Mikkel Georgsen
6175c45399
Never trust AI training data for versions - always check PyPI/npm registries Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
97 lines
4.7 KiB
Markdown
97 lines
4.7 KiB
Markdown
# Debate
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## What This Is
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Debate is a web-based platform that lets users visually customize Linux distributions by selecting, combining, and overriding "opinions" - preconfigured choices about packages, window managers, themes, and system configurations. Users build a 3D stack of layers, resolve conflicts visually, and generate a custom bootable ISO. The platform supports saving and sharing configurations ("speeches") with the community.
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Starting with Omarchy (DHH's opinionated Arch/Hyprland distribution) as the first "opening statement," the long-term vision is to become the default way people get Linux - any distribution, customized to their needs.
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## Core Value
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**Make Linux customization visual and accessible to people who aren't Linux experts.**
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If the 3D builder doesn't make selecting and combining Linux options feel approachable and even fun, nothing else matters.
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## Requirements
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### Validated
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(None yet - ship to validate)
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### Active
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- [ ] 3D stack visualization for building configurations
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- [ ] Overlay system with dependency resolution and conflict detection
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- [ ] Visual conflict resolution ("objections" with concede/rebut options)
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- [ ] ISO generation from valid configurations
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- [ ] ISO caching for identical configurations
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- [ ] Save/load configurations ("speeches")
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- [ ] User accounts with authentication
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- [ ] Publish speeches with tags ("topics")
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- [ ] Browse and filter community speeches
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- [ ] Speech ratings/popularity tracking
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- [ ] Community overlay contribution workflow
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- [ ] CachyOS + Omarchy as initial opening statement
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- [ ] Hyprland platform support (from Omarchy)
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- [ ] Additional window managers (Sway, i3, KDE, COSMIC, GNOME)
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### Out of Scope
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- Mobile application - web-first, desktop browser target
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- Direct installation to hardware - users download ISO and install themselves
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- Paid/premium tiers - v1 is free to establish user base
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- Enterprise features - focus on individual users and community
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- Cross-distribution support in v1 - starting with Arch-based only (Fedora, Ubuntu etc. are future phases)
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## Context
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**Technical environment:**
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- Build server available: 6 cores, 64GB RAM, NVMe storage
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- Self-hosted infrastructure
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- Native Python/Node development with Docker for databases/services
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**Upstream dependencies:**
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- Omarchy (https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy) - no coordination with maintainers, independent project
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- CachyOS repositories for optimized Arch packages
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- Need to research Omarchy internals to map opinions to overlays
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**Market context:**
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- Growing Linux adoption driven by Windows dissatisfaction, Steam Deck success, creator influence
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- Gap exists between "overwhelming choice" and "take it or leave it" distro opinions
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- No existing tool offers visual 3D configuration building
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**Terminology:**
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The product uses debate/speech terminology throughout:
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- Speech = saved configuration
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- Opening statement = base distribution
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- Platform = window manager
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- Rhetoric = theming/ricing
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- Talking points = application bundles
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- Closing argument = system configuration
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- Objection = conflict detected
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- Deliver = generate ISO
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## Constraints
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- **Visual identity**: 3D visualization is the core differentiator - not optional, essential to the product
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- **Base distribution**: Starting with CachyOS/Arch only; cross-distro support deferred to future phases
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- **Build environment**: ISO builds run in sandboxed environment for security
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- **Performance**: 3D UI must run at 60fps on mid-range hardware; 2D fallback for low-end devices
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- **Independence**: No upstream coordination with Omarchy - must be resilient to their changes
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- **Python tooling**: Use ruff for linting and formatting (replaces flake8, black, isort)
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- **Package versions**: Always use actual latest versions from PyPI/npm, not AI training data assumptions — verify with `pip index versions` or package registries
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## Key Decisions
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| Decision | Rationale | Outcome |
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|----------|-----------|---------|
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| Start with Omarchy/CachyOS | Proves the concept with an explicitly "opinionated" distro; DHH's profile creates marketing hooks | - Pending |
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| 3D visualization required | Core differentiator; no existing tool offers this | - Pending |
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| Debate terminology | Creates memorable brand identity; "debate opinions" is the product concept | - Pending |
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| Self-hosted infrastructure | Build server already available; full control over build environment | - Pending |
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| Greenfield implementation | No legacy constraints; can build architecture correctly from start | - Pending |
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| Ruff for Python tooling | Fast, replaces flake8+black+isort; better DX with single tool | - Pending |
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| Verify package versions | Always check actual latest from registries, never trust AI assumptions | - Pending |
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---
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*Last updated: 2026-01-25 after initialization*
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