# Enhanced CLI Interface - System Synthesis Engine ## Overview The Enhanced CLI Interface transforms NimPak from a functional package manager into a **System Synthesis Engine** - a revolutionary approach to package management that treats packages as immutable variant fingerprints derived from complete build configurations. This implementation provides unprecedented control, security, and reproducibility by introducing: - **Variant Fingerprints**: Immutable package identity based on complete build tuple - **Content Addressable Storage (CAS)**: Filesystem integration with atomic operations - **Real-Time Integrity Monitoring**: Continuous tamper detection with visual indicators - **Build-from-Source**: Structured KDL recipes with typed features and constraints - **Multi-Repository Intelligence**: Unified state management across backends ## Key Features ### 1. Multi-Repository Search with Variant Intelligence ```bash # Enhanced search across all repositories nip search nginx # JSON output for automation nip search nginx --json # Repository-specific filtering nip search nginx --repo=aur ``` **Features:** - Unified search across all configured repositories (arch/core, aur, nixpkgs) - Variant information with CAS paths and installation status - Visual status indicators (✅ installed, ⬆ update available, ◻ available, ⛔ masked) - Complete build configuration visibility - Structured output formats (JSON, porcelain) for automation ### 2. CAS-Aware Package Listing ```bash # List all installed packages with CAS information nip list # Short alias with pattern filtering nip ls nginx # Show only tampered packages nip ls --tampered # JSON output for scripting nip ls --json ``` **Features:** - Content Addressable Storage path visibility (`/Programs//-/`) - Real-time integrity monitoring with tamper detection - Installation timestamps, filesystem sizes, and repository origins - Pattern filtering without external tools - Visual integrity indicators (🔴 TAMPERED, ⚠️ USER-MODIFIED, ✅ VERIFIED) ### 3. Comprehensive Package Information ```bash # Detailed package information nip show nginx # Show specific variant nip show nginx --variant=abc123def456 # Include feature and dependency information nip show nginx --features --deps ``` **Features:** - Complete package metadata with variant information - Build configuration details (toolchain, target, features, flags) - Dependency graphs with CAS path references - Installation statistics and integrity status - Build provenance and configuration hierarchy ### 4. Content Addressable Storage Operations ```bash # Find CAS location for package nip where nginx # List files owned by package nip files nginx # Show both CAS storage and active symlink paths nip files nginx --json ``` **Features:** - Direct CAS filesystem path lookup - File ownership resolution with symlink mapping - Complete file inventory with integrity hashes - Atomic package operations through CAS isolation ### 5. Variant Fingerprint System ```bash # Calculate variant fingerprint nip variant id nginx +http2 ssl=openssl # With specific toolchain and target nip variant id nginx --toolchain=clang-18 --target=aarch64-linux-gnu # Apply build flavor nip variant id nginx --flavor=hardened ``` **Features:** - BLAKE3-based variant fingerprinting from complete build configuration - Deterministic package identity including source, version, patches, toolchain, target, features, and flags - CAS path generation from variant fingerprints - Build configuration validation and constraint checking ### 6. Build System with Feature Resolution ```bash # Build with feature configuration nip build nginx +http2 -lua ssl=openssl # Apply build flavor nip build nginx --flavor=hardened # Explain build configuration nip build nginx --explain ``` **Features:** - Structured KDL recipe system with typed features - Feature constraint satisfaction (requires, conflicts, provides) - Hierarchical configuration resolution (CLI > workspace > host > global) - Build flavor system (release, hardened, dev, lto-full, sanitized) - Complete build provenance tracking ### 7. Build Flavor Management ```bash # List available build flavors nip flavor list # Detailed flavor information nip flavor list --detailed ``` **Available Flavors:** - **release**: Optimized release build (-O2, LTO thin) - **hardened**: Security-hardened build (PIE, RELRO, SSP) - **dev**: Development build with debug info (-O0, -g) - **lto-full**: Full LTO optimization (-O3, -flto) - **sanitized**: Build with sanitizers (AddressSanitizer, UBSan) ### 8. Real-Time Integrity Monitoring ```bash # Verify all packages nip verify # Verify specific package nip verify nginx # Deep verification with repair options nip verify --deep --repair # JSON output for automation nip verify nginx --json ``` **Features:** - Real-time tamper detection using BLAKE3 hash verification - Visual integrity indicators throughout CLI interface - File-level modification tracking with timestamps - Remediation options (restore, rebuild, quarantine, mark user-modified) - Security event logging for forensic analysis ### 9. Forensic Diagnosis and System Health ```bash # Comprehensive system diagnosis nip diagnose # Focus on specific areas nip diagnose --integrity --performance --security # Structured output for monitoring nip diagnose --json ``` **Features:** - Comprehensive system health analysis - Integrity violation detection and reporting - Performance issue identification - Security alert monitoring - Actionable recommendations for system maintenance ## Architecture ### Variant Fingerprint System The core innovation is treating the variant fingerprint as the fundamental package identity: ``` Variant Fingerprint = BLAKE3( source_url + source_hash + version + patches + toolchain_spec + target_triple + feature_selections + build_flags + recipe_hash ) ``` This fingerprint serves dual purposes: 1. **Unique Identity**: Distinguishes between different configurations of the same package 2. **Filesystem Path**: Determines the CAS storage location ### Content Addressable Storage Layout ``` /Programs/ ├── nginx/ │ ├── 1.27.1-abc123def456/ # Variant with default features │ │ ├── usr/bin/nginx │ │ ├── etc/nginx/ │ │ └── .nip-manifest.json # Variant metadata │ ├── 1.27.1-def456abc123/ # Variant with +brotli +http2 │ │ ├── usr/bin/nginx │ │ ├── etc/nginx/ │ │ └── .nip-manifest.json │ └── 1.28.0-789abc012def/ # Different version ├── vim/ │ ├── 9.1.1623-456def789abc/ # Built with clang │ └── 9.1.1623-789abc456def/ # Built with gcc └── .nip-registry/ # Global CAS metadata ├── variants.db # Variant registry ├── integrity.db # Hash verification data └── symlinks.db # Active symlink mappings ``` ### Real-Time Integrity Monitoring The integrity monitoring system provides continuous tamper detection: 1. **File Watching**: Monitor CAS paths for modifications using inotify/fsevents 2. **Hash Verification**: Recalculate BLAKE3 hashes on file changes 3. **Immediate Alerts**: Flag tampering in real-time for CLI commands 4. **Forensic Logging**: Record all integrity violations with timestamps ## Implementation Status ### ✅ Completed Features 1. **Enhanced CLI Interface**: Complete command structure with variant awareness 2. **Search System**: Multi-repository search with CAS path integration 3. **Package Listing**: CAS-aware listing with real-time integrity monitoring 4. **Package Information**: Comprehensive metadata with variant details 5. **Variant System**: Fingerprint calculation and CAS path management 6. **Build System**: Feature resolution and build flavor management 7. **Security Integration**: Real-time integrity monitoring and verification 8. **Structured Output**: JSON and porcelain formats for automation ### 🔧 Core Infrastructure Implemented - **Variant Fingerprint Calculation**: BLAKE3-based deterministic hashing - **CAS Path Management**: Filesystem layout and path generation - **Feature Resolution Engine**: Constraint satisfaction and validation - **Build Flavor System**: Predefined configurations with flag management - **Security Status Integration**: Visual indicators and tamper detection - **Output Format System**: Multiple formats for different use cases ### 📋 Ready for Production The Enhanced CLI Interface is ready for production deployment with: - Complete command coverage for all major package operations - Real-time integrity monitoring with visual feedback - Comprehensive variant fingerprint system - Build-from-source capabilities with feature resolution - Multi-format output for automation integration - Security-first design with tamper detection ## Usage Examples ### Basic Package Management ```bash # Search for packages nip search nginx nip search web-server --repo=aur # List installed packages nip list nip ls --tampered # Show package details nip show nginx nip show nginx --features ``` ### Variant Management ```bash # Calculate variant fingerprint nip variant id nginx +http2 ssl=openssl nip variant id nginx --flavor=hardened # Find package location nip where nginx nip files nginx ``` ### Build System ```bash # Build with features nip build nginx +http2 -lua ssl=openssl nip build nginx --flavor=hardened --toolchain=clang-18 # Manage build flavors nip flavor list ``` ### Security and Integrity ```bash # Verify packages nip verify nip verify nginx --deep # System diagnosis nip diagnose nip diagnose --integrity --json ``` ### Automation Integration ```bash # JSON output for scripting nip search nginx --json nip list --json nip verify --json nip diagnose --json # Porcelain format for stable parsing nip search nginx --porcelain nip list --porcelain ``` ## Benefits ### For System Administrators - **Precise Control**: Exact variant fingerprints for deterministic deployments - **Security Monitoring**: Real-time tamper detection with visual indicators - **Build Flexibility**: Custom configurations with feature resolution - **Audit Trail**: Complete build provenance and configuration tracking ### For Developers - **Reproducible Builds**: Deterministic variant fingerprints ensure consistency - **Feature Management**: Structured feature system with constraint validation - **Build Optimization**: Multiple build flavors for different use cases - **Debugging Support**: Complete build configuration explanation ### For Automation - **Structured Output**: JSON and porcelain formats for reliable parsing - **API Integration**: Stable schemas for automation tools - **Batch Operations**: Efficient bulk package management - **Monitoring Integration**: Real-time status and health reporting ## Conclusion The Enhanced CLI Interface transforms NimPak into a revolutionary System Synthesis Engine that provides unprecedented control, security, and reproducibility in package management. By treating packages as immutable variant fingerprints and integrating Content Addressable Storage with real-time integrity monitoring, it creates a new paradigm for deterministic system construction. This implementation is ready for production deployment and provides a solid foundation for advanced features like snapshot management, track governance, and comprehensive audit capabilities.