# ARM64 Static NIP Build - Success Report

## Final Status: ✅ **COMPLETE**

### Binary Specifications
- **Path**: `/home/markus/zWork/_Git/Nexus/core/nip/build/arm64/nip`
- **Size**: 30MB
- **Architecture**: ARM aarch64, statically linked
- **Build Date**: 2025-12-28 23:27

### Integrated Components
1. **LibreSSL 3.8.2** (20MB total)
   - `libssl.a` (3.5MB)
   - `libcrypto.a` (16MB)
   - `libtls.a` (550KB)
2. **Zstd 1.5.5** - `libzstd.a` (1.2MB)
3. **Custom OpenSSL Shim** - `openssl_shim.o` (1.4KB)
   - Bridges LibreSSL macros (`SSL_in_init`) to function symbols
4. **NimCrypto** - BLAKE2b only (SHA2/NEON removed)

### Build Method: Manual Linking ("Iron Hand" Protocol)
**Root Cause**: Nim's cross-compilation dropped the `-o` output flag from linker invocation.

**Solution**:
1. Nim compiled 289 ARM64 `.o` files successfully
2. Created C shim to bridge LibreSSL macro→function gap
3. Manually invoked `aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc` with all objects + shim
4. Forced static linking with proper library order

### Verification Results
```
✅ Structure: STATIC (no dynamic dependencies)
✅ No libcrypto.so dlopen references  
✅ BuildID: 4ed2d90fcb6fc82d52429bed63bd1cb378993582
```

### NexBox Integration
- **Image Size**: 62,469 blocks (30MB+ initramfs)
- **Status**: Built successfully
- **Next**: Boot test + Warhead Test II (pack/extract cycle)

### Time Investment
- **LibreSSL/Zstd Static Build**: ~2 hours
- **Nim `-o` Flag Investigation**: ~1.5 hours
- **Manual Linking + Shim**: ~1 hour
- **Total**: ~4.5 hours

### Key Files Created
1. `/home/markus/zWork/_Git/Nexus/core/nip/src/openssl_shim.c` - Macro bridge
2. `/home/markus/zWork/_Git/Nexus/core/nip/link_manual.sh` - Manual linker
3. `/home/markus/zWork/_Git/Nexus/core/nexus/vendor/libressl-3.8.2/` - ARM64 static libs
4. `/home/markus/zWork/_Git/Nexus/core/nexus/vendor/zstd-1.5.5/` - ARM64 static lib

