Summer of Code

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SOC-0034: Create a Unified Cross-Platform Package Management Framework ​

Project size: 3 months

Estimated difficulty: Hard

  • Proficiency in systems programming (Go, Rust, or Python) and CLI development
  • Familiarity with Debian packaging (dpkg/apt), Homebrew formula syntax, and WinGet manifest format
  • Experience with Nix/Nixpkgs and declarative build definitions
  • Knowledge of cross-platform toolchains and binary distribution
  • Strong understanding of schema design and data serialization formats (JSON, YAML)

Description ​

Across Linux, macOS, and Windows, a diverse set of package managers—apt/dpkg, Homebrew, WinGet, and Nix—each maintain their own manifest formats, build pipelines, and distribution channels. This project will unify that fragmented ecosystem by:

  • Scraping existing Homebrew formulas and WinGet manifests to extract metadata, dependencies, and build instructions.
  • Designing a common manifest schema (JSON/YAML) capable of representing package metadata, build steps, and platform-specific variants.
  • Generating Debian-compatible .deb packages from the unified manifest, ready for installation via dpkg/apt.
  • Porting core apt/dpkg binaries to macOS and Windows, enabling basic .deb installation workflows outside of Linux.
  • Documenting the unified format, command-line workflows, and developer guidelines for contributors to extend/adapt to other package ecosystems.

By the end of the summer, the community will have a solid foundation for a single source of truth for package definitions and cross-platform tooling to consume it.

Expected Results ​

  • uni-pkg CLI toolchain that can scrape Homebrew and WinGet repositories to produce unified manifest files.
  • Unified manifest schema specification (JSON/YAML) with reference implementation and example manifests for common packages (e.g., git, node, ffmpeg).
  • Converter module that transforms unified manifests into Debian .deb packages, testable via dpkg --install.
  • Prototype apt/dpkg binaries compiled for macOS and Windows, supporting basic commands (install, remove, list).
  • Nix adapter layer exposing an apt-style CLI front end that installs packages from Nixpkgs under the hood.
  • Automated test suite and CI pipelines validating scraping, conversion, package integrity, and cross-platform installs.
  • Comprehensive documentation and example workflows demonstrating end-to-end package creation and installation on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Stretch Goals ​

  • Add support for additional ecosystems (e.g., Chocolatey, RPM-based distros).
  • Enable cross-architecture builds (x86_64, arm64).
  • Develop a web UI for browsing and converting packages in real time.
  • Implement automated upstream syncing to keep unified manifests in sync with official repositories.