fruix/docs/reports/phase7-operating-system-model-freebsd.md

Phase 7.1: Minimal Fruix operating-system model for FreeBSD

Date: 2026-04-01

Summary

This step introduces the first declarative Fruix operating-system model for the FreeBSD track. The goal is not full upstream Guix System integration yet, but a coherent Fruix-owned system description that can drive later closure and rootfs generation work.

Added files:

• modules/fruix/system/freebsd.scm
• tests/system/phase7-minimal-operating-system.scm
• tests/system/validate-phase7-operating-system.scm
• tests/system/run-phase7-operating-system-model.sh

Updated file:

• modules/fruix/packages/freebsd.scm

Validation command

Run command:

METADATA_OUT=/tmp/phase7-os-model-metadata.txt \
./tests/system/run-phase7-operating-system-model.sh

What the model describes

The new module defines records and constructors for:

• users
• groups
• file systems
• a FreeBSD-oriented operating-system object

The minimal system description currently covers:

• host identity
• kernel package
• bootloader package
• base packages
• users/groups
• file-system declarations
• generated /etc files
• a generated activation script
• a generated Shepherd configuration payload
• a declared init mode of:
  • freebsd-init+rc.d-shepherd

Observed results

Observed metadata included:

• host_name=fruix-freebsd
• kernel_package=freebsd-kernel
• bootloader_package=freebsd-bootloader
• base_packages=freebsd-runtime,freebsd-userland,freebsd-libc,freebsd-rc-scripts,freebsd-sh,freebsd-bash
• users=root,operator
• groups=wheel,operator
• file_system_count=3
• services=shepherd,ready-marker
• generated_files=boot/loader.conf,etc/rc.conf,etc/fstab,etc/hosts,etc/passwd,etc/group,etc/shells,etc/motd,activate,shepherd/init.scm
• init_mode=freebsd-init+rc.d-shepherd
• ready_marker=/var/lib/fruix/ready

Important findings

• the FreeBSD track now has a concrete declarative system object rather than only ad hoc package lists and shell prototypes
• the model is explicitly Fruix-owned and FreeBSD-oriented; it does not attempt a premature blanket rename or premature full Guix System integration
• the package layer was extended with additional system-oriented prototype packages needed by later Phase 7 work, including:
  • freebsd-bootloader
  • freebsd-rc-scripts
  • freebsd-runtime
  • %freebsd-system-packages
• the chosen first init strategy is now explicit in the model:
  • FreeBSD init with declaratively generated rc.d launch of Shepherd

Conclusion

Phase 7.1 is satisfied on the current FreeBSD prototype track:

• a minimal Fruix operating-system model now exists for FreeBSD
• that model evaluates into a coherent system-closure specification
• the next step is to materialize that specification into a real system closure under /frx/store