ADR 0004 — Linux Packaging Toolchain Selection

Status

Accepted

Context

PackagingTools must generate installers for major Linux distribution formats, covering Debian/Ubuntu, RPM-based distros, universal bundles (AppImage), sandboxed stores (Flatpak, Snap), and repository integration. Each ecosystem has established command-line tools that teams already rely on ( dpkg-deb/fpm, rpm/fpm, appimagetool, flatpak-builder, snapcraft). Leveraging these tools preserves distro compatibility and aligns with compliance expectations (GPG signing, sandbox profiles).

Decision

Introduce PackagingTools.Core.Linux housing a pipeline that routes to format providers for DEB, RPM, AppImage, Flatpak, and Snap.
Base initial implementations on wrapper commands (fpm, appimagetool, flatpak-builder, snapcraft) with placeholders where deeper manifest generation is required.
Provide an ILinuxProcessRunner abstraction so execution can occur either locally or via containerized/remote builders.
Gather metadata for repo publishing and sandbox configuration via project properties, ready to feed into specialized providers later.

Consequences

Linux agents must have required CLI tooling installed; bootstrap scripts will detect and install dependencies (apt, dnf, snapcraft, flatpak).
Current format providers include placeholders for payload staging and manifest generation; subsequent milestones will replace them with full implementations.
Additional formats (e.g., OCI images, Helm charts) can be added through plugin providers without altering the architecture.