# Particle-OS Development Roadmap

This roadmap outlines the development path for creating a Debian-based immutable operating system following the ublue-os pattern. The goal is to build a complete Debian immutable ecosystem from the ground up.

## Project Vision

**Create the Debian equivalent of the ublue-os ecosystem:**
- **Debian CoreOS** (immutable server OS using `apt-ostree`)
- **Debian Desktop variants** (immutable desktop OS using `apt-ostree`)
- **Complete bootc integration** for Debian systems
- **Modern immutable workflow** following established best practices

## Phase 1: Foundation & Core Technologies 🔄 **IN PROGRESS**

**Goal:** Establish the foundational Debian immutable technologies and create a minimal bootable image.

**Current Status:**
✅ **Completed:**
- `apt-ostree` package - Debian equivalent to `rpm-ostree`
- `deb-bootupd` package - Debian equivalent to `bootupd`
- `debian-bootc-corrected` container - Working bootc image builder
- Basic project infrastructure and testing environment

🔄 **In Progress:**
- Testing `deb-bootupd` functionality
- Validating `apt-ostree` integration
- Building first minimal bootable image

**Tasks:**

1. **Test Core Components** 🔄 **IN PROGRESS**
   - Validate `deb-bootupd` in particle-os VM environment
   - Test `apt-ostree` basic functionality
   - Verify bootc compatibility with Debian base

2. **Create Minimal Bootable Image** 📋 **PLANNED**
   - Start with `debian:trixie-slim` container
   - Install `bootc`, `apt-ostree`, `deb-bootupd`
   - Use `deb-bootupd` to write bootloader
   - Convert to bootable image format (ISO/VHD/raw)

3. **Validate Boot Process** 📋 **PLANNED**
   - Test image boots in VM environment
   - Verify OSTree integration works correctly
   - Confirm rollback capabilities function

**Deliverable:** Working Debian bootc image that can be installed and booted.

---

## Phase 2: Debian CoreOS Foundation

**Goal:** Create a minimal, server-focused Debian immutable OS (equivalent to Fedora CoreOS).

**Approach:** Build on Phase 1 foundation to create a minimal server image.

**Tasks:**

1. **Minimal Server Image**
   - Start with Phase 1 bootable image
   - Add essential server packages (SSH, basic networking)
   - Configure for headless operation
   - Add systemd services for server workloads

2. **Server-Specific Features**
   - Cockpit integration for web-based management
   - Tailscale for secure networking
   - Optional NVIDIA driver support
   - Container runtime (Podman) integration

3. **Testing & Validation**
   - VM deployment testing
   - Server workload validation
   - Performance benchmarking

**Deliverable:** Debian CoreOS equivalent - minimal, immutable server OS.

---

## Phase 3: Desktop Variants (Debian Aurora/Bazzite)

**Goal:** Create specialized desktop images following ublue-os pattern.

**Approach:** Build desktop variants on top of the CoreOS foundation.

**Tasks:**

1. **General Purpose Desktop (Debian Aurora)**
   - KDE Plasma desktop environment
   - Essential productivity applications
   - Light customization and branding
   - Flatpak integration

2. **Gaming Desktop (Debian Bazzite)**
   - Gaming-focused software stack
   - Steam, Lutris, and gaming tools
   - Enhanced hardware support
   - NVIDIA driver integration

3. **Developer Desktop (Debian Bluefin)**
   - Development tools and IDEs
   - Container development environment
   - Git and version control tools
   - Programming language support

**Deliverable:** Multiple specialized desktop images ready for distribution.

---

## Phase 4: Distribution & Ecosystem

**Goal:** Establish the complete Debian immutable ecosystem and distribution pipeline.

**Tasks:**

1. **Container Registry**
   - Host all images in container registry
   - Automated builds and testing
   - Version management and tagging

2. **Installation Media**
   - Bootable ISO creation
   - Calamares installer integration
   - Automated deployment tools

3. **Documentation & Community**
   - User guides and tutorials
   - Developer documentation
   - Community contribution guidelines
   - Troubleshooting resources

**Deliverable:** Complete, distributable Debian immutable ecosystem.

---

## Technical Architecture

### Base Image Strategy
```
debian:trixie-slim → bootc image → bootable OS
```

### Technology Stack
- **Base:** `debian:trixie-slim`
- **Immutable Layer:** `apt-ostree` (your project)
- **Bootloader Management:** `deb-bootupd` (your project)
- **Container Integration:** `bootc`
- **Image Building:** `bootc-image-builder`

### Key Differences from ublue-os
- **Base:** Debian instead of Fedora
- **Package System:** APT/DPKG instead of RPM
- **OSTree:** `apt-ostree` instead of `rpm-ostree`
- **Bootloader:** `deb-bootupd` instead of `bootupd`

---

## Success Metrics

### Phase 1 Success
- [ ] `deb-bootupd` successfully manages bootloaders
- [ ] `apt-ostree` provides immutable Debian base
- [ ] Minimal image boots and functions correctly
- [ ] OSTree rollback works as expected

### Phase 2 Success
- [ ] Server image deploys successfully
- [ ] Basic server workloads run correctly
- [ ] Management tools (Cockpit, etc.) function
- [ ] Performance meets or exceeds traditional Debian

### Phase 3 Success
- [ ] Desktop variants boot and function
- [ ] User experience matches or exceeds traditional desktops
- [ ] Gaming and development workflows work smoothly
- [ ] Customization and branding are consistent

### Phase 4 Success
- [ ] Complete ecosystem is distributable
- [ ] Installation process is user-friendly
- [ ] Documentation is comprehensive
- [ ] Community can contribute and build

---

## Current Focus

**Immediate Priority:** Complete Phase 1 by testing `deb-bootupd` and creating the first minimal bootable image.

**Next Steps:**
1. Test `deb-bootupd` in particle-os VM
2. Build minimal `debian:trixie-slim` → bootc image
3. Validate boot process and OSTree functionality
4. Document the process for future phases

---

## Key Questions to Investigate

As we build the Debian immutable ecosystem, these questions need answers to ensure we have all necessary tools:

### **1. Update Management Strategy**
- **Question:** Does `apt-ostree` handle updates like `rpm-ostree` does?
- **Why Important:** Determines if we need additional update management tools
- **Investigation Needed:** Test `apt-ostree` update capabilities vs. `rpm-ostree`

### **2. First-Boot Provisioning**
- **Question:** Do you need a Debian equivalent to `ignition` for first-boot setup?
- **Why Important:** Fedora CoreOS uses `ignition` for declarative configuration
- **Investigation Needed:** Determine how Debian systems handle initial configuration

### **3. Image Building Tools**
- **Question:** Is `bootc-image-builder` sufficient, or do you need something like `cosa`?
- **Why Important:** ublue-os uses `cosa` (CoreOS Assembler) for building images
- **Investigation Needed:** Compare capabilities of both tools

### **4. Application Delivery**
- **Question:** How will applications be delivered? Flatpak integration like ublue-os?
- **Why Important:** ublue-os heavily integrates Flatpak for application management
- **Investigation Needed:** Plan Flatpak integration strategy for Debian

### **5. Container Runtime Integration**
- **Question:** How deeply should `podman` be integrated into the base system?
- **Why Important:** ublue-os integrates container tools heavily
- **Investigation Needed:** Determine optimal level of container integration

**Status:** These questions will be answered incrementally as we progress through Phase 1 and begin building the minimal image.

This roadmap represents a fundamental shift from building complex custom packages to using established tools and following proven patterns. The result will be a cleaner, more maintainable, and more aligned Debian immutable ecosystem.