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.