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roadmap.md

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+This is an exciting and ambitious project\! Based on your goals and chosen tools, here is a detailed roadmap to guide you through building a Debian Atomic Desktop, mirroring the success of `ublue-os` while using the strengths of the Debian ecosystem.
+
+The roadmap is broken down into four distinct phases, from the foundational build to a polished, distributable product.
+
+-----
+
+### Phase 1: Foundation & Core Build (The "Hello, World" Image)
+
+**Goal:** Create a minimal, bootable Debian OSTree image and automate its build. This is your Minimum Viable Product.
+
+**Tools:** `bootc`, `just`, `podman`/`docker`
+
+**Tasks:**
+
+1.  **Project Scaffolding:**
+
+      * Create a new Git repository for your project (e.g., `my-debian-atomic-desktop`).
+      * Create the foundational files: `Containerfile` and `justfile`.
+
+2.  **Define the Base Image (`Containerfile`):**
+
+      * Start with a minimal Debian image.
+      * **Example `Containerfile` snippet:**
+        ```dockerfile
+        FROM debian:trixie
+
+        # Install essential packages
+        RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
+            systemd \
+            dbus \
+            sudo \
+            ...
+        ```
+      * Focus on only the bare minimum for now. Don't add a desktop yet. The goal is to get a working, bootable command line.
+
+3.  **Automate the Build (`justfile`):**
+
+      * Create a simple `justfile` with a recipe to build the container image.
+      * **Example `justfile` snippet:**
+        ```justfile
+        build-image:
+            podman build -t my-debian-atomic:latest .
+
+        # Command to clean up
+        clean:
+            podman rmi my-debian-atomic:latest
+        ```
+
+4.  **Test the Image:**
+
+      * Build the image with `just build-image`.
+      * Test its functionality by deploying it to a VM using `bootc`.
+      * **Example `just` recipe for testing:**
+        ```justfile
+        install-vm:
+            bootc install to-disk --device /dev/sda --replace-os --image my-debian-atomic:latest qemu-system-x86_64 -hda /var/lib/libvirt/images/my-debian.qcow2
+        ```
+      * Verify that you can boot into a working Debian command-line environment.
+
+**Deliverable:** A minimal, bootable Debian `bootc` image and a `justfile` to build and test it.
+
+-----
+
+### Phase 2: Calamares Installer Integration
+
+**Goal:** Create a bootable ISO with a Calamares installer that can deploy your atomic image.
+
+**Tools:** `live-build`, `calamares`
+
+**Tasks:**
+
+1.  **Build a Live ISO Environment:**
+
+      * Use `live-build` to create a minimal live environment.
+      * Configure `live-build` to include the `calamares` package and all its dependencies.
+      * The live environment will also need access to your `bootc` image, either by embedding it in the ISO or pointing to a container registry.
+
+2.  **Configure Calamares:**
+
+      * Create a custom Calamares configuration (a set of `.yml` files).
+      * **The Partitioning Module:** Configure it to create the necessary partitions (e.g., `/boot/efi`, `/`, and a separate `/boot` for `bootc`).
+      * **The `post-install` Module (Crucial Step):** Write a script or configure this module to:
+          * Run the command `bootc install to-disk --device /dev/sda --replace-os --image ghcr.io/your-project/your-image:latest`.
+          * Handle the bootloader installation, which `bootc` can assist with.
+
+3.  **Integrate the Installer Build with `just`:**
+
+      * Add a new recipe to your `justfile` to orchestrate the `live-build` process.
+      * **Example `justfile` recipe:**
+        ```justfile
+        build-iso:
+            ./build_live_iso.sh
+            # The script would use live-build to create the .iso
+
+        test-iso:
+            qemu-system-x86_64 -cdrom my-debian-installer.iso -m 2G
+        ```
+
+**Deliverable:** A bootable `.iso` that presents a Calamares installer, which successfully installs your minimal atomic image.
+
+-----
+
+### Phase 3: Advanced Features (The `ublue-os` Mimicry)
+
+**Goal:** Add a full desktop environment and a robust solution for building kernel modules like the NVIDIA driver.
+
+**Tools:** Multi-stage `Containerfile` builds, `podman`/`docker`
+
+**Tasks:**
+
+1.  **Add a Desktop Environment:**
+
+      * Update your `Containerfile` from Phase 1 to include a full desktop environment. For example, for KDE Plasma:
+        ```dockerfile
+        # Inside the Containerfile
+        RUN apt-get install -y sddm task-kde-desktop
+        ```
+
+2.  **Create the Kernel Module Pipeline:**
+
+      * **Separate Repository:** Create a new repository, for example, `my-debian-atomic-kmods`.
+      * **Build `Containerfile`:** In this new repo, create a `Containerfile` to build the NVIDIA driver from source for a specific Debian kernel version.
+        ```dockerfile
+        # Inside the kmods Containerfile
+        FROM debian:trixie
+        RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) ...
+        RUN cd /path/to/nvidia-source && make KSRC=/usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)
+        # Copy the compiled .ko file to a known location
+        ```
+      * **Build Automation (`justfile`):** Add a `just` recipe to build and push this new `kmods` container image to a registry.
+
+3.  **Integrate the Pre-built Module:**
+
+      * Go back to your main `Containerfile` from Phase 1.
+      * Use a multi-stage build. The first stage pulls from your `kmods` image. The second stage copies the pre-compiled `.ko` file into the main image's `/lib/modules/` directory.
+      * **Example multi-stage `Containerfile` snippet:**
+        ```dockerfile
+        # Stage 1: Build or get the kernel module
+        FROM ghcr.io/your-project/my-debian-atomic-kmods:latest AS kmods-builder
+
+        # Stage 2: Build the final image
+        FROM debian:trixie
+        # ... (rest of your desktop setup) ...
+
+        # Copy the pre-compiled kernel module
+        COPY --from=kmods-builder /path/to/nvidia.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/updates/nvidia.ko
+        RUN depmod -a $(uname -r)
+        ```
+      * This mimics the `ublue-os` approach: the complex build is isolated and the final product simply integrates the finished artifacts.
+
+**Deliverable:** A fully-featured desktop image with an integrated, pre-compiled NVIDIA driver, built using a clean, automated pipeline.
+
+-----
+
+### Phase 4: Polish & Distribution
+
+**Goal:** Make the project ready for others to use and contribute to.
+
+**Tools:** GitHub Actions, Git
+
+**Tasks:**
+
+1.  **Public Repositories:** Ensure your `my-debian-atomic-desktop` and `my-debian-atomic-kmods` repositories are public on a platform like GitHub.
+
+2.  **Set up CI/CD (GitHub Actions):**
+
+      * Create workflows in both repositories to automatically build and push new container images whenever you push code.
+      * Trigger an automatic build of the `kmods` repository whenever a new Debian kernel is released.
+      * Trigger an automatic build of the main desktop image after the `kmods` image has been successfully built and pushed.
+
+3.  **Write Comprehensive Documentation:**
+
+      * Create a `README.md` that explains the project's goals.
+      * Write a guide for users on how to install your desktop using the Calamares ISO.
+      * Document the build process for contributors.
+      * Explain any custom `ujust` commands you include.
+
+4.  **Finalize the User Experience:**
+
+      * Add custom desktop branding, wallpapers, and default application choices.
+      * Add a `ujustfile` inside your main `Containerfile` to provide a user-friendly command line interface for updates and system maintenance.
+
+**Deliverable:** A stable, automated, and well-documented project with a polished user experience, ready for public consumption.