development_workflow.md

NovaOS Development Workflow

This workflow is for fast iteration on NovaOS without rebuilding the ISO for every change.

Recommended loop

1. Install Alpine Linux into a virtual disk inside VMware or VirtualBox.
2. Clone this repository inside the Alpine VM.
3. Run the local setup script:

sudo bash scripts/setup_dev_env.sh

4. Run the quick repository checks before changing anything else:

bash scripts/dev_check.sh

5. Make config changes in configs/, packages/, branding/, or installer/.
6. Re-run bash scripts/dev_check.sh after each meaningful change.
7. Restart the display manager from a TTY when you want to verify the desktop:

sudo rc-service lightdm restart

8. Rebuild the ISO only when the desktop path is stable:

sudo bash scripts/build_iso.sh

What to test in the development VM

• LightDM login and autologin.
• LXQt session startup.
• Panel, wallpaper, and terminal launch.
• NetworkManager, Bluetooth, and Firefox startup.
• Installer launcher on the desktop.

Fast debugging commands

If the desktop is black or does not load, check these from a TTY:

id nova
ls /usr/share/xsessions
cat /var/log/lightdm/lightdm.log
grep EE /var/log/Xorg.0.log

Notes

• Use the development VM for fast iteration.
• Use the ISO builder only for final release output.
• Keep the repo checks green before every release build.