PHASE 14: THE FORGE IS LIT
===========================
Implemented the Nexus Forge, a type-safe Nim-based build orchestrator that
replaces fragile shell scripts with a compiled, structured build system.
Core Components:
- src/nexus/forge.nim: Main CLI orchestrator (STC-1 'tinybox' implementation)
- src/nexus/builder/initrd.nim: Pure Nim TarFS writer with 512-byte alignment
- src/nexus/builder/kernel.nim: Kbuild wrapper (placeholder for Phase 16)
- blueprints/tinybox.kdl: First Standard Template Construct definition
InitRD Builder:
- Manual USTAR tar format implementation
- Strict 512-byte block alignment enforcement
- Correct checksum calculation and zero-padding
- Eliminates dependency on external 'tar' command
Build System Integration:
- Modified build.sh to invoke './nexus build' for InitRD packaging
- Forge-generated InitRD replaces legacy tar command
- Maintains backward compatibility during transition
PHASE 15: TARGET ALPHA - USERLAND UNIFICATION
==============================================
Transformed the Forge from a passive bridge into an active compiler driver
that fully controls NipBox (userland) compilation.
NipBox Compiler Driver (src/nexus/builder/nipbox.nim):
- 3-stage compilation pipeline: Nim → C → Object Files → Binary
- Exact ABI matching with kernel objects (RISC-V lp64d)
- Proper cross-compilation flags (-mcpu=sifive_u54 -mabi=lp64d)
- Structured configuration via NipBoxConfig type
Compilation Flow:
1. Nim transpilation with Sovereign Optimization flags
2. C compilation via zig cc with freestanding flags
3. Linking with membrane layer and userland entry point
Forge Activation:
- forge.nim now invokes build_nipbox() instead of using pre-built artifacts
- Single command './nexus build' compiles entire userland from source
- Eliminates dependency on build.sh for NipBox compilation
Verified Artifacts:
- core/rumpk/build/nipbox: 60KB RISC-V ELF with double-float ABI
- core/rumpk/build/initrd.tar: 62KB USTAR archive with 512-byte alignment
Status:
✅ Target Alpha Complete: Forge controls userland compilation
⏳ Target Bravo Pending: Kernel build still managed by build.sh
⏳ Target Charlie Pending: Registry integration deferred
- Resolved Sovereign Trap exit fault by refactoring kernel exit logic
- Implemented persistent Subject fiber with kload loop for clean respawns
- Fixed File not found loop by fixing initrd embedding with proper RISC-V ABI flags
- Eliminated 30KB truncation of initrd restoring full 80KB archive visibility
- Enhanced TarFS driver with robust path normalization
- Implemented exit syscall in libc_shim.zig with CMD_SYS_EXIT and nexus_yield
- Created hello.c and libnexus.h for userland testing
- Updated ion.nim and kernel.nim to handle CMD_SYS_EXEC and CMD_SYS_EXIT
- Ensured bin/nipbox is correctly copied to rootfs before packaging
Markus Maiwald