NixOS/docs/constitution.md

# AI Constitution for the NixOS Repository

## Scope and Audience
- Audience: AI assistants and contributors needing an authoritative description of repository rules, structure, and workflows.
- Scope: Repo-wide conventions, module categories, host roles, secrets handling, proxy rules, documentation locations, and maintenance triggers.
- Authority: This constitution is the source of truth for AI. If human-facing docs differ, update both with the recorded resolution in `specs/001-ai-docs/research.md`.

## Repository Overview
- Architecture: Flake-based repo using `flake-parts` with inputs for pkgs (stable/unstable), stylix, home-manager, sops-nix, and service overlays. Common modules are composed through `parts/core.nix` and `parts/hosts.nix`.
- Module auto-import: `modules/modules.nix` auto-imports `.nix` files under `modules/apps`, `modules/dev`, `modules/scripts`, `modules/servers`, `modules/services`, `modules/shell`, and `modules/network`, excluding `librewolf.nix`. Factories live in `modules/factories/` (`mkserver`, `mkscript`), and shared options are in `modules/nix` and `modules/users`.
- Hosts and toggles: Host definitions live in `hosts/<name>/configuration.nix` with host-specific toggles in `hosts/<name>/toggles.nix`. The `my` namespace carries toggles for apps/dev/scripts/services/shell, feature flags like `enableProxy` and `enableContainers`, and per-host `interfaces` and `ips` maps.
- Main server and proxies: `my.mainServer` selects the host that should serve traffic by default (default `miniserver`; overridden to `server` in `hosts/server/toggles.nix`). Reverse proxies use helpers in `parts/core.nix` (`proxy`, `proxyReverse`, `proxyReverseFix`, `proxyReversePrivate`) and pick IPs from `my.ips` plus the hostName/ip set by `mkserver` options.
- Secure hosts and secrets: `my.secureHost` gates SOPS secrets. Secure hosts load secrets from `secrets/*.yaml` and wireguard definitions; non-secure hosts (e.g., `hosts/emacs`) skip secret-dependent services. Default SOPS file is `secrets/secrets.yaml` via `config/base.nix`.

## Coding Conventions
- No blank lines between code blocks; keep markdown examples tight.
- Minimize comments; prefer clear naming and shared helpers (`modules/factories/mkserver.nix`, `modules/factories/mkscript.nix`) to avoid duplication.
- Use business-level, technology-agnostic language in AI docs; reserve implementation detail for module code.

## Terminology and Naming Standards
- Module: A Nix module under `modules/<category>/<name>.nix` auto-imported into the system.
- Factory: Shared option constructors in `modules/factories/` (use `mkserver` for server modules, `mkscript` for script units).
- Options: Settings under the `my` namespace (e.g., `my.services.<service>`, `my.scripts.<script>`).
- Toggles: Enablement maps in `hosts/<name>/toggles.nix` controlling categories (apps/dev/shell/scripts/services/servers/units) and features (`enableProxy`, `enableContainers`).
- Servers: Reverse-proxied services under `modules/servers/`, normally created with `mkserver` options.
- Scripts: Units defined via `mkscript` with `enable`, `install`, `service`, `users`, `timer`, and `package` fields.
- Playbooks: Workflow guides under `docs/playbooks/` for repeatable tasks.
- Reference map: Navigation index under `docs/reference/index.md` for paths and responsibilities.

## Secrets Map and secureHost Behavior
- Secrets files: `secrets/certs.yaml`, `secrets/env.yaml`, `secrets/gallery.yaml`, `secrets/homepage.yaml`, `secrets/keys.yaml`, `secrets/wireguard.yaml`, `secrets/secrets.yaml`, plus `secrets/ssh/` for host keys.
- Placement rules: Keep secrets aligned to their file purpose (certificates → `certs.yaml`; environment/service env vars → `env.yaml`; media/gallery creds → `gallery.yaml`; homepage widgets → `homepage.yaml`; SSH/private keys → `keys.yaml`; WireGuard peers → `wireguard.yaml`; misc defaults → `secrets.yaml`).
- secureHost gating: Only hosts with `my.secureHost = true` load SOPS secrets and WireGuard interfaces. Hosts with `secureHost = false` must avoid secret-dependent services and skip SOPS entries.

## Module Categories and Active Hosts
- Module categories: apps, dev, scripts, servers, services, shell, network, users, nix, patches. Factories sit in `modules/factories/` and are imported explicitly.
- Active hosts: `workstation`, `server`, `miniserver`, `galaxy`, `emacs`. Host roles and secure status are defined in `hosts/<name>/configuration.nix` and toggles in `hosts/<name>/toggles.nix`.

## Precedence and Conflict Resolution
- Precedence: This constitution is authoritative for AI. Human docs must be updated to match. If conflicts are found, align human docs to the constitution and log the resolution in `specs/001-ai-docs/research.md`.
- Conflict handling steps: identify the divergent rule, cite the source files, decide the authoritative rule per this constitution, update both the source file and the relevant doc, and record the decision and timestamp.

## Maintenance Triggers and Update Process
- Triggers: New factory/helper, new module category, new host, new toggle set, new proxy rule, new secret category/file, change to `my.mainServer` or `my.ips`, stylix scheme changes, or new auto-import filters.
- Update flow: (1) Amend the relevant module or toggle files; (2) Update `docs/constitution.md` for rules/terminology changes; (3) Update playbooks under `docs/playbooks/` affected by the change; (4) Update `docs/reference/index.md` for navigation paths; (5) Note the decision in `specs/001-ai-docs/research.md` and refresh `quickstart.md` if discoverability shifts.
- Validation: Confirm discoverability within two clicks (constitution → reference map/playbook), secrets map completeness, and alignment with success criteria SC-001–SC-004.

## Quick Reference and Navigation
- Constitution: `docs/constitution.md` (this file)
- Reference map: `docs/reference/index.md` (paths, hosts, secrets, proxies, stylix)
- Playbooks: `docs/playbooks/*.md` (add module/server/script/host toggle/secret, plus template)
- Planning artifacts: `specs/001-ai-docs/` (plan, research, data-model, quickstart, contracts)