particle-os/roadmap.md

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.