azure VHD image creation
- [ ] OpenStack qcow2 image support
- [ ] Generic cloud-init integration

### 4.3 IoT & Edge Support
- [ ] Raspberry Pi image creation
- [ ] ARM64 SBC support (Pine64, etc.)
- [ ] Minimal/embedded Debian variants
- [ ] Custom partition layouts for embedded systems
- [ ] OTA update preparation stages

## Phase 5: Testing & Validation (Weeks 29-36)

### 5.1 Automated Testing
- [ ] Unit tests for all Debian-specific stages
- [ ] Integration tests with real Debian repositories
- [ ] Automated ISO testing in virtual machines
- [ ] Cloud image deployment validation
- [ ] Performance benchmarking against alternatives

### 5.2 Distribution Coverage
- [ ] Debian Stable (Bookworm) support
- [ ] Debian Testing support
- [ ] Ubuntu LTS compatibility testing
- [ ] Debian derivative testing (Raspberry Pi OS, etc.)
- [ ] Architecture support validation (amd64, arm64, armhf)

### 5.3 Compatibility Testing
- [ ] Bootc compatibility validation
- [ ] Container runtime integration testing
- [ ] Cloud platform deployment testing
- [ ] Hardware compatibility testing
- [ ] Upgrade/migration path validation

## Phase 6: Documentation & Release (Weeks 37-44)

### 6.1 Documentation
- [ ] Complete user documentation
- [ ] Developer contribution guide
- [ ] Stage development tutorial
- [ ] Migration guide from other tools
- [ ] Best practices and examples

### 6.2 Community Building
- [ ] Package for Debian repositories
- [ ] Create example configurations
- [ ] Establish support channels
- [ ] Engage with Debian community
- [ ] Present at relevant conferences

### 6.3 Release Preparation
- [ ] Security audit of codebase
- [ ] Performance optimization
- [ ] Release candidate testing
- [ ] Version 1.0 release
- [ ] Post-release monitoring and support

## Success Metrics

### Technical Goals
- Support all major Debian variants and architectures
- Achieve feature parity with original bootc-image-builder for Debian
- 95% test coverage for Debian-specific stages
- Build times competitive with existing solutions
- Memory usage optimization for resource-constrained environments

### Adoption Goals
- 5+ community contributors by Phase 6
- Package inclusion in Debian repositories
- 3+ downstream projects using the tool
- Positive community feedback and engagement
- Documentation rated as comprehensive by users

## Risk Mitigation

### Technical Risks
- **osbuild API changes**: Pin to stable osbuild version, maintain compatibility layer
- **Debian repository changes**: Implement robust error handling and fallback mechanisms
- **Bootloader complexity**: Start with well-tested configurations, expand gradually
- **Architecture differences**: Use emulation for testing, maintain architecture matrix

### Resource Risks
- **Development capacity**: Prioritize core functionality, defer nice-to-have features
- **Testing infrastructure**: Leverage GitHub Actions, request Debian project resources
- **Community engagement**: Start with existing bootc users, expand to Debian community

## Future Considerations

### Post-1.0 Features
- Integration with Debian's official infrastructure
- Advanced security features (TPM, measured boot)
- Plugin system for custom stages
- Web UI for image configuration
- Integration with Kubernetes and container orchestration

### Long-term Vision
- Become the de facto standard for Debian image building
- Support for immutable Debian variants
- Integration with Debian's release process
- Cross-distribution compatibility framework

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**Last Updated**: August 11, 2025  
**Next Review**: Weekly during active development  
**Project Lead**: [Your Name]  
**Repository**: [Fork URL when created]