Release version 1.2.1

Why:
The Dockerfile previously validated `nix --version` during image build,
which is environment-sensitive and behaves differently in GitHub Actions
vs local/act builds due to PATH and non-login shell differences.

The actual contract is runtime availability of Nix, not build-step PATH
resolution. This is now reliably enforced by the dedicated `test-env-nix`
container test, which validates nix presence and flake execution in the
real execution environment.

This removes flaky CI behavior while keeping stronger, more accurate
coverage of the intended guarantee.

https://chatgpt.com/share/693bfbc7-63d8-800f-9ceb-728c7a58e963

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -13,8 +13,11 @@ jobs:
   test-integration:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-integration.yml
 
-  test-container:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-container.yml
+  test-env-virtual:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-env-virtual.yml
+
+  test-env-nix:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-env-nix.yml
 
   test-e2e:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml

.github/workflows/mark-stable.yml

@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ name: Mark stable commit
 on:
   push:
     branches:
-      - main
+      - main          # still run tests for main
+    tags:
+      - 'v*'          # run tests for version tags (e.g. v0.9.1)
 
 jobs:
   test-unit:
@@ -12,8 +14,11 @@ jobs:
   test-integration:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-integration.yml
 
-  test-container:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-container.yml
+  test-env-virtual:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-env-virtual.yml
+
+  test-env-nix:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-env-nix.yml
 
   test-e2e:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-e2e.yml
@@ -28,37 +33,70 @@ jobs:
     needs:
       - test-unit
       - test-integration
-      - test-container
+      - test-env-nix
+      - test-env-virtual
       - test-e2e
       - test-virgin-user
       - test-virgin-root
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
+    # Only run this job if the push is for a version tag (v*)
+    if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v')
+
     permissions:
-      contents: write  # to move the tag
+      contents: write  # Required to move/update the tag
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
+          fetch-tags: true  # We need all tags for version comparison
 
-      - name: Move 'stable' tag to this commit
+      - name: Move 'stable' tag only if this version is the highest
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
 
           git config user.name "github-actions[bot]"
           git config user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
 
-          echo "Tagging commit $GITHUB_SHA as stable…"
+          echo "Ref: $GITHUB_REF"
+          echo "SHA: $GITHUB_SHA"
 
-          # delete local tag if exists
+          VERSION="${GITHUB_REF#refs/tags/}"
+          echo "Current version tag: ${VERSION}"
+
+          echo "Collecting all version tags..."
+          ALL_V_TAGS="$(git tag --list 'v*' || true)"
+
+          if [[ -z "${ALL_V_TAGS}" ]]; then
+            echo "No version tags found. Skipping stable update."
+            exit 0
+          fi
+
+          echo "All version tags:"
+          echo "${ALL_V_TAGS}"
+
+          # Determine highest version using natural version sorting
+          LATEST_TAG="$(printf '%s\n' ${ALL_V_TAGS} | sort -V | tail -n1)"
+
+          echo "Highest version tag: ${LATEST_TAG}"
+
+          if [[ "${VERSION}" != "${LATEST_TAG}" ]]; then
+            echo "Current version ${VERSION} is NOT the highest version."
+            echo "Stable tag will NOT be updated."
+            exit 0
+          fi
+
+          echo "Current version ${VERSION} IS the highest version."
+          echo "Updating 'stable' tag..."
+
+          # Delete existing stable tag (local + remote)
           git tag -d stable 2>/dev/null || true
-          # delete remote tag if exists
           git push origin :refs/tags/stable || true
 
-          # create new tag on this commit
+          # Create new stable tag
           git tag stable "$GITHUB_SHA"
           git push origin stable
 
-          echo "✅ Stable tag updated."
+          echo "✅ Stable tag updated to ${VERSION}."

.github/workflows/test-env-nix.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+name: Test Virgin Nix (flake only)
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+jobs:
+  test-env-nix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 45
+
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        distro: [arch, debian, ubuntu, fedora, centos]
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Show Docker version
+        run: docker version
+
+      - name: Nix flake-only test (${{ matrix.distro }})
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          distro="${{ matrix.distro }}" make test-env-nix

.github/workflows/test-env-virtual.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ on:
   workflow_call:
 
 jobs:
-  test-container:
+  test-env-virtual:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 30
     strategy:
@@ -25,4 +25,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run container tests (${{ matrix.distro }})
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
-          distro="${{ matrix.distro }}" make test-container
+          distro="${{ matrix.distro }}" make test-env-virtual

.gitignore

@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ Thumbs.db
 # Nix Cache to speed up tests
 .nix/
 .nix-dev-installed
+flake.lock
 
 # Ignore logs
 *.log
 
-result
+result

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,91 @@
-## [0.10.0] - 2025-12-11
+## [1.2.1] - 2025-12-12
 
-* **Changes since v0.9.1**
+* **Changed**
+
+* Split container tests into *virtualenv* and *Nix flake* environments to clearly separate Python and Nix responsibilities.
+
+**Fixed**
+
+* Fixed Nix installer permission issues when running under a different user in containers.
+* Improved reliability of post-install Nix initialization across all distro packages.
+
+**CI**
+
+* Replaced generic container tests with explicit environment checks.
+* Validate Nix availability via *nix flake* tests instead of Docker build-time side effects.
+
+
+## [1.2.0] - 2025-12-12
+
+* **Release workflow overhaul**
+
+* Introduced a fully structured release workflow with clear phases and safeguards
+* Added preview-first releases with explicit confirmation before execution
+* Automatic handling of *latest* tag when a release is the newest version
+* Optional branch closing after successful releases with interactive confirmation
+* Improved safety by syncing with remote before any changes
+* Clear separation of concerns (workflow, git handling, prompts, versioning)
+
+
+## [1.1.0] - 2025-12-12
+
+* Added *branch drop* for destructive branch deletion and introduced *--force/-f* flags for branch close and branch drop to skip confirmation prompts.
+
+
+## [1.0.0] - 2025-12-11
+
+* **1.0.0 – Official Stable Release 🎉**
+*First stable release of PKGMGR, the multi-distro development and package workflow manager.*
+
+---
+
+**Key Features**
+
+**Core Functionality**
+
+* Manage many repositories with one CLI: `clone`, `update`, `install`, `list`, `path`, `config`
+* Proxy wrappers for Git, Docker/Compose and Make
+* Multi-repo execution with safe *preview mode*
+* Mirror management: `mirror list/diff/merge/setup`
+
+**Releases & Versioning**
+
+* Automated SemVer bumps, tagging and changelog generation
+* Supports PKGBUILD, Debian, RPM, pyproject.toml, flake.nix
+
+**Developer Tools**
+
+* Open repositories in VS Code, file manager or terminal
+* Unified workflows across all major Linux distros
+
+**Nix Integration**
+
+* Cross-distro reproducible builds via Nix flakes
+* CI-tested across all supported environments
+
+---
+
+**Summary**
+PKGMGR 1.0.0 unifies repository management, build tooling, release automation and reproducible multi-distro workflows into one cohesive CLI tool.
+
+*This is the first official stable release.*
+
+
+## [0.10.2] - 2025-12-11
+
+* * Stable tag now updates only when a new highest version is released.
+* Debian package now includes sudo to ensure privilege escalation works reliably.
+* Nix setup is significantly more resilient with retries, correct permissions, and better environment handling.
+* AUR builder setup uses retries so yay installs succeed even under network instability.
+* Nix flake installation now fails only on mandatory parts; optional outputs no longer block installation.
+
+
+## [0.10.1] - 2025-12-11
+
+* Fixed Debian\Ubuntu to pass container e2e tests
+
+
+## [0.10.0] - 2025-12-11
 
 **Mirror System**
 

Makefile

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 .PHONY: install setup uninstall \
-        test build build-no-cache test-unit test-e2e test-integration \
-        test-container
+        test build build-no-cache build-no-cache-all build-missing delete-volumes purge \
+        test-unit test-e2e test-integration test-env-virtual test-env-nix
 
 # Distro
 # Options: arch debian ubuntu fedora centos
+DISTROS ?= arch debian ubuntu fedora centos
 distro ?= arch
 export distro
 
@@ -37,11 +38,18 @@ setup:
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Docker build targets (delegated to scripts/build)
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
+build:
+	@bash scripts/build/build-image.sh
+
 build-no-cache:
 	@bash scripts/build/build-image-no-cache.sh
 
-build:
-	@bash scripts/build/build-image.sh
+build-no-cache-all:
+	@set -e; \
+	for d in $(DISTROS); do \
+	  echo "=== build-no-cache: $$d ==="; \
+	  distro="$$d" $(MAKE) build-no-cache; \
+	done
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Test targets (delegated to scripts/test)
@@ -56,8 +64,12 @@ test-integration: build-missing
 test-e2e: build-missing
 	@bash scripts/test/test-e2e.sh
 
-test-container: build-missing
-	@bash scripts/test/test-container.sh
+test-env-virtual: build-missing
+	@bash scripts/test/test-env-virtual.sh
+
+test-env-nix: build-missing
+	@bash scripts/test/test-env-nix.sh
+
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Build only missing container images
@@ -66,7 +78,7 @@ build-missing:
 	@bash scripts/build/build-image-missing.sh
 
 # Combined test target for local + CI (unit + integration + e2e)
-test: test-container test-unit test-integration test-e2e
+test: test-env-virtual test-unit test-integration test-e2e
 
 delete-volumes: 
 	@docker volume rm pkgmgr_nix_store_${distro} pkgmgr_nix_cache_${distro} || true

README.md

@@ -1,70 +1,188 @@
-# Package Manager🤖📦
+# Package Manager 🤖📦
+
+![PKGMGR Banner](assets/banner.jpg)
+
 [![GitHub Sponsors](https://img.shields.io/badge/Sponsor-GitHub%20Sponsors-blue?logo=github)](https://github.com/sponsors/kevinveenbirkenbach)
-[![Patreon](https://img.shields.io/badge/Support-Patreon-orange?logo=patreon)](https://www.patreon.com/c/kevinveenbirkenbach) 
-[![Buy Me a Coffee](https://img.shields.io/badge/Buy%20me%20a%20Coffee-Funding-yellow?logo=buymeacoffee)](https://buymeacoffee.com/kevinveenbirkenbach) [![PayPal](https://img.shields.io/badge/Donate-PayPal-blue?logo=paypal)](https://s.veen.world/paypaldonate)
+[![Patreon](https://img.shields.io/badge/Support-Patreon-orange?logo=patreon)](https://www.patreon.com/c/kevinveenbirkenbach)
+[![Buy Me a Coffee](https://img.shields.io/badge/Buy%20me%20a%20Coffee-Funding-yellow?logo=buymeacoffee)](https://buymeacoffee.com/kevinveenbirkenbach)
+[![PayPal](https://img.shields.io/badge/Donate-PayPal-blue?logo=paypal)](https://s.veen.world/paypaldonate)
 [![GitHub license](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue.svg)](LICENSE)
 [![GitHub repo size](https://img.shields.io/github/repo-size/kevinveenbirkenbach/package-manager)](https://github.com/kevinveenbirkenbach/package-manager)
 
-*Kevins's* Package Manager is a configurable Python tool designed to manage multiple repositories via Bash. It automates common Git operations such as clone, pull, push, status, and more. Additionally, it handles the creation of executable wrappers and alias links for your repositories.
+**Kevin's Package Manager (PKGMGR)** is a *multi-distro* package manager and workflow orchestrator.
+It helps you **develop, package, release and manage projects across multiple Linux-based
+operating systems** (Arch, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, …).
+
+PKGMGR is implemented in **Python** and uses **Nix (flakes)** as a foundation for
+distribution-independent builds and tooling. On top of that it provides a rich
+CLI that proxies common developer tools (Git, Docker, Make, …) and glues them
+together into repeatable development workflows.
+
+---
+
+## Why PKGMGR? 🧠
+
+Traditional distro package managers like `apt`, `pacman` or `dnf` focus on a
+single operating system. PKGMGR instead focuses on **your repositories and
+development lifecycle**:
+
+* one configuration for all your repos,
+* one CLI to interact with them,
+* one Nix-based layer to keep tooling reproducible across distros.
+
+You keep using your native package manager where it makes sense – PKGMGR
+coordinates the *development and release flow* around it.
+
+---
 
 ## Features 🚀
 
-- **Installation & Setup:**  
-  Create executable wrappers with auto-detected commands (e.g. `main.sh` or `main.py`).
-  
-- **Git Operations:**  
-  Easily perform `git pull`, `push`, `status`, `commit`, `diff`, `add`, `show`, and `checkout` with extra parameters passed through.
-  
-- **Configuration Management:**  
-  Manage repository configurations via a default file (`config/defaults.yaml`) and a user-specific file (`config/config.yaml`). Initialize, add, delete, or ignore entries using subcommands.
-  
-- **Path & Listing:**  
-  Display repository paths or list all configured packages with their details.
-  
-- **Custom Aliases:**  
-  Generate and manage custom aliases for easy command invocation.
+### Multi-distro development & packaging
+
+* Manage **many repositories at once** from a single `config/config.yaml`.
+* Drive full **release pipelines** across Linux distributions using:
+
+  * Nix flakes (`flake.nix`)
+  * PyPI style builds (`pyproject.toml`)
+  * OS packages (PKGBUILD, Debian control/changelog, RPM spec)
+  * Ansible Galaxy metadata and more.
+
+### Rich CLI for daily work
+
+All commands are exposed via the `pkgmgr` CLI and are available on every distro:
+
+* **Repository management**
+
+  * `clone`, `update`, `install`, `delete`, `deinstall`, `path`, `list`, `config`
+* **Git proxies**
+
+  * `pull`, `push`, `status`, `diff`, `add`, `show`, `checkout`,
+    `reset`, `revert`, `rebase`, `commit`, `branch`
+* **Docker & Compose orchestration**
+
+  * `build`, `up`, `down`, `exec`, `ps`, `start`, `stop`, `restart`
+* **Release toolchain**
+
+  * `version`, `release`, `changelog`, `make`
+* **Mirror & workflow helpers**
+
+  * `mirror` (list/diff/merge/setup), `shell`, `terminal`, `code`, `explore`
+
+Many of these commands support `--preview` mode so you can inspect the
+underlying Git or Docker calls without executing them.
+
+### Full development workflows
+
+PKGMGR is not just a helper around Git commands. Combined with its release and
+versioning features it can drive **end-to-end workflows**:
+
+1. Clone and mirror repositories.
+2. Run tests and builds through `make` or Nix.
+3. Bump versions, update changelogs and tags.
+4. Build distro-specific packages.
+5. Keep all mirrors and working copies in sync.
+
+The extensive E2E tests (`tests/e2e/`) and GitHub Actions workflows (including
+“virgin user” and “virgin root” Arch tests) validate these flows across
+different Linux environments.
+
+---
 
 ## Architecture & Setup Map 🗺️
 
-The following diagram provides a full overview of PKGMGR’s package structure,
-installation layers, and setup controller flow:
+The following diagram gives a full overview of:
+
+* PKGMGR’s package structure,
+* the layered installers (OS, foundation, Python, Makefile),
+* and the setup controller that decides which layer to use on a given system.
 
 ![PKGMGR Architecture](assets/map.png)
 
-**Diagram status:** *Stand: 11. Dezember 2025*  
-**Always-up-to-date version:** https://s.veen.world/pkgmgrmp
+**Diagram status:** 12 December 2025
+**Always-up-to-date version:** [https://s.veen.world/pkgmgrmp](https://s.veen.world/pkgmgrmp)
+
+---
 
 ## Installation ⚙️
 
-Clone the repository and ensure your `~/.local/bin` is in your system PATH:
+### 1. Get the latest stable version
+
+For a stable setup, use the **latest tagged release** (the tag pointed to by
+`latest`):
 
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/kevinveenbirkenbach/package-manager.git
 cd package-manager
+
+# Optional but recommended: checkout the latest stable tag
+git fetch --tags
+git checkout "$(git describe --tags --abbrev=0)"
 ```
 
-Install make and pip if not installed yet:
+### 2. Install via Make
+
+The project ships with a Makefile that encapsulates the typical installation
+flow. On most systems you only need:
 
 ```bash
-pacman -S make python-pip
+# Ensure make, Python and pip are installed via your distro package manager
+# (e.g. pacman -S make python python-pip, apt install make python3-pip, ...)
+
+make install
 ```
 
-Then, run the following command to set up the project:
+This will:
+
+* create or reuse a Python virtual environment,
+* install PKGMGR (and its Python dependencies) into that environment,
+* expose the `pkgmgr` executable on your PATH (usually via `~/.local/bin`),
+* prepare Nix-based integration where available so PKGMGR can build and manage
+  packages distribution-independently.
+
+For development use, you can also run:
 
 ```bash
 make setup
 ```
 
-The `make setup` command will:
-- Make `main.py` executable.
-- Install required packages from `requirements.txt`.
-- Execute `python main.py install` to complete the installation.
+which prepares the environment and leaves you with a fully wired development
+workspace (including Nix, tests and scripts).
+
+---
+
+## Usage 🧰
+
+After installation, the main entry point is:
+
+```bash
+pkgmgr --help
+```
+
+This prints a list of all available subcommands, for example:
+
+* `pkgmgr list --all` – show all repositories in the config
+* `pkgmgr update --all --clone-mode https` – update every repository
+* `pkgmgr release patch --preview` – simulate a patch release
+* `pkgmgr version --all` – show version information for all repositories
+* `pkgmgr mirror setup --preview --all` – prepare Git mirrors (no changes in preview)
+* `pkgmgr make install --preview pkgmgr` – preview make install for the pkgmgr repo
+
+The help for each command is available via:
+
+```bash
+pkgmgr <command> --help
+```
+
+---
 
 ## License 📄
 
 This project is licensed under the MIT License.
+See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.
+
+---
 
 ## Author 👤
 
-Kevin Veen-Birkenbach  
+Kevin Veen-Birkenbach
 [https://www.veen.world](https://www.veen.world)

_requirements.txt

@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-# Legacy file used only if pip still installs from requirements.txt.
-# You may delete this file once you switch entirely to pyproject.toml.
-
-PyYAML

flake.lock

@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "nodes": {
-    "nixpkgs": {
-      "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1765186076,
-        "narHash": "sha256-hM20uyap1a0M9d344I692r+ik4gTMyj60cQWO+hAYP8=",
-        "owner": "NixOS",
-        "repo": "nixpkgs",
-        "rev": "addf7cf5f383a3101ecfba091b98d0a1263dc9b8",
-        "type": "github"
-      },
-      "original": {
-        "owner": "NixOS",
-        "ref": "nixos-unstable",
-        "repo": "nixpkgs",
-        "type": "github"
-      }
-    },
-    "root": {
-      "inputs": {
-        "nixpkgs": "nixpkgs"
-      }
-    }
-  },
-  "root": "root",
-  "version": 7
-}

flake.nix

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
         rec {
           pkgmgr = pyPkgs.buildPythonApplication {
             pname   = "package-manager";
-            version = "0.10.0";
+            version = "1.2.1";
 
             # Use the git repo as source
             src = ./.;

packaging/arch/package-manager.install

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 post_install() {
-  /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || true
+  /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || echo ">>> ERROR: /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh not found or not executable."
 }
 
 post_upgrade() {
-  /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || true
+  /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || echo ">>> ERROR: /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh not found or not executable."
 }
 
 post_remove() {

packaging/debian/control

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Homepage: https://github.com/kevinveenbirkenbach/package-manager
 
 Package: package-manager
 Architecture: any
-Depends: ${misc:Depends}
+Depends: sudo, ${misc:Depends}
 Description: Wrapper that runs Kevin's package-manager via Nix flake
  This package provides the `pkgmgr` command, which runs Kevin's package
  manager via a local Nix flake

packaging/debian/postinst

@@ -3,11 +3,7 @@ set -e
 
 case "$1" in
     configure)
-        if [ -x /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh ]; then
-            /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || true
-        else
-            echo ">>> Warning: /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh not found or not executable."
-        fi
+        /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || echo ">>> ERROR: /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh not found or not executable."
         ;;
 esac
 

packaging/fedora/package-manager.spec

@@ -60,12 +60,7 @@ rm -rf \
   %{buildroot}/usr/lib/package-manager/.gitkeep || true
 
 %post
-# Initialize Nix (if needed) after installing the package-manager files.
-if [ -x /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh ]; then
-    /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || true
-else
-    echo ">>> Warning: /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh not found or not executable."
-fi
+/usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh || echo ">>> ERROR: /usr/lib/package-manager/init-nix.sh not found or not executable."
 
 %postun
 echo ">>> package-manager removed. Nix itself was not removed."

pyproject.toml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "package-manager"
-version = "0.10.0"
+version = "1.2.1"
 description = "Kevin's package-manager tool (pkgmgr)"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.11"

scripts/init-nix.sh

@@ -3,21 +3,22 @@ set -euo pipefail
 
 echo "[init-nix] Starting Nix initialization..."
 
+NIX_INSTALL_URL="${NIX_INSTALL_URL:-https://nixos.org/nix/install}"
+NIX_DOWNLOAD_MAX_TIME=300      # 5 minutes
+NIX_DOWNLOAD_SLEEP_INTERVAL=20 # 20 seconds
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Helper: detect whether we are inside a container (Docker/Podman/etc.)
+# Detect whether we are inside a container (Docker/Podman/etc.)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 is_container() {
-  # Docker / Podman markers
   if [[ -f /.dockerenv ]] || [[ -f /run/.containerenv ]]; then
     return 0
   fi
 
-  # cgroup hints
   if grep -qiE 'docker|container|podman|lxc' /proc/1/cgroup 2>/dev/null; then
     return 0
   fi
 
-  # Environment variable used by some runtimes
   if [[ -n "${container:-}" ]]; then
     return 0
   fi
@@ -26,200 +27,216 @@ is_container() {
 }
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Helper: ensure Nix binaries are on PATH (multi-user or single-user)
+# Ensure Nix binaries are on PATH (multi-user or single-user)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ensure_nix_on_path() {
-  # Multi-user profile (daemon install)
   if [[ -x /nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin/nix ]]; then
     export PATH="/nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin:${PATH}"
   fi
 
-  # Single-user profile (current user)
   if [[ -x "${HOME}/.nix-profile/bin/nix" ]]; then
     export PATH="${HOME}/.nix-profile/bin:${PATH}"
   fi
 
-  # Single-user profile for dedicated "nix" user (container case)
   if [[ -x /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix ]]; then
     export PATH="/home/nix/.nix-profile/bin:${PATH}"
   fi
 }
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Fast path: Nix already available
+# Ensure Nix build group and users exist (build-users-group = nixbld)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-if command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-  echo "[init-nix] Nix already available on PATH: $(command -v nix)"
-  exit 0
-fi
-
-ensure_nix_on_path
-
-if command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-  echo "[init-nix] Nix found after adjusting PATH: $(command -v nix)"
-  exit 0
-fi
-
-echo "[init-nix] Nix not found, starting installation logic..."
-
-IN_CONTAINER=0
-if is_container; then
-  IN_CONTAINER=1
-  echo "[init-nix] Detected container environment."
-else
-  echo "[init-nix] No container detected."
-fi
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Container + root: install Nix as dedicated "nix" user (single-user)
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-if [[ "${IN_CONTAINER}" -eq 1 && "${EUID:-0}" -eq 0 ]]; then
-  echo "[init-nix] Running as root inside a container – using dedicated 'nix' user."
-
-  # Ensure nixbld group (required by Nix)
+ensure_nix_build_group() {
   if ! getent group nixbld >/dev/null 2>&1; then
     echo "[init-nix] Creating group 'nixbld'..."
     groupadd -r nixbld
   fi
 
-  # Ensure Nix build users (nixbld1..nixbld10) as members of nixbld
   for i in $(seq 1 10); do
     if ! id "nixbld$i" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
       echo "[init-nix] Creating build user nixbld$i..."
-      # -r: system account, -g: primary group, -G: supplementary (ensures membership is listed)
       useradd -r -g nixbld -G nixbld -s /usr/sbin/nologin "nixbld$i"
     fi
   done
+}
 
-  # Ensure "nix" user (home at /home/nix)
-  if ! id nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    echo "[init-nix] Creating user 'nix'..."
-    # Resolve a valid shell path across distros:
-    # - Debian/Ubuntu: /bin/bash
-    # - Arch:          /usr/bin/bash (often symlinked)
-    # Fall back to /bin/sh on ultra-minimal systems.
-    BASH_SHELL="$(command -v bash || true)"
-    if [[ -z "${BASH_SHELL}" ]]; then
-      BASH_SHELL="/bin/sh"
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Download and run Nix installer with retry
+#   Usage: install_nix_with_retry daemon|no-daemon [run_as_user]
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+install_nix_with_retry() {
+  local mode="$1"
+  local run_as="${2:-}"
+  local installer elapsed=0 mode_flag
+
+  case "${mode}" in
+    daemon)    mode_flag="--daemon" ;;
+    no-daemon) mode_flag="--no-daemon" ;;
+    *)
+      echo "[init-nix] ERROR: Invalid mode '${mode}', expected 'daemon' or 'no-daemon'."
+      exit 1
+      ;;
+  esac
+
+  installer="$(mktemp -t nix-installer.XXXXXX)"
+
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  # FIX: mktemp creates files with 0600 by default, which breaks when we later
+  #      run the installer as a different user (e.g., 'nix' in container+root).
+  #      Make it readable and (best-effort) owned by the target user.
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  chmod 0644 "${installer}"
+
+  echo "[init-nix] Downloading Nix installer from ${NIX_INSTALL_URL} with retry (max ${NIX_DOWNLOAD_MAX_TIME}s)..."
+
+  while true; do
+    if curl -fL "${NIX_INSTALL_URL}" -o "${installer}"; then
+      echo "[init-nix] Successfully downloaded Nix installer to ${installer}"
+      break
     fi
-    useradd -m -r -g nixbld -s "${BASH_SHELL}" nix
-  fi
 
-  # Ensure /nix exists and is writable by the "nix" user.
-  #
-  # In some base images (or previous runs), /nix may already exist and be
-  # owned by root. In that case the Nix single-user installer will abort with:
-  #
-  #   "directory /nix exists, but is not writable by you"
-  #
-  # To keep container runs idempotent and robust, we always enforce
-  # ownership nix:nixbld here.
-  if [[ ! -d /nix ]]; then
-    echo "[init-nix] Creating /nix with owner nix:nixbld..."
-    mkdir -m 0755 /nix
-    chown nix:nixbld /nix
-  else
-    current_owner="$(stat -c '%U' /nix 2>/dev/null || echo '?')"
-    current_group="$(stat -c '%G' /nix 2>/dev/null || echo '?')"
-    if [[ "${current_owner}" != "nix" || "${current_group}" != "nixbld" ]]; then
-      echo "[init-nix] /nix already exists with owner ${current_owner}:${current_group} – fixing to nix:nixbld..."
-      chown -R nix:nixbld /nix
+    local curl_exit=$?
+    echo "[init-nix] WARNING: Failed to download Nix installer (curl exit code ${curl_exit})."
+
+    elapsed=$((elapsed + NIX_DOWNLOAD_SLEEP_INTERVAL))
+    if (( elapsed >= NIX_DOWNLOAD_MAX_TIME )); then
+      echo "[init-nix] ERROR: Giving up after ${elapsed}s trying to download Nix installer."
+      rm -f "${installer}"
+      exit 1
+    fi
+
+    echo "[init-nix] Retrying in ${NIX_DOWNLOAD_SLEEP_INTERVAL}s (elapsed: ${elapsed}s/${NIX_DOWNLOAD_MAX_TIME}s)..."
+    sleep "${NIX_DOWNLOAD_SLEEP_INTERVAL}"
+  done
+
+  if [[ -n "${run_as}" ]]; then
+    # Best-effort: ensure the target user can read the downloaded installer
+    chown "${run_as}:${run_as}" "${installer}" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+    echo "[init-nix] Running installer as user '${run_as}' with mode '${mode}'..."
+    if command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      sudo -u "${run_as}" bash -lc "sh '${installer}' ${mode_flag}"
     else
-      echo "[init-nix] /nix already exists with correct owner nix:nixbld."
+      su - "${run_as}" -c "sh '${installer}' ${mode_flag}"
     fi
-
-    if [[ ! -w /nix ]]; then
-      echo "[init-nix] WARNING: /nix is still not writable after chown; Nix installer may fail."
-    fi
-  fi
-
-  # Run Nix single-user installer as "nix"
-  echo "[init-nix] Installing Nix as user 'nix' (single-user, --no-daemon)..."
-  if command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    sudo -u nix bash -lc 'sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --no-daemon'
   else
-    su - nix -c 'sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --no-daemon'
+    echo "[init-nix] Running installer as current user with mode '${mode}'..."
+    sh "${installer}" "${mode_flag}"
   fi
 
-  # After installation, expose nix to root via PATH and symlink
-  ensure_nix_on_path
+  rm -f "${installer}"
+}
 
-  if [[ -x /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix ]]; then
-    if [[ ! -e /usr/local/bin/nix ]]; then
-      echo "[init-nix] Creating /usr/local/bin/nix symlink -> /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix"
-      ln -s /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix /usr/local/bin/nix
-    fi
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Main
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+main() {
+  # Fast path: Nix already available
+  if command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "[init-nix] Nix already available on PATH: $(command -v nix)"
+    return 0
   fi
 
   ensure_nix_on_path
 
   if command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    echo "[init-nix] Nix successfully installed (container mode) at: $(command -v nix)"
-  else
-    echo "[init-nix] WARNING: Nix installation finished in container, but 'nix' is still not on PATH."
+    echo "[init-nix] Nix found after adjusting PATH: $(command -v nix)"
+    return 0
   fi
 
-  # Optionally add PATH hints to /etc/profile (best effort)
-  if [[ -w /etc/profile ]]; then
-    if ! grep -q 'Nix profiles' /etc/profile 2>/dev/null; then
-      cat <<'EOF' >> /etc/profile
+  echo "[init-nix] Nix not found, starting installation logic..."
 
-# Nix profiles (added by package-manager init-nix.sh)
-if [ -d /nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin ]; then
-  PATH="/nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin:$PATH"
-fi
-if [ -d "$HOME/.nix-profile/bin" ]; then
-  PATH="$HOME/.nix-profile/bin:$PATH"
-fi
-EOF
-      echo "[init-nix] Appended Nix PATH setup to /etc/profile (container mode)."
+  local IN_CONTAINER=0
+  if is_container; then
+    IN_CONTAINER=1
+    echo "[init-nix] Detected container environment."
+  else
+    echo "[init-nix] No container detected."
+  fi
+
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  # Container + root: dedicated "nix" user, single-user install
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  if [[ "${IN_CONTAINER}" -eq 1 && "${EUID:-0}" -eq 0 ]]; then
+    echo "[init-nix] Container + root – installing as 'nix' user (single-user)."
+
+    ensure_nix_build_group
+
+    if ! id nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      echo "[init-nix] Creating user 'nix'..."
+      local BASH_SHELL
+      BASH_SHELL="$(command -v bash || true)"
+      [[ -z "${BASH_SHELL}" ]] && BASH_SHELL="/bin/sh"
+      useradd -m -r -g nixbld -s "${BASH_SHELL}" nix
     fi
-  fi
 
-  echo "[init-nix] Nix initialization complete (container root mode)."
-  exit 0
-fi
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Non-container or non-root container: normal installer paths
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-if [[ "${IN_CONTAINER}" -eq 0 ]]; then
-  # Real host
-  if command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    echo "[init-nix] Host with systemd – using multi-user install (--daemon)."
-    sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon
-  else
-    if [[ "${EUID:-0}" -eq 0 ]]; then
-      echo "[init-nix] WARNING: Running as root without systemd on host."
-      echo "[init-nix] Falling back to single-user install (--no-daemon), but this is not recommended."
-      sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --no-daemon
+    if [[ ! -d /nix ]]; then
+      echo "[init-nix] Creating /nix with owner nix:nixbld..."
+      mkdir -m 0755 /nix
+      chown nix:nixbld /nix
     else
-      echo "[init-nix] Non-root host without systemd – using single-user install (--no-daemon)."
-      sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --no-daemon
+      local current_owner current_group
+      current_owner="$(stat -c '%U' /nix 2>/dev/null || echo '?')"
+      current_group="$(stat -c '%G' /nix 2>/dev/null || echo '?')"
+      if [[ "${current_owner}" != "nix" || "${current_group}" != "nixbld" ]]; then
+        echo "[init-nix] Fixing /nix ownership from ${current_owner}:${current_group} to nix:nixbld..."
+        chown -R nix:nixbld /nix
+      fi
+      if [[ ! -w /nix ]]; then
+        echo "[init-nix] WARNING: /nix is not writable after chown; Nix installer may fail."
+      fi
     fi
-  fi
-else
+
+    install_nix_with_retry "no-daemon" "nix"
+
+    ensure_nix_on_path
+
+    if [[ -x /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix && ! -e /usr/local/bin/nix ]]; then
+      echo "[init-nix] Creating /usr/local/bin/nix symlink -> /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix"
+      ln -s /home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix /usr/local/bin/nix
+    fi
+
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  # Host (no container)
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  elif [[ "${IN_CONTAINER}" -eq 0 ]]; then
+    if command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      echo "[init-nix] Host with systemd – using multi-user install (--daemon)."
+      if [[ "${EUID:-0}" -eq 0 ]]; then
+        ensure_nix_build_group
+      fi
+      install_nix_with_retry "daemon"
+    else
+      if [[ "${EUID:-0}" -eq 0 ]]; then
+        echo "[init-nix] Host without systemd as root – using single-user install (--no-daemon)."
+        ensure_nix_build_group
+      else
+        echo "[init-nix] Host without systemd as non-root – using single-user install (--no-daemon)."
+      fi
+      install_nix_with_retry "no-daemon"
+    fi
+
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   # Container, but not root (rare)
-  echo "[init-nix] Container as non-root user – using single-user install (--no-daemon)."
-  sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --no-daemon
-fi
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  else
+    echo "[init-nix] Container as non-root – using single-user install (--no-daemon)."
+    install_nix_with_retry "no-daemon"
+  fi
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# After installation: fix PATH (runtime + shell profiles)
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-ensure_nix_on_path
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  # After installation: PATH + /etc/profile
+  # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  ensure_nix_on_path
 
-if ! command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-  echo "[init-nix] WARNING: Nix installation finished, but 'nix' is still not on PATH."
-  echo "[init-nix] You may need to source your shell profile manually."
-  exit 0
-fi
+  if ! command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "[init-nix] WARNING: Nix installation finished, but 'nix' is still not on PATH."
+    echo "[init-nix] You may need to source your shell profile manually."
+  else
+    echo "[init-nix] Nix successfully installed at: $(command -v nix)"
+  fi
 
-echo "[init-nix] Nix successfully installed at: $(command -v nix)"
-
-# Update global /etc/profile if writable (helps especially on minimal systems)
-if [[ -w /etc/profile ]]; then
-  if ! grep -q 'Nix profiles' /etc/profile 2>/dev/null; then
+  if [[ -w /etc/profile ]] && ! grep -q 'Nix profiles' /etc/profile 2>/dev/null; then
     cat <<'EOF' >> /etc/profile
 
 # Nix profiles (added by package-manager init-nix.sh)
@@ -232,6 +249,8 @@ fi
 EOF
     echo "[init-nix] Appended Nix PATH setup to /etc/profile"
   fi
-fi
 
-echo "[init-nix] Nix initialization complete."
+  echo "[init-nix] Nix initialization complete."
+}
+
+main "$@"

scripts/installation/arch/aur-builder-setup.sh

@@ -45,8 +45,42 @@ else
 fi
 
 echo "[aur-builder-setup] Ensuring yay is installed for aur_builder..."
+
 if ! "${RUN_AS_AUR[@]}" 'command -v yay >/dev/null 2>&1'; then
-  "${RUN_AS_AUR[@]}" 'cd ~ && rm -rf yay && git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git && cd yay && makepkg -si --noconfirm'
+  echo "[aur-builder-setup] yay not found – starting retry sequence for download..."
+
+  MAX_TIME=300
+  SLEEP_INTERVAL=20
+  ELAPSED=0
+
+  while true; do
+    if "${RUN_AS_AUR[@]}" '
+        set -euo pipefail
+        cd ~
+        rm -rf yay || true
+        git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git yay
+    '; then
+        echo "[aur-builder-setup] yay repository cloned successfully."
+        break
+    fi
+
+    echo "[aur-builder-setup] git clone failed (likely 504). Retrying in ${SLEEP_INTERVAL}s..."
+    sleep "${SLEEP_INTERVAL}"
+    ELAPSED=$((ELAPSED + SLEEP_INTERVAL))
+
+    if (( ELAPSED >= MAX_TIME )); then
+      echo "[aur-builder-setup] ERROR: Aborted after 5 minutes of retry attempts."
+      exit 1
+    fi
+  done
+
+  # Now build yay after successful clone
+  "${RUN_AS_AUR[@]}" '
+      set -euo pipefail
+      cd ~/yay
+      makepkg -si --noconfirm
+  '
+
 else
   echo "[aur-builder-setup] yay already installed."
 fi

scripts/installation/venv-create.sh

@@ -3,42 +3,84 @@ set -euo pipefail
 
 # venv-create.sh
 #
-# Small helper to create/update a Python virtual environment for pkgmgr.
+# Create/update a Python virtual environment for pkgmgr and install dependencies.
+#
+# Priority order:
+#  1) pyproject.toml  -> pip install (editable by default)
+#  2) requirements.txt
+#  3) _requirements.txt (legacy)
 #
 # Usage:
 #   PKGMGR_VENV_DIR=/home/dev/.venvs/pkgmgr bash scripts/installation/venv-create.sh
 # or
 #   bash scripts/installation/venv-create.sh /home/dev/.venvs/pkgmgr
+#
+# Optional:
+#   PKGMGR_PIP_EDITABLE=0           # install non-editable (default: 1)
+#   PKGMGR_PIP_EXTRAS="dev,test"    # install extras: .[dev,test]
+#   PKGMGR_PREFER_NIX=1             # print Nix hint and exit non-zero
 
 PROJECT_ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/../.." && pwd)"
 cd "${PROJECT_ROOT}"
 
 VENV_DIR="${PKGMGR_VENV_DIR:-${1:-${HOME}/.venvs/pkgmgr}}"
+PIP_EDITABLE="${PKGMGR_PIP_EDITABLE:-1}"
+PIP_EXTRAS="${PKGMGR_PIP_EXTRAS:-}"
+PREFER_NIX="${PKGMGR_PREFER_NIX:-0}"
 
 echo "[venv-create] Using VENV_DIR=${VENV_DIR}"
 
+if [[ "${PREFER_NIX}" == "1" ]]; then
+  echo "[venv-create] PKGMGR_PREFER_NIX=1 set."
+  echo "[venv-create] Hint: Use Nix instead of a venv for reproducible installs:"
+  echo "[venv-create]   nix develop"
+  echo "[venv-create]   nix run .#pkgmgr -- --help"
+  exit 2
+fi
+
 echo "[venv-create] Ensuring virtualenv parent directory exists..."
 mkdir -p "$(dirname "${VENV_DIR}")"
 
 if [[ ! -d "${VENV_DIR}" ]]; then
-    echo "[venv-create] Creating virtual environment at: ${VENV_DIR}"
-    python3 -m venv "${VENV_DIR}"
+  echo "[venv-create] Creating virtual environment at: ${VENV_DIR}"
+  python3 -m venv "${VENV_DIR}"
 else
-    echo "[venv-create] Virtual environment already exists at: ${VENV_DIR}"
+  echo "[venv-create] Virtual environment already exists at: ${VENV_DIR}"
 fi
 
 echo "[venv-create] Installing Python tooling into venv..."
 "${VENV_DIR}/bin/python" -m ensurepip --upgrade
 "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
 
-if [[ -f "requirements.txt" ]]; then
-    echo "[venv-create] Installing dependencies from requirements.txt..."
-    "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install -r requirements.txt
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Install dependencies
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+if [[ -f "pyproject.toml" ]]; then
+  echo "[venv-create] Detected pyproject.toml. Installing project via pip..."
+
+  target="."
+  if [[ -n "${PIP_EXTRAS}" ]]; then
+    target=".[${PIP_EXTRAS}]"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ "${PIP_EDITABLE}" == "1" ]]; then
+    echo "[venv-create] pip install -e ${target}"
+    "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install -e "${target}"
+  else
+    echo "[venv-create] pip install ${target}"
+    "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install "${target}"
+  fi
+
+elif [[ -f "requirements.txt" ]]; then
+  echo "[venv-create] Installing dependencies from requirements.txt..."
+  "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install -r requirements.txt
+
 elif [[ -f "_requirements.txt" ]]; then
-    echo "[venv-create] Installing dependencies from _requirements.txt..."
-    "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install -r _requirements.txt
+  echo "[venv-create] Installing dependencies from _requirements.txt (legacy)..."
+  "${VENV_DIR}/bin/pip" install -r _requirements.txt
+
 else
-    echo "[venv-create] No requirements.txt or _requirements.txt found. Skipping dependency installation."
+  echo "[venv-create] No pyproject.toml, requirements.txt, or _requirements.txt found. Skipping dependency installation."
 fi
 
 echo "[venv-create] Done."

scripts/pkgmgr-wrapper.sh

@@ -8,19 +8,18 @@ fi
 
 FLAKE_DIR="/usr/lib/package-manager"
 
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
-# Try to ensure that "nix" is on PATH
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Try to ensure that "nix" is on PATH (common locations + container user)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 if ! command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-  # Common locations for Nix installations
   CANDIDATES=(
     "/nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin/nix"
     "${HOME:-/root}/.nix-profile/bin/nix"
+    "/home/nix/.nix-profile/bin/nix"
   )
 
   for candidate in "${CANDIDATES[@]}"; do
     if [[ -x "$candidate" ]]; then
-      # Prepend the directory of the candidate to PATH
       PATH="$(dirname "$candidate"):${PATH}"
       export PATH
       break
@@ -28,13 +27,22 @@ if ! command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   done
 fi
 
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
-# Primary (and only) path: use Nix flake if available
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# If nix is still missing, try to run init-nix.sh once
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+if ! command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  if [[ -x "${FLAKE_DIR}/init-nix.sh" ]]; then
+    "${FLAKE_DIR}/init-nix.sh" || true
+  fi
+fi
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Primary path: use Nix flake if available
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 if command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   exec nix run "${FLAKE_DIR}#pkgmgr" -- "$@"
 fi
 
-echo "[pkgmgr-wrapper] ERROR: 'nix' binary not found on PATH."
+echo "[pkgmgr-wrapper] ERROR: 'nix' binary not found on PATH after init."
 echo "[pkgmgr-wrapper] Nix is required to run pkgmgr (no Python fallback)."
 exit 1

scripts/test/test-env-nix.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+IMAGE="package-manager-test-${distro}"
+
+echo "============================================================"
+echo ">>> Running Nix flake-only test in ${distro} container"
+echo ">>> Image: ${IMAGE}"
+echo "============================================================"
+
+docker run --rm \
+  -v "$(pwd):/src" \
+  -v "pkgmgr_nix_store_${distro}:/nix" \
+  -v "pkgmgr_nix_cache_${distro}:/root/.cache/nix" \
+  --workdir /src \
+  -e PKGMGR_DEV=0 \
+  "${IMAGE}" \
+  bash -lc '
+    set -euo pipefail
+
+    if command -v git >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      git config --global --add safe.directory /src || true
+      git config --global --add safe.directory /src/.git || true
+      git config --global --add safe.directory "*" || true
+    fi
+
+    echo ">>> preflight: nix must exist in image"
+    if ! command -v nix >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      echo "NO_NIX"
+      echo "ERROR: nix not found in image '\'''"${IMAGE}"''\'' (distro='"${distro}"')"
+      echo "HINT: Ensure Nix is installed during image build for this distro."
+      exit 1
+    fi
+
+    echo ">>> nix version"
+    nix --version
+
+    echo ">>> nix flake show"
+    nix flake show . --no-write-lock-file >/dev/null
+
+    echo ">>> nix build .#default"
+    nix build .#default --no-link --no-write-lock-file
+
+    echo ">>> nix run .#pkgmgr -- --help"
+    nix run .#pkgmgr -- --help --no-write-lock-file
+
+    echo ">>> OK: Nix flake-only test succeeded."
+  '

scripts/test/test-env-virtual.sh

@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@ IMAGE="package-manager-test-$distro"
 
 echo
 echo "------------------------------------------------------------"
-echo ">>> Testing container: $IMAGE"
+echo ">>> Testing VENV: $IMAGE"
 echo "------------------------------------------------------------"
-echo "[test-container] Inspect image metadata:"
+echo "[test-env-virtual] Inspect image metadata:"
 docker image inspect "$IMAGE" | sed -n '1,40p'
 
-echo "[test-container] Running: docker run --rm --entrypoint pkgmgr $IMAGE --help"
+echo "[test-env-virtual] Running: docker run --rm --entrypoint pkgmgr $IMAGE --help"
 echo
 
 # Run the command and capture the output
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ if OUTPUT=$(docker run --rm \
         "$IMAGE" 2>&1); then
     echo "$OUTPUT"
     echo
-    echo "[test-container] SUCCESS: $IMAGE responded to 'pkgmgr --help'"
+    echo "[test-env-virtual] SUCCESS: $IMAGE responded to 'pkgmgr --help'"
 
 else
     echo "$OUTPUT"
     echo
-    echo "[test-container] ERROR: $IMAGE failed to run 'pkgmgr --help'"
+    echo "[test-env-virtual] ERROR: $IMAGE failed to run 'pkgmgr --help'"
     exit 1
 fi

src/pkgmgr/actions/branch/__init__.py

@@ -1,235 +1,14 @@
-# pkgmgr/actions/branch/__init__.py
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-
 """
-High-level helpers for branch-related operations.
-
-This module encapsulates the actual Git logic so the CLI layer
-(pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch) stays thin and testable.
+Public API for branch actions.
 """
 
-from __future__ import annotations
+from .open_branch import open_branch
+from .close_branch import close_branch
+from .drop_branch import drop_branch
 
-from typing import Optional
-
-from pkgmgr.core.git import run_git, GitError, get_current_branch
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Branch creation (open)
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-def open_branch(
-    name: Optional[str],
-    base_branch: str = "main",
-    fallback_base: str = "master",
-    cwd: str = ".",
-) -> None:
-    """
-    Create and push a new feature branch on top of a base branch.
-
-    The base branch is resolved by:
-        1. Trying 'base_branch' (default: 'main')
-        2. Falling back to 'fallback_base' (default: 'master')
-
-    Steps:
-        1) git fetch origin
-        2) git checkout <resolved_base>
-        3) git pull origin <resolved_base>
-        4) git checkout -b <name>
-        5) git push -u origin <name>
-
-    If `name` is None or empty, the user is prompted to enter one.
-    """
-
-    # Request name interactively if not provided
-    if not name:
-        name = input("Enter new branch name: ").strip()
-
-    if not name:
-        raise RuntimeError("Branch name must not be empty.")
-
-    # Resolve which base branch to use (main or master)
-    resolved_base = _resolve_base_branch(base_branch, fallback_base, cwd=cwd)
-
-    # 1) Fetch from origin
-    try:
-        run_git(["fetch", "origin"], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to fetch from origin before creating branch {name!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 2) Checkout base branch
-    try:
-        run_git(["checkout", resolved_base], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to checkout base branch {resolved_base!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 3) Pull latest changes for base branch
-    try:
-        run_git(["pull", "origin", resolved_base], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to pull latest changes for base branch {resolved_base!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 4) Create new branch
-    try:
-        run_git(["checkout", "-b", name], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to create new branch {name!r} from base {resolved_base!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 5) Push new branch to origin
-    try:
-        run_git(["push", "-u", "origin", name], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to push new branch {name!r} to origin: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Base branch resolver (shared by open/close)
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-def _resolve_base_branch(
-    preferred: str,
-    fallback: str,
-    cwd: str,
-) -> str:
-    """
-    Resolve the base branch to use.
-
-    Try `preferred` first (default: main),
-    fall back to `fallback` (default: master).
-
-    Raise RuntimeError if neither exists.
-    """
-    for candidate in (preferred, fallback):
-        try:
-            run_git(["rev-parse", "--verify", candidate], cwd=cwd)
-            return candidate
-        except GitError:
-            continue
-
-    raise RuntimeError(
-        f"Neither {preferred!r} nor {fallback!r} exist in this repository."
-    )
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Branch closing (merge + deletion)
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-def close_branch(
-    name: Optional[str],
-    base_branch: str = "main",
-    fallback_base: str = "master",
-    cwd: str = ".",
-) -> None:
-    """
-    Merge a feature branch into the base branch and delete it afterwards.
-
-    Steps:
-        1) Determine the branch name (argument or current branch)
-        2) Resolve base branch (main/master)
-        3) Ask for confirmation
-        4) git fetch origin
-        5) git checkout <base>
-        6) git pull origin <base>
-        7) git merge --no-ff <name>
-        8) git push origin <base>
-        9) Delete branch locally
-       10) Delete branch on origin (best effort)
-    """
-
-    # 1) Determine which branch should be closed
-    if not name:
-        try:
-            name = get_current_branch(cwd=cwd)
-        except GitError as exc:
-            raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to detect current branch: {exc}") from exc
-
-    if not name:
-        raise RuntimeError("Branch name must not be empty.")
-
-    # 2) Resolve base branch
-    target_base = _resolve_base_branch(base_branch, fallback_base, cwd=cwd)
-
-    if name == target_base:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Refusing to close base branch {target_base!r}. "
-            "Please specify a feature branch."
-        )
-
-    # 3) Ask user for confirmation
-    prompt = (
-        f"Merge branch '{name}' into '{target_base}' and delete it afterwards? "
-        "(y/N): "
-    )
-    answer = input(prompt).strip().lower()
-    if answer != "y":
-        print("Aborted closing branch.")
-        return
-
-    # 4) Fetch from origin
-    try:
-        run_git(["fetch", "origin"], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to fetch from origin before closing branch {name!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 5) Checkout base
-    try:
-        run_git(["checkout", target_base], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to checkout base branch {target_base!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 6) Pull latest base state
-    try:
-        run_git(["pull", "origin", target_base], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to pull latest changes for base branch {target_base!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 7) Merge the feature branch
-    try:
-        run_git(["merge", "--no-ff", name], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to merge branch {name!r} into {target_base!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 8) Push updated base
-    try:
-        run_git(["push", "origin", target_base], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to push base branch {target_base!r} after merge: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 9) Delete branch locally
-    try:
-        run_git(["branch", "-d", name], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Failed to delete local branch {name!r}: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
-
-    # 10) Delete branch on origin (best effort)
-    try:
-        run_git(["push", "origin", "--delete", name], cwd=cwd)
-    except GitError as exc:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            f"Branch {name!r} was deleted locally, but remote deletion failed: {exc}"
-        ) from exc
+__all__ = [
+    "open_branch",
+    "close_branch",
+    "drop_branch",
+]

src/pkgmgr/actions/branch/close_branch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Optional
+from pkgmgr.core.git import run_git, GitError, get_current_branch
+from .utils import _resolve_base_branch
+
+
+def close_branch(
+    name: Optional[str],
+    base_branch: str = "main",
+    fallback_base: str = "master",
+    cwd: str = ".",
+    force: bool = False,
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Merge a feature branch into the base branch and delete it afterwards.
+    """
+
+    # Determine branch name
+    if not name:
+        try:
+            name = get_current_branch(cwd=cwd)
+        except GitError as exc:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to detect current branch: {exc}") from exc
+
+    if not name:
+        raise RuntimeError("Branch name must not be empty.")
+
+    target_base = _resolve_base_branch(base_branch, fallback_base, cwd=cwd)
+
+    if name == target_base:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Refusing to close base branch {target_base!r}. "
+            "Please specify a feature branch."
+        )
+
+    # Confirmation
+    if not force:
+        answer = input(
+            f"Merge branch '{name}' into '{target_base}' and delete it afterwards? (y/N): "
+        ).strip().lower()
+        if answer != "y":
+            print("Aborted closing branch.")
+            return
+
+    # Fetch
+    try:
+        run_git(["fetch", "origin"], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to fetch from origin before closing branch {name!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # Checkout base
+    try:
+        run_git(["checkout", target_base], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to checkout base branch {target_base!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # Pull latest
+    try:
+        run_git(["pull", "origin", target_base], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to pull latest changes for base branch {target_base!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # Merge
+    try:
+        run_git(["merge", "--no-ff", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to merge branch {name!r} into {target_base!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # Push result
+    try:
+        run_git(["push", "origin", target_base], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to push base branch {target_base!r} after merge: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # Delete local
+    try:
+        run_git(["branch", "-d", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to delete local branch {name!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # Delete remote
+    try:
+        run_git(["push", "origin", "--delete", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Branch {name!r} deleted locally, but remote deletion failed: {exc}"
+        ) from exc

src/pkgmgr/actions/branch/drop_branch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Optional
+from pkgmgr.core.git import run_git, GitError, get_current_branch
+from .utils import _resolve_base_branch
+
+
+def drop_branch(
+    name: Optional[str],
+    base_branch: str = "main",
+    fallback_base: str = "master",
+    cwd: str = ".",
+    force: bool = False,
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Delete a branch locally and remotely without merging.
+    """
+
+    if not name:
+        try:
+            name = get_current_branch(cwd=cwd)
+        except GitError as exc:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to detect current branch: {exc}") from exc
+
+    if not name:
+        raise RuntimeError("Branch name must not be empty.")
+
+    target_base = _resolve_base_branch(base_branch, fallback_base, cwd=cwd)
+
+    if name == target_base:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Refusing to drop base branch {target_base!r}. It cannot be deleted."
+        )
+
+    # Confirmation
+    if not force:
+        answer = input(
+            f"Delete branch '{name}' locally and on origin? This is destructive! (y/N): "
+        ).strip().lower()
+        if answer != "y":
+            print("Aborted dropping branch.")
+            return
+
+    # Local delete
+    try:
+        run_git(["branch", "-d", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to delete local branch {name!r}: {exc}") from exc
+
+    # Remote delete
+    try:
+        run_git(["push", "origin", "--delete", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Branch {name!r} was deleted locally, but remote deletion failed: {exc}"
+        ) from exc

src/pkgmgr/actions/branch/open_branch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Optional
+from pkgmgr.core.git import run_git, GitError
+from .utils import _resolve_base_branch
+
+
+def open_branch(
+    name: Optional[str],
+    base_branch: str = "main",
+    fallback_base: str = "master",
+    cwd: str = ".",
+) -> None:
+    """
+    Create and push a new feature branch on top of a base branch.
+    """
+
+    # Request name interactively if not provided
+    if not name:
+        name = input("Enter new branch name: ").strip()
+
+    if not name:
+        raise RuntimeError("Branch name must not be empty.")
+
+    resolved_base = _resolve_base_branch(base_branch, fallback_base, cwd=cwd)
+
+    # 1) Fetch from origin
+    try:
+        run_git(["fetch", "origin"], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to fetch from origin before creating branch {name!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # 2) Checkout base branch
+    try:
+        run_git(["checkout", resolved_base], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to checkout base branch {resolved_base!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # 3) Pull latest changes
+    try:
+        run_git(["pull", "origin", resolved_base], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to pull latest changes for base branch {resolved_base!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # 4) Create new branch
+    try:
+        run_git(["checkout", "-b", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to create new branch {name!r} from base {resolved_base!r}: {exc}"
+        ) from exc
+
+    # 5) Push new branch
+    try:
+        run_git(["push", "-u", "origin", name], cwd=cwd)
+    except GitError as exc:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"Failed to push new branch {name!r} to origin: {exc}"
+        ) from exc

src/pkgmgr/actions/branch/utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+from pkgmgr.core.git import run_git, GitError
+
+
+def _resolve_base_branch(
+    preferred: str,
+    fallback: str,
+    cwd: str,
+) -> str:
+    """
+    Resolve the base branch to use.
+
+    Try `preferred` first (default: main),
+    fall back to `fallback` (default: master).
+
+    Raise RuntimeError if neither exists.
+    """
+    for candidate in (preferred, fallback):
+        try:
+            run_git(["rev-parse", "--verify", candidate], cwd=cwd)
+            return candidate
+        except GitError:
+            continue
+
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        f"Neither {preferred!r} nor {fallback!r} exist in this repository."
+    )

src/pkgmgr/actions/install/installers/nix_flake.py

@@ -139,22 +139,27 @@ class NixFlakeInstaller(BaseInstaller):
 
         for output, allow_failure in outputs:
             cmd = f"nix profile install {ctx.repo_dir}#{output}"
+            print(f"[INFO] Running: {cmd}")
+            ret = os.system(cmd)
 
-            try:
-                run_command(
-                    cmd,
-                    cwd=ctx.repo_dir,
-                    preview=ctx.preview,
-                    allow_failure=allow_failure,
-                )
+            # Extract real exit code from os.system() result
+            if os.WIFEXITED(ret):
+                exit_code = os.WEXITSTATUS(ret)
+            else:
+                # abnormal termination (signal etc.) – keep raw value
+                exit_code = ret
+
+            if exit_code == 0:
                 print(f"Nix flake output '{output}' successfully installed.")
-            except SystemExit as e:
-                print(f"[Error] Failed to install Nix flake output '{output}': {e}")
-                if not allow_failure:
-                    # Mandatory output failed → fatal for the pipeline.
-                    raise
-                # Optional output failed → log and continue.
-                print(
-                    "[Warning] Continuing despite failure to install "
-                    f"optional output '{output}'."
-                )
+                continue
+
+            print(f"[Error] Failed to install Nix flake output '{output}'")
+            print(f"[Error] Command exited with code {exit_code}")
+
+            if not allow_failure:
+                raise SystemExit(exit_code)
+
+            print(
+                "[Warning] Continuing despite failure to install "
+                f"optional output '{output}'."
+            )

src/pkgmgr/actions/release/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+# Release Action
+
+This module implements the `pkgmgr release` workflow.
+
+It provides a controlled, reproducible release process that:
+- bumps the project version
+- updates all supported packaging formats
+- creates and pushes Git tags
+- optionally maintains a floating `latest` tag
+- optionally closes the current branch
+
+The implementation is intentionally explicit and conservative to avoid
+accidental releases or broken Git states.
+
+---
+
+## What the Release Command Does
+
+A release performs the following high-level steps:
+
+1. Synchronize the current branch with its upstream (fast-forward only)
+2. Determine the next semantic version
+3. Update all versioned files
+4. Commit the release
+5. Create and push a version tag
+6. Optionally update and push the floating `latest` tag
+7. Optionally close the current branch
+
+All steps support **preview (dry-run)** mode.
+
+---
+
+## Supported Files Updated During a Release
+
+If present, the following files are updated automatically:
+
+- `pyproject.toml`
+- `CHANGELOG.md`
+- `flake.nix`
+- `PKGBUILD`
+- `package-manager.spec`
+- `debian/changelog`
+
+Missing files are skipped gracefully.
+
+---
+
+## Git Safety Rules
+
+The release workflow enforces strict Git safety guarantees:
+
+- A `git pull --ff-only` is executed **before any file modifications**
+- No merge commits are ever created automatically
+- Only the current branch and the newly created version tag are pushed
+- `git push --tags` is intentionally **not** used
+- The floating `latest` tag is force-pushed only when required
+
+---
+
+## Semantic Versioning
+
+The next version is calculated from existing Git tags:
+
+- Tags must follow the format `vX.Y.Z`
+- The release type controls the version bump:
+  - `patch`
+  - `minor`
+  - `major`
+
+The new tag is always created as an **annotated tag**.
+
+---
+
+## Floating `latest` Tag
+
+The floating `latest` tag is handled explicitly:
+
+- `latest` is updated **only if** the new version is the highest existing version
+- Version comparison uses natural version sorting (`sort -V`)
+- `latest` always points to the commit behind the version tag
+- Updating `latest` uses a forced push by design
+
+This guarantees that `latest` always represents the highest released version,
+never an older release.
+
+---
+
+## Preview Mode
+
+Preview mode (`--preview`) performs a full dry-run:
+
+- No files are modified
+- No Git commands are executed
+- All intended actions are printed
+
+Example preview output includes:
+- version bump
+- file updates
+- commit message
+- tag creation
+- branch and tag pushes
+- `latest` update (if applicable)
+
+---
+
+## Interactive vs Forced Mode
+
+### Interactive (default)
+
+1. Run a preview
+2. Ask for confirmation
+3. Execute the real release
+
+### Forced (`--force`)
+
+- Skips preview and confirmation
+- Skips branch deletion prompts
+- Executes the release immediately
+
+---
+
+## Branch Closing (`--close`)
+
+When `--close` is enabled:
+
+- `main` and `master` are **never** deleted
+- Other branches:
+  - prompt for confirmation (`y/N`)
+  - can be skipped using `--force`
+- Branch deletion happens **only after** a successful release
+
+---
+
+## Execution Flow (ASCII Diagram)
+
+```
+
++---------------------+
+| pkgmgr release      |
++----------+----------+
+|
+v
++---------------------+
+| Detect branch       |
++----------+----------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| git fetch / pull --ff-only   |
++----------+-------------------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| Determine next version       |
++----------+-------------------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| Update versioned files       |
++----------+-------------------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| Commit release               |
++----------+-------------------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| Create version tag (vX.Y.Z)  |
++----------+-------------------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| Push branch + version tag    |
++----------+-------------------+
+|
+v
++---------------------------------------+
+| Is this the highest version?           |
++----------+----------------------------+
+|
+yes  |  no
+|
+v
++------------------------------+        +----------------------+
+| Update & push `latest` tag   |        | Skip `latest` update |
++----------+-------------------+        +----------------------+
+|
+v
++------------------------------+
+| Close branch (optional)      |
++------------------------------+
+
+```
+
+---
+
+## Design Goals
+
+- Deterministic and reproducible releases
+- No implicit Git side effects
+- Explicit tag handling
+- Safe defaults for interactive usage
+- Automation-friendly forced mode
+- Clear separation of concerns:
+  - `workflow.py` – orchestration
+  - `git_ops.py` – Git operations
+  - `prompts.py` – user interaction
+  - `versioning.py` – SemVer logic
+
+---
+
+## Summary
+
+`pkgmgr release` is a **deliberately strict** release mechanism.
+
+It trades convenience for safety, traceability, and correctness — making it
+suitable for both interactive development workflows and fully automated CI/CD

src/pkgmgr/actions/release/__init__.py

@@ -1,310 +1,5 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-
-"""
-Release helper for pkgmgr (public entry point).
-
-This package provides the high-level `release()` function used by the
-pkgmgr CLI to perform versioned releases:
-
-  - Determine the next semantic version based on existing Git tags.
-  - Update pyproject.toml with the new version.
-  - Update additional packaging files (flake.nix, PKGBUILD,
-    debian/changelog, RPM spec) where present.
-  - Prepend a basic entry to CHANGELOG.md.
-  - Move the floating 'latest' tag to the newly created release tag so
-    the newest release is always marked as latest.
-
-Additional behaviour:
-  - If `preview=True` (from --preview), no files are written and no
-    Git commands are executed. Instead, a detailed summary of the
-    planned changes and commands is printed.
-  - If `preview=False` and not forced, the release is executed in two
-    phases:
-      1) Preview-only run (dry-run).
-      2) Interactive confirmation, then real release if confirmed.
-    This confirmation can be skipped with the `force=True` flag.
-  - Before creating and pushing tags, main/master is updated from origin
-    when the release is performed on one of these branches.
-  - If `close=True` is used and the current branch is not main/master,
-    the branch will be closed via branch_commands.close_branch() after
-    a successful release.
-"""
-
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import os
-import sys
-from typing import Optional
-
-from pkgmgr.core.git import get_current_branch, GitError
-from pkgmgr.actions.branch import close_branch
-
-from .versioning import determine_current_version, bump_semver
-from .git_ops import run_git_command, sync_branch_with_remote, update_latest_tag
-from .files import (
-    update_pyproject_version,
-    update_flake_version,
-    update_pkgbuild_version,
-    update_spec_version,
-    update_changelog,
-    update_debian_changelog,
-    update_spec_changelog,
-)
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Internal implementation (single-phase, preview or real)
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-def _release_impl(
-    pyproject_path: str = "pyproject.toml",
-    changelog_path: str = "CHANGELOG.md",
-    release_type: str = "patch",
-    message: Optional[str] = None,
-    preview: bool = False,
-    close: bool = False,
-) -> None:
-    """
-    Internal implementation that performs a single-phase release.
-    """
-    current_ver = determine_current_version()
-    new_ver = bump_semver(current_ver, release_type)
-    new_ver_str = str(new_ver)
-    new_tag = new_ver.to_tag(with_prefix=True)
-
-    mode = "PREVIEW" if preview else "REAL"
-    print(f"Release mode: {mode}")
-    print(f"Current version: {current_ver}")
-    print(f"New version:     {new_ver_str} ({release_type})")
-
-    repo_root = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(pyproject_path))
-
-    # Update core project metadata and packaging files
-    update_pyproject_version(pyproject_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
-    changelog_message = update_changelog(
-        changelog_path,
-        new_ver_str,
-        message=message,
-        preview=preview,
-    )
-
-    flake_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "flake.nix")
-    update_flake_version(flake_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
-
-    pkgbuild_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "PKGBUILD")
-    update_pkgbuild_version(pkgbuild_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
-
-    spec_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "package-manager.spec")
-    update_spec_version(spec_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
-
-    # Determine a single effective_message to be reused across all
-    # changelog targets (project, Debian, Fedora).
-    effective_message: Optional[str] = message
-    if effective_message is None and isinstance(changelog_message, str):
-        if changelog_message.strip():
-            effective_message = changelog_message.strip()
-
-    debian_changelog_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "debian", "changelog")
-    package_name = os.path.basename(repo_root) or "package-manager"
-
-    # Debian changelog
-    update_debian_changelog(
-        debian_changelog_path,
-        package_name=package_name,
-        new_version=new_ver_str,
-        message=effective_message,
-        preview=preview,
-    )
-
-    # Fedora / RPM %changelog
-    update_spec_changelog(
-        spec_path=spec_path,
-        package_name=package_name,
-        new_version=new_ver_str,
-        message=effective_message,
-        preview=preview,
-    )
-
-    commit_msg = f"Release version {new_ver_str}"
-    tag_msg = effective_message or commit_msg
-
-    # Determine branch and ensure it is up to date if main/master
-    try:
-        branch = get_current_branch() or "main"
-    except GitError:
-        branch = "main"
-    print(f"Releasing on branch: {branch}")
-
-    # Ensure main/master are up-to-date from origin before creating and
-    # pushing tags. For other branches we only log the intent.
-    sync_branch_with_remote(branch, preview=preview)
-
-    files_to_add = [
-        pyproject_path,
-        changelog_path,
-        flake_path,
-        pkgbuild_path,
-        spec_path,
-        debian_changelog_path,
-    ]
-    existing_files = [p for p in files_to_add if p and os.path.exists(p)]
-
-    if preview:
-        for path in existing_files:
-            print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git add {path}")
-        print(f'[PREVIEW] Would run: git commit -am "{commit_msg}"')
-        print(f'[PREVIEW] Would run: git tag -a {new_tag} -m "{tag_msg}"')
-        print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git push origin {branch}")
-        print("[PREVIEW] Would run: git push origin --tags")
-
-        # Also update the floating 'latest' tag to the new highest SemVer.
-        update_latest_tag(new_tag, preview=True)
-
-        if close and branch not in ("main", "master"):
-            print(
-                f"[PREVIEW] Would also close branch {branch} after the release "
-                "(close=True and branch is not main/master)."
-            )
-        elif close:
-            print(
-                f"[PREVIEW] close=True but current branch is {branch}; "
-                "no branch would be closed."
-            )
-
-        print("Preview completed. No changes were made.")
-        return
-
-    for path in existing_files:
-        run_git_command(f"git add {path}")
-
-    run_git_command(f'git commit -am "{commit_msg}"')
-    run_git_command(f'git tag -a {new_tag} -m "{tag_msg}"')
-    run_git_command(f"git push origin {branch}")
-    run_git_command("git push origin --tags")
-
-    # Move 'latest' to the new release tag so the newest SemVer is always
-    # marked as latest. This is best-effort and must not break the release.
-    try:
-        update_latest_tag(new_tag, preview=False)
-    except GitError as exc:  # pragma: no cover
-        print(
-            f"[WARN] Failed to update floating 'latest' tag for {new_tag}: {exc}\n"
-            "[WARN] The release itself completed successfully; only the "
-            "'latest' tag was not updated."
-        )
-
-    print(f"Release {new_ver_str} completed.")
-
-    if close:
-        if branch in ("main", "master"):
-            print(
-                f"[INFO] close=True but current branch is {branch}; "
-                "nothing to close."
-            )
-            return
-
-        print(
-            f"[INFO] Closing branch {branch} after successful release "
-            "(close=True and branch is not main/master)..."
-        )
-        try:
-            close_branch(name=branch, base_branch="main", cwd=".")
-        except Exception as exc:  # pragma: no cover
-            print(f"[WARN] Failed to close branch {branch} automatically: {exc}")
-
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Public release entry point
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-def release(
-    pyproject_path: str = "pyproject.toml",
-    changelog_path: str = "CHANGELOG.md",
-    release_type: str = "patch",
-    message: Optional[str] = None,
-    preview: bool = False,
-    force: bool = False,
-    close: bool = False,
-) -> None:
-    """
-    High-level release entry point.
-
-    Modes:
-
-    - preview=True:
-        * Single-phase PREVIEW only.
-
-    - preview=False, force=True:
-        * Single-phase REAL release, no interactive preview.
-
-    - preview=False, force=False:
-        * Two-phase flow (intended default for interactive CLI use).
-    """
-    if preview:
-        _release_impl(
-            pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
-            changelog_path=changelog_path,
-            release_type=release_type,
-            message=message,
-            preview=True,
-            close=close,
-        )
-        return
-
-    if force:
-        _release_impl(
-            pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
-            changelog_path=changelog_path,
-            release_type=release_type,
-            message=message,
-            preview=False,
-            close=close,
-        )
-        return
-
-    if not sys.stdin.isatty():
-        _release_impl(
-            pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
-            changelog_path=changelog_path,
-            release_type=release_type,
-            message=message,
-            preview=False,
-            close=close,
-        )
-        return
-
-    print("[INFO] Running preview before actual release...\n")
-    _release_impl(
-        pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
-        changelog_path=changelog_path,
-        release_type=release_type,
-        message=message,
-        preview=True,
-        close=close,
-    )
-
-    try:
-        answer = input("Proceed with the actual release? [y/N]: ").strip().lower()
-    except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
-        print("\n[INFO] Release aborted (no confirmation).")
-        return
-
-    if answer not in ("y", "yes"):
-        print("Release aborted by user. No changes were made.")
-        return
-
-    print("\n[INFO] Running REAL release...\n")
-    _release_impl(
-        pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
-        changelog_path=changelog_path,
-        release_type=release_type,
-        message=message,
-        preview=False,
-        close=close,
-    )
-
+from .workflow import release
 
 __all__ = ["release"]

src/pkgmgr/actions/release/git_ops.py

@@ -1,16 +1,3 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-
-"""
-Git-related helpers for the release workflow.
-
-Responsibilities:
-  - Run Git (or shell) commands with basic error reporting.
-  - Ensure main/master are synchronized with origin before tagging.
-  - Maintain the floating 'latest' tag that always points to the newest
-    release tag.
-"""
-
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import subprocess
@@ -19,77 +6,87 @@ from pkgmgr.core.git import GitError
 
 
 def run_git_command(cmd: str) -> None:
-    """
-    Run a Git (or shell) command with basic error reporting.
-
-    The command is executed via the shell, primarily for readability
-    when printed (as in 'git commit -am "msg"').
-    """
     print(f"[GIT] {cmd}")
     try:
-        subprocess.run(cmd, shell=True, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(
+            cmd,
+            shell=True,
+            check=True,
+            text=True,
+            capture_output=True,
+        )
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError as exc:
         print(f"[ERROR] Git command failed: {cmd}")
         print(f"        Exit code: {exc.returncode}")
         if exc.stdout:
-            print("--- stdout ---")
-            print(exc.stdout)
+            print("\n" + exc.stdout)
         if exc.stderr:
-            print("--- stderr ---")
-            print(exc.stderr)
+            print("\n" + exc.stderr)
         raise GitError(f"Git command failed: {cmd}") from exc
 
 
-def sync_branch_with_remote(branch: str, preview: bool = False) -> None:
-    """
-    Ensure the local main/master branch is up-to-date before tagging.
+def _capture(cmd: str) -> str:
+    res = subprocess.run(cmd, shell=True, check=False, capture_output=True, text=True)
+    return (res.stdout or "").strip()
 
-    Behaviour:
-      - For main/master: run 'git fetch origin' and 'git pull origin <branch>'.
-      - For all other branches: only log that no automatic sync is performed.
+
+def ensure_clean_and_synced(preview: bool = False) -> None:
     """
-    if branch not in ("main", "master"):
-        print(
-            f"[INFO] Skipping automatic git pull for non-main/master branch "
-            f"{branch}."
-        )
+    Always run a pull BEFORE modifying anything.
+    Uses --ff-only to avoid creating merge commits automatically.
+    If no upstream is configured, we skip.
+    """
+    upstream = _capture("git rev-parse --abbrev-ref --symbolic-full-name @{u} 2>/dev/null")
+    if not upstream:
+        print("[INFO] No upstream configured for current branch. Skipping pull.")
         return
 
-    print(
-        f"[INFO] Updating branch {branch} from origin before creating tags..."
-    )
-
     if preview:
-        print("[PREVIEW] Would run: git fetch origin")
-        print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git pull origin {branch}")
+        print("[PREVIEW] Would run: git fetch origin --prune --tags --force")
+        print("[PREVIEW] Would run: git pull --ff-only")
         return
 
-    run_git_command("git fetch origin")
-    run_git_command(f"git pull origin {branch}")
+    print("[INFO] Syncing with remote before making any changes...")
+    run_git_command("git fetch origin --prune --tags --force")
+    run_git_command("git pull --ff-only")
+
+def is_highest_version_tag(tag: str) -> bool:
+    """
+    Return True if `tag` is the highest version among all tags matching v*.
+    Comparison uses `sort -V` for natural version ordering.
+    """
+    all_v = _capture("git tag --list 'v*'")
+    if not all_v:
+        return True  # No tags yet, so the current tag is the highest
+
+    # Get the latest tag in natural version order
+    latest = _capture("git tag --list 'v*' | sort -V | tail -n1")
+    print(f"[INFO] Latest tag: {latest}, Current tag: {tag}")
+    
+    # Ensure that the current tag is always considered the highest if it's the latest one
+    return tag >= latest  # Use comparison operator to consider all future tags
 
 
 def update_latest_tag(new_tag: str, preview: bool = False) -> None:
     """
     Move the floating 'latest' tag to the newly created release tag.
 
-    Implementation details:
-      - We explicitly dereference the tag object via `<tag>^{}` so that
-        'latest' always points at the underlying commit, not at another tag.
-      - We create/update 'latest' as an annotated tag with a short message so
-        Git configurations that enforce annotated/signed tags do not fail
-        with "no tag message".
+    Notes:
+    - We dereference the tag object via `<tag>^{}` so that 'latest' points to the commit.
+    - 'latest' is forced (floating tag), therefore the push uses --force.
     """
     target_ref = f"{new_tag}^{{}}"
     print(f"[INFO] Updating 'latest' tag to point at {new_tag} (commit {target_ref})...")
 
     if preview:
-        print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git tag -f -a latest {target_ref} "
-              f'-m "Floating latest tag for {new_tag}"')
+        print(
+            f'[PREVIEW] Would run: git tag -f -a latest {target_ref} '
+            f'-m "Floating latest tag for {new_tag}"'
+        )
         print("[PREVIEW] Would run: git push origin latest --force")
         return
 
     run_git_command(
-        f'git tag -f -a latest {target_ref} '
-        f'-m "Floating latest tag for {new_tag}"'
+        f'git tag -f -a latest {target_ref} -m "Floating latest tag for {new_tag}"'
     )
     run_git_command("git push origin latest --force")

src/pkgmgr/actions/release/prompts.py

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+
+
+def should_delete_branch(force: bool) -> bool:
+    """
+    Ask whether the current branch should be deleted after a successful release.
+
+    - If force=True: skip prompt and return True.
+    - If non-interactive stdin: do NOT delete by default.
+    """
+    if force:
+        return True
+    if not sys.stdin.isatty():
+        return False
+    answer = input("Delete the current branch after release? [y/N] ").strip().lower()
+    return answer in ("y", "yes")
+
+
+def confirm_proceed_release() -> bool:
+    """
+    Ask whether to proceed with the REAL release after the preview phase.
+    """
+    try:
+        answer = input("Proceed with the actual release? [y/N]: ").strip().lower()
+    except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
+        return False
+    return answer in ("y", "yes")

src/pkgmgr/actions/release/workflow.py

@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+from typing import Optional
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.branch import close_branch
+from pkgmgr.core.git import get_current_branch, GitError
+
+from .files import (
+    update_changelog,
+    update_debian_changelog,
+    update_flake_version,
+    update_pkgbuild_version,
+    update_pyproject_version,
+    update_spec_changelog,
+    update_spec_version,
+)
+from .git_ops import (
+    ensure_clean_and_synced,
+    is_highest_version_tag,
+    run_git_command,
+    update_latest_tag,
+)
+from .prompts import confirm_proceed_release, should_delete_branch
+from .versioning import bump_semver, determine_current_version
+
+
+def _release_impl(
+    pyproject_path: str = "pyproject.toml",
+    changelog_path: str = "CHANGELOG.md",
+    release_type: str = "patch",
+    message: Optional[str] = None,
+    preview: bool = False,
+    close: bool = False,
+    force: bool = False,
+) -> None:
+    # Determine current branch early
+    try:
+        branch = get_current_branch() or "main"
+    except GitError:
+        branch = "main"
+    print(f"Releasing on branch: {branch}")
+
+    # Pull BEFORE making any modifications
+    ensure_clean_and_synced(preview=preview)
+
+    current_ver = determine_current_version()
+    new_ver = bump_semver(current_ver, release_type)
+    new_ver_str = str(new_ver)
+    new_tag = new_ver.to_tag(with_prefix=True)
+
+    mode = "PREVIEW" if preview else "REAL"
+    print(f"Release mode: {mode}")
+    print(f"Current version: {current_ver}")
+    print(f"New version:     {new_ver_str} ({release_type})")
+
+    repo_root = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(pyproject_path))
+
+    update_pyproject_version(pyproject_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
+    changelog_message = update_changelog(
+        changelog_path,
+        new_ver_str,
+        message=message,
+        preview=preview,
+    )
+
+    flake_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "flake.nix")
+    update_flake_version(flake_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
+
+    pkgbuild_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "PKGBUILD")
+    update_pkgbuild_version(pkgbuild_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
+
+    spec_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "package-manager.spec")
+    update_spec_version(spec_path, new_ver_str, preview=preview)
+
+    effective_message: Optional[str] = message
+    if effective_message is None and isinstance(changelog_message, str):
+        if changelog_message.strip():
+            effective_message = changelog_message.strip()
+
+    debian_changelog_path = os.path.join(repo_root, "debian", "changelog")
+    package_name = os.path.basename(repo_root) or "package-manager"
+
+    update_debian_changelog(
+        debian_changelog_path,
+        package_name=package_name,
+        new_version=new_ver_str,
+        message=effective_message,
+        preview=preview,
+    )
+
+    update_spec_changelog(
+        spec_path=spec_path,
+        package_name=package_name,
+        new_version=new_ver_str,
+        message=effective_message,
+        preview=preview,
+    )
+
+    commit_msg = f"Release version {new_ver_str}"
+    tag_msg = effective_message or commit_msg
+
+    files_to_add = [
+        pyproject_path,
+        changelog_path,
+        flake_path,
+        pkgbuild_path,
+        spec_path,
+        debian_changelog_path,
+    ]
+    existing_files = [p for p in files_to_add if p and os.path.exists(p)]
+
+    if preview:
+        for path in existing_files:
+            print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git add {path}")
+        print(f'[PREVIEW] Would run: git commit -am "{commit_msg}"')
+        print(f'[PREVIEW] Would run: git tag -a {new_tag} -m "{tag_msg}"')
+        print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git push origin {branch}")
+        print(f"[PREVIEW] Would run: git push origin {new_tag}")
+
+        if is_highest_version_tag(new_tag):
+            update_latest_tag(new_tag, preview=True)
+        else:
+            print(f"[PREVIEW] Skipping 'latest' update (tag {new_tag} is not the highest).")
+
+        if close and branch not in ("main", "master"):
+            if force:
+                print(f"[PREVIEW] Would delete branch {branch} (forced).")
+            else:
+                print(f"[PREVIEW] Would ask whether to delete branch {branch} after release.")
+        return
+
+    for path in existing_files:
+        run_git_command(f"git add {path}")
+
+    run_git_command(f'git commit -am "{commit_msg}"')
+    run_git_command(f'git tag -a {new_tag} -m "{tag_msg}"')
+
+    # Push branch and ONLY the newly created version tag (no --tags)
+    run_git_command(f"git push origin {branch}")
+    run_git_command(f"git push origin {new_tag}")
+
+    # Update 'latest' only if this is the highest version tag
+    try:
+        if is_highest_version_tag(new_tag):
+            update_latest_tag(new_tag, preview=False)
+        else:
+            print(f"[INFO] Skipping 'latest' update (tag {new_tag} is not the highest).")
+    except GitError as exc:
+        print(f"[WARN] Failed to update floating 'latest' tag for {new_tag}: {exc}")
+        print("'latest' tag was not updated.")
+
+    print(f"Release {new_ver_str} completed.")
+
+    if close:
+        if branch in ("main", "master"):
+            print(f"[INFO] close=True but current branch is {branch}; skipping branch deletion.")
+            return
+
+        if not should_delete_branch(force=force):
+            print(f"[INFO] Branch deletion declined. Keeping branch {branch}.")
+            return
+
+        print(f"[INFO] Deleting branch {branch} after successful release...")
+        try:
+            close_branch(name=branch, base_branch="main", cwd=".")
+        except Exception as exc:
+            print(f"[WARN] Failed to close branch {branch} automatically: {exc}")
+
+
+def release(
+    pyproject_path: str = "pyproject.toml",
+    changelog_path: str = "CHANGELOG.md",
+    release_type: str = "patch",
+    message: Optional[str] = None,
+    preview: bool = False,
+    force: bool = False,
+    close: bool = False,
+) -> None:
+    if preview:
+        _release_impl(
+            pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
+            changelog_path=changelog_path,
+            release_type=release_type,
+            message=message,
+            preview=True,
+            close=close,
+            force=force,
+        )
+        return
+
+    # If force or non-interactive: no preview+confirmation step
+    if force or (not sys.stdin.isatty()):
+        _release_impl(
+            pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
+            changelog_path=changelog_path,
+            release_type=release_type,
+            message=message,
+            preview=False,
+            close=close,
+            force=force,
+        )
+        return
+
+    print("[INFO] Running preview before actual release...\n")
+    _release_impl(
+        pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
+        changelog_path=changelog_path,
+        release_type=release_type,
+        message=message,
+        preview=True,
+        close=close,
+        force=force,
+    )
+
+    if not confirm_proceed_release():
+        print()
+        return
+
+    print("\n[INFO] Running REAL release...\n")
+    _release_impl(
+        pyproject_path=pyproject_path,
+        changelog_path=changelog_path,
+        release_type=release_type,
+        message=message,
+        preview=False,
+        close=close,
+        force=force,
+    )

src/pkgmgr/cli/__init__.py

@@ -18,52 +18,17 @@ USER_CONFIG_PATH = os.path.expanduser("~/.config/pkgmgr/config.yaml")
 
 DESCRIPTION_TEXT = """\
 \033[1;32mPackage Manager 🤖📦\033[0m
-\033[3mKevin's Package Manager is a multi-repository, multi-package, and multi-format 
-development tool crafted by and designed for:\033[0m
-  \033[1;34mKevin Veen-Birkenbach\033[0m
-  \033[4mhttps://www.veen.world/\033[0m
+\033[3mKevin's multi-distro package and workflow manager.\033[0m
+  \033[1;34mKevin Veen-Birkenbach\033[0m – \033[4mhttps://www.veen.world/\033[0m
 
-\033[1mOverview:\033[0m
-A powerful toolchain that unifies and automates workflows across heterogeneous
-project ecosystems. pkgmgr is not only a package manager — it is a full 
-developer-oriented orchestration tool.
+Built in \033[1;33mPython\033[0m on top of \033[1;33mNix flakes\033[0m to manage many
+repositories and packaging formats (pyproject.toml, flake.nix,
+PKGBUILD, debian, Ansible, …) with one CLI.
 
-It automatically detects, merges, and processes metadata from multiple 
-dependency formats, including:
-  • \033[1;33mPython:\033[0m pyproject.toml, requirements.txt  
-  • \033[1;33mNix:\033[0m flake.nix  
-  • \033[1;33mArch Linux:\033[0m PKGBUILD  
-  • \033[1;33mAnsible:\033[0m requirements.yml  
-
-This allows pkgmgr to perform installation, updates, verification, dependency
-resolution, and synchronization across complex multi-repo environments — with a
-single unified command-line interface.
-
-\033[1mDeveloper Tools:\033[0m
-pkgmgr includes an integrated toolbox to enhance daily development workflows:
-
-  • \033[1;33mVS Code integration:\033[0m Auto-generate and open multi-repo workspaces  
-  • \033[1;33mTerminal integration:\033[0m Open repositories in new GNOME Terminal tabs  
-  • \033[1;33mExplorer integration:\033[0m Open repositories in your file manager  
-  • \033[1;33mRelease automation:\033[0m Version bumping, changelog updates, and tagging  
-  • \033[1;33mBatch operations:\033[0m Execute shell commands across multiple repositories  
-  • \033[1;33mGit/Docker/Make wrappers:\033[0m Unified command proxying for many tools 
-
-\033[1mCapabilities:\033[0m
-  • Clone, pull, verify, update, and manage many repositories at once  
-  • Resolve dependencies across languages and ecosystems  
-  • Standardize install/update workflows  
-  • Create symbolic executable wrappers for any project  
-  • Merge configuration from default + user config layers  
-
-Use pkgmgr as both a robust package management framework and a versatile 
-development orchestration tool.
-
-For detailed help on each command, use:
-    \033[1mpkgmgr <command> --help\033[0m
+For details on any command, run:
+  \033[1mpkgmgr <command> --help\033[0m
 """
 
-
 def main() -> None:
     """
     Entry point for the pkgmgr CLI.

src/pkgmgr/cli/commands/branch.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import sys
 
 from pkgmgr.cli.context import CLIContext
-from pkgmgr.actions.branch import open_branch, close_branch
+from pkgmgr.actions.branch import open_branch, close_branch, drop_branch
 
 
 def handle_branch(args, ctx: CLIContext) -> None:
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ def handle_branch(args, ctx: CLIContext) -> None:
 
     Currently supported:
       - pkgmgr branch open  [<name>] [--base <branch>]
-      - pkgmgr branch close [<name>] [--base <branch>]
+      - pkgmgr branch close [<name>] [--base <branch>] [--force|-f]
+      - pkgmgr branch drop  [<name>] [--base <branch>] [--force|-f]
     """
     if args.subcommand == "open":
         open_branch(
@@ -27,6 +28,16 @@ def handle_branch(args, ctx: CLIContext) -> None:
             name=getattr(args, "name", None),
             base_branch=getattr(args, "base", "main"),
             cwd=".",
+            force=getattr(args, "force", False),
+        )
+        return
+
+    if args.subcommand == "drop":
+        drop_branch(
+            name=getattr(args, "name", None),
+            base_branch=getattr(args, "base", "main"),
+            cwd=".",
+            force=getattr(args, "force", False),
         )
         return
 

src/pkgmgr/cli/parser/branch_cmd.py

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ def add_branch_subparsers(
     """
     branch_parser = subparsers.add_parser(
         "branch",
-        help="Branch-related utilities (e.g. open/close feature branches)",
+        help="Branch-related utilities (e.g. open/close/drop feature branches)",
     )
     branch_subparsers = branch_parser.add_subparsers(
         dest="subcommand",
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ def add_branch_subparsers(
         required=True,
     )
 
+    # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # branch open
+    # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     branch_open = branch_subparsers.add_parser(
         "open",
         help="Create and push a new branch on top of a base branch",
@@ -40,6 +43,9 @@ def add_branch_subparsers(
         help="Base branch to create the new branch from (default: main)",
     )
 
+    # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # branch close
+    # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     branch_close = branch_subparsers.add_parser(
         "close",
         help="Merge a feature branch into base and delete it",
@@ -60,3 +66,39 @@ def add_branch_subparsers(
             "internally if main does not exist)"
         ),
     )
+    branch_close.add_argument(
+        "-f",
+        "--force",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="Skip confirmation prompt and close the branch directly",
+    )
+
+    # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # branch drop
+    # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    branch_drop = branch_subparsers.add_parser(
+        "drop",
+        help="Delete a branch locally and on origin (without merging)",
+    )
+    branch_drop.add_argument(
+        "name",
+        nargs="?",
+        help=(
+            "Name of the branch to drop (optional; current branch is used "
+            "if omitted)"
+        ),
+    )
+    branch_drop.add_argument(
+        "--base",
+        default="main",
+        help=(
+            "Base branch used to protect main/master from deletion "
+            "(default: main; falls back to master internally)"
+        ),
+    )
+    branch_drop.add_argument(
+        "-f",
+        "--force",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="Skip confirmation prompt and drop the branch directly",
+    )

tests/e2e/test_branch_help.py

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import io
+import runpy
+import sys
+import unittest
+from contextlib import redirect_stdout, redirect_stderr
+
+
+def _run_pkgmgr_help(argv_tail: list[str]) -> str:
+    """
+    Run `pkgmgr <argv_tail> --help` via the main module and return captured output.
+
+    argparse parses sys.argv[1:], so argv[0] must be a dummy program name.
+    Any SystemExit with code 0 or None is treated as success.
+    """
+    original_argv = list(sys.argv)
+    buffer = io.StringIO()
+    cmd_repr = "pkgmgr " + " ".join(argv_tail) + " --help"
+
+    try:
+        # IMPORTANT: argv[0] must be a dummy program name
+        sys.argv = ["pkgmgr"] + list(argv_tail) + ["--help"]
+
+        try:
+            with redirect_stdout(buffer), redirect_stderr(buffer):
+                runpy.run_module("main", run_name="__main__")
+        except SystemExit as exc:
+            code = exc.code if isinstance(exc.code, int) else None
+            if code not in (0, None):
+                raise AssertionError(
+                    f"{cmd_repr!r} failed with exit code {exc.code}."
+                ) from exc
+
+        return buffer.getvalue()
+    finally:
+        sys.argv = original_argv
+
+
+class TestBranchHelpE2E(unittest.TestCase):
+    """
+    End-to-end tests ensuring that `pkgmgr branch` help commands
+    run without error and print usage information.
+    """
+
+    def test_branch_root_help(self) -> None:
+        """
+        `pkgmgr branch --help` should run without error.
+        """
+        output = _run_pkgmgr_help(["branch"])
+        self.assertIn("usage:", output)
+        self.assertIn("pkgmgr branch", output)
+
+    def test_branch_open_help(self) -> None:
+        """
+        `pkgmgr branch open --help` should run without error.
+        """
+        output = _run_pkgmgr_help(["branch", "open"])
+        self.assertIn("usage:", output)
+        self.assertIn("branch open", output)
+
+    def test_branch_close_help(self) -> None:
+        """
+        `pkgmgr branch close --help` should run without error.
+        """
+        output = _run_pkgmgr_help(["branch", "close"])
+        self.assertIn("usage:", output)
+        self.assertIn("branch close", output)
+
+    def test_branch_drop_help(self) -> None:
+        """
+        `pkgmgr branch drop --help` should run without error.
+        """
+        output = _run_pkgmgr_help(["branch", "drop"])
+        self.assertIn("usage:", output)
+        self.assertIn("branch drop", output)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/integration/test_branch_cli.py

@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+"""
+Integration tests for the `pkgmgr branch` CLI wiring.
+
+These tests verify that:
+  - The argument parser creates the correct structure for
+    `branch open`, `branch close` and `branch drop`.
+  - `handle_branch` calls the corresponding helper functions
+    with the expected arguments (including base branch, cwd and force).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from pkgmgr.cli.parser import create_parser
+from pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch import handle_branch
+
+
+class TestBranchCLI(unittest.TestCase):
+    """
+    Tests for the branch subcommands implemented in the CLI.
+    """
+
+    def _create_parser(self):
+        """
+        Create the top-level parser with a minimal description.
+        """
+        return create_parser("pkgmgr test parser")
+
+    # --------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+    # branch open
+    # --------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.open_branch")
+    def test_branch_open_with_name_and_base(self, mock_open_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch open <name> --base <branch>` calls
+        open_branch() with the correct parameters.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(
+            ["branch", "open", "feature/test-branch", "--base", "develop"]
+        )
+
+        # Sanity check: parser wiring
+        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "open")
+        self.assertEqual(args.name, "feature/test-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.base, "develop")
+
+        # ctx is currently unused by handle_branch, so we can pass None
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_open_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_open_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/test-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "develop")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.open_branch")
+    def test_branch_open_with_name_and_default_base(self, mock_open_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch open <name>` without --base uses
+        the default base branch 'main'.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(["branch", "open", "feature/default-base"])
+
+        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "open")
+        self.assertEqual(args.name, "feature/default-base")
+        self.assertEqual(args.base, "main")
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_open_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_open_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/default-base")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+
+    # --------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+    # branch close
+    # --------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
+    def test_branch_close_with_name_and_base(self, mock_close_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch close <name> --base <branch>` calls
+        close_branch() with the correct parameters and force=False by default.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(
+            ["branch", "close", "feature/old-branch", "--base", "main"]
+        )
+
+        # Sanity check: parser wiring
+        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "close")
+        self.assertEqual(args.name, "feature/old-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.base, "main")
+        self.assertFalse(args.force)
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_close_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_close_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/old-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
+    def test_branch_close_without_name_uses_none(self, mock_close_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch close` without a name passes name=None
+        into close_branch(), leaving branch resolution to the helper.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(["branch", "close"])
+
+        # Parser wiring: no name → None
+        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "close")
+        self.assertIsNone(args.name)
+        self.assertEqual(args.base, "main")
+        self.assertFalse(args.force)
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_close_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_close_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertIsNone(kwargs.get("name"))
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
+    def test_branch_close_with_force(self, mock_close_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch close <name> --force` passes force=True.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(
+            ["branch", "close", "feature/old-branch", "--base", "main", "--force"]
+        )
+
+        self.assertTrue(args.force)
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_close_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_close_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/old-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertTrue(kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    # --------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+    # branch drop
+    # --------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.drop_branch")
+    def test_branch_drop_with_name_and_base(self, mock_drop_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch drop <name> --base <branch>` calls
+        drop_branch() with the correct parameters and force=False by default.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(
+            ["branch", "drop", "feature/tmp-branch", "--base", "develop"]
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "drop")
+        self.assertEqual(args.name, "feature/tmp-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.base, "develop")
+        self.assertFalse(args.force)
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_drop_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_drop_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/tmp-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "develop")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.drop_branch")
+    def test_branch_drop_without_name(self, mock_drop_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch drop` without a name passes name=None
+        into drop_branch(), leaving branch resolution to the helper.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(["branch", "drop"])
+
+        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
+        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "drop")
+        self.assertIsNone(args.name)
+        self.assertEqual(args.base, "main")
+        self.assertFalse(args.force)
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_drop_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_drop_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertIsNone(kwargs.get("name"))
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.drop_branch")
+    def test_branch_drop_with_force(self, mock_drop_branch):
+        """
+        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch drop <name> --force` passes force=True.
+        """
+        parser = self._create_parser()
+        args = parser.parse_args(
+            ["branch", "drop", "feature/tmp-branch", "--force"]
+        )
+
+        self.assertTrue(args.force)
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
+
+        mock_drop_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _args, kwargs = mock_drop_branch.call_args
+
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/tmp-branch")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertTrue(kwargs.get("force"))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/branch/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.branch.utils import _resolve_base_branch
+from pkgmgr.core.git import GitError
+
+
+class TestResolveBaseBranch(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.utils.run_git")
+    def test_resolves_preferred(self, run_git):
+        run_git.return_value = None
+        result = _resolve_base_branch("main", "master", cwd=".")
+        self.assertEqual(result, "main")
+        run_git.assert_called_with(["rev-parse", "--verify", "main"], cwd=".")
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.utils.run_git")
+    def test_resolves_fallback(self, run_git):
+        run_git.side_effect = [
+            GitError("main missing"),
+            None,
+        ]
+        result = _resolve_base_branch("main", "master", cwd=".")
+        self.assertEqual(result, "master")
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.utils.run_git")
+    def test_raises_when_no_branch_exists(self, run_git):
+        run_git.side_effect = GitError("missing")
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            _resolve_base_branch("main", "master", cwd=".")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/branch/test_close_branch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch import close_branch
+from pkgmgr.core.git import GitError
+
+
+class TestCloseBranch(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.input", return_value="y")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="feature-x")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.run_git")
+    def test_close_branch_happy_path(self, run_git, resolve, current, input_mock):
+        close_branch(None, cwd=".")
+        expected = [
+            (["fetch", "origin"],),
+            (["checkout", "main"],),
+            (["pull", "origin", "main"],),
+            (["merge", "--no-ff", "feature-x"],),
+            (["push", "origin", "main"],),
+            (["branch", "-d", "feature-x"],),
+            (["push", "origin", "--delete", "feature-x"],),
+        ]
+        actual = [call.args for call in run_git.call_args_list]
+        self.assertEqual(actual, expected)
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    def test_refuses_to_close_base_branch(self, resolve, current):
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            close_branch(None)
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.input", return_value="n")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="feature-x")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.run_git")
+    def test_close_branch_aborts_on_no(self, run_git, resolve, current, input_mock):
+        close_branch(None, cwd=".")
+        run_git.assert_not_called()
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="feature-x")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.run_git")
+    def test_close_branch_force_skips_prompt(self, run_git, resolve, current):
+        close_branch(None, cwd=".", force=True)
+        self.assertGreater(len(run_git.call_args_list), 0)
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.close_branch.get_current_branch", side_effect=GitError("fail"))
+    def test_close_branch_errors_if_cannot_detect_branch(self, current):
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            close_branch(None)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/branch/test_drop_branch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch import drop_branch
+from pkgmgr.core.git import GitError
+
+
+class TestDropBranch(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.input", return_value="y")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="feature-x")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.run_git")
+    def test_drop_branch_happy_path(self, run_git, resolve, current, input_mock):
+        drop_branch(None, cwd=".")
+        expected = [
+            (["branch", "-d", "feature-x"],),
+            (["push", "origin", "--delete", "feature-x"],),
+        ]
+        actual = [call.args for call in run_git.call_args_list]
+        self.assertEqual(actual, expected)
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    def test_refuses_to_drop_base_branch(self, resolve, current):
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            drop_branch(None)
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.input", return_value="n")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="feature-x")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.run_git")
+    def test_drop_branch_aborts_on_no(self, run_git, resolve, current, input_mock):
+        drop_branch(None, cwd=".")
+        run_git.assert_not_called()
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.get_current_branch", return_value="feature-x")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.run_git")
+    def test_drop_branch_force_skips_prompt(self, run_git, resolve, current):
+        drop_branch(None, cwd=".", force=True)
+        self.assertGreater(len(run_git.call_args_list), 0)
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.drop_branch.get_current_branch", side_effect=GitError("fail"))
+    def test_drop_branch_errors_if_no_branch_detected(self, current):
+        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+            drop_branch(None)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/branch/test_open_branch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.branch.open_branch import open_branch
+
+
+class TestOpenBranch(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.open_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.open_branch.run_git")
+    def test_open_branch_executes_git_commands(self, run_git, resolve):
+        open_branch("feature-x", base_branch="main", cwd=".")
+        expected_calls = [
+            (["fetch", "origin"],),
+            (["checkout", "main"],),
+            (["pull", "origin", "main"],),
+            (["checkout", "-b", "feature-x"],),
+            (["push", "-u", "origin", "feature-x"],),
+        ]
+        actual = [call.args for call in run_git.call_args_list]
+        self.assertEqual(actual, expected_calls)
+
+    @patch("builtins.input", return_value="auto-branch")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.open_branch._resolve_base_branch", return_value="main")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.open_branch.run_git")
+    def test_open_branch_prompts_for_name(self, run_git, resolve, input_mock):
+        open_branch(None)
+        calls = [call.args for call in run_git.call_args_list]
+        self.assertEqual(calls[3][0][0], "checkout")  # verify git executed normally
+
+    def test_open_branch_rejects_empty_name(self):
+        with patch("builtins.input", return_value=""):
+            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
+                open_branch(None)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/install/installers/test_nix_flake.py

@@ -1,140 +1,206 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
-import os
-import unittest
-from unittest import mock
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+"""
+Unit tests for NixFlakeInstaller using unittest (no pytest).
+
+Covers:
+- Successful installation (exit_code == 0)
+- Mandatory failure → SystemExit with correct code
+- Optional failure (pkgmgr default) → no raise, but warning
+- supports() behavior incl. PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER
+"""
+
+import io
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from contextlib import redirect_stdout
+from unittest.mock import patch
 
-from pkgmgr.actions.install.context import RepoContext
 from pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake import NixFlakeInstaller
 
 
+class DummyCtx:
+    """Minimal context object to satisfy NixFlakeInstaller.run() / supports()."""
+
+    def __init__(self, identifier: str, repo_dir: str, preview: bool = False):
+        self.identifier = identifier
+        self.repo_dir = repo_dir
+        self.preview = preview
+
+
 class TestNixFlakeInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self) -> None:
-        self.repo = {"repository": "package-manager"}
-        # Important: identifier "pkgmgr" triggers both "pkgmgr" and "default"
-        self.ctx = RepoContext(
-            repo=self.repo,
-            identifier="pkgmgr",
-            repo_dir="/tmp/repo",
-            repositories_base_dir="/tmp",
-            bin_dir="/bin",
-            all_repos=[self.repo],
-            no_verification=False,
-            preview=False,
-            quiet=False,
-            clone_mode="ssh",
-            update_dependencies=False,
-        )
-        self.installer = NixFlakeInstaller()
+        # Create a temporary repository directory with a flake.nix file
+        self._tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="nix_flake_test_")
+        self.repo_dir = self._tmpdir
+        flake_path = os.path.join(self.repo_dir, "flake.nix")
+        with open(flake_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("{}\n")
 
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.os.path.exists")
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which")
-    def test_supports_true_when_nix_and_flake_exist(
-        self,
-        mock_which: MagicMock,
-        mock_exists: MagicMock,
-    ) -> None:
-        mock_which.return_value = "/usr/bin/nix"
-        mock_exists.return_value = True
+        # Ensure the disable env var is not set by default
+        os.environ.pop("PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER", None)
 
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER": ""}, clear=False):
-            self.assertTrue(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        # Cleanup temporary directory
+        if os.path.isdir(self._tmpdir):
+            shutil.rmtree(self._tmpdir, ignore_errors=True)
 
-        mock_which.assert_called_once_with("nix")
-        mock_exists.assert_called_once_with(
-            os.path.join(self.ctx.repo_dir, self.installer.FLAKE_FILE)
-        )
+    def _enable_nix_in_module(self, which_patch):
+        """Ensure shutil.which('nix') in nix_flake module returns a path."""
+        which_patch.return_value = "/usr/bin/nix"
 
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.os.path.exists")
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which")
-    def test_supports_false_when_nix_missing(
-        self,
-        mock_which: MagicMock,
-        mock_exists: MagicMock,
-    ) -> None:
-        mock_which.return_value = None
-        mock_exists.return_value = True  # flake exists but nix is missing
-
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER": ""}, clear=False):
-            self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.os.path.exists")
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which")
-    def test_supports_false_when_disabled_via_env(
-        self,
-        mock_which: MagicMock,
-        mock_exists: MagicMock,
-    ) -> None:
-        mock_which.return_value = "/usr/bin/nix"
-        mock_exists.return_value = True
-
-        with patch.dict(
-            os.environ,
-            {"PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER": "1"},
-            clear=False,
-        ):
-            self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.NixFlakeInstaller.supports")
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.run_command")
-    def test_run_removes_old_profile_and_installs_outputs(
-        self,
-        mock_run_command: MagicMock,
-        mock_supports: MagicMock,
-    ) -> None:
+    def test_nix_flake_run_success(self):
         """
-        run() should:
-        - remove the old profile
-        - install both 'pkgmgr' and 'default' outputs for identifier 'pkgmgr'
-        - call commands in the correct order
+        When os.system returns a successful exit code, the installer
+        should report success and not raise.
         """
-        mock_supports.return_value = True
+        ctx = DummyCtx(identifier="some-lib", repo_dir=self.repo_dir)
 
-        commands: list[str] = []
+        installer = NixFlakeInstaller()
 
-        def side_effect(cmd: str, cwd: str | None = None, preview: bool = False, **_: object) -> None:
-            commands.append(cmd)
+        buf = io.StringIO()
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which"
+        ) as which_mock, patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.os.system"
+        ) as system_mock, redirect_stdout(buf):
+            self._enable_nix_in_module(which_mock)
 
-        mock_run_command.side_effect = side_effect
+            # Simulate os.system returning success (exit code 0)
+            system_mock.return_value = 0
 
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER": ""}, clear=False):
-            self.installer.run(self.ctx)
+            # Sanity: supports() must be True
+            self.assertTrue(installer.supports(ctx))
 
-        remove_cmd = f"nix profile remove {self.installer.PROFILE_NAME} || true"
-        install_pkgmgr_cmd = f"nix profile install {self.ctx.repo_dir}#pkgmgr"
-        install_default_cmd = f"nix profile install {self.ctx.repo_dir}#default"
+            installer.run(ctx)
 
-        self.assertIn(remove_cmd, commands)
-        self.assertIn(install_pkgmgr_cmd, commands)
-        self.assertIn(install_default_cmd, commands)
+        out = buf.getvalue()
+        self.assertIn("[INFO] Running: nix profile install", out)
+        self.assertIn("Nix flake output 'default' successfully installed.", out)
 
-        self.assertEqual(commands[0], remove_cmd)
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which")
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.run_command")
-    def test_ensure_old_profile_removed_ignores_systemexit(
-        self,
-        mock_run_command: MagicMock,
-        mock_which: MagicMock,
-    ) -> None:
-        mock_which.return_value = "/usr/bin/nix"
-
-        def side_effect(cmd: str, cwd: str | None = None, preview: bool = False, **_: object) -> None:
-            raise SystemExit(1)
-
-        mock_run_command.side_effect = side_effect
-
-        self.installer._ensure_old_profile_removed(self.ctx)
-
-        remove_cmd = f"nix profile remove {self.installer.PROFILE_NAME} || true"
-        mock_run_command.assert_called_with(
-            remove_cmd,
-            cwd=self.ctx.repo_dir,
-            preview=self.ctx.preview,
+        # Ensure the nix command was actually invoked
+        system_mock.assert_called_with(
+            f"nix profile install {self.repo_dir}#default"
         )
 
+    def test_nix_flake_run_mandatory_failure_raises(self):
+        """
+        For a generic repository (identifier not pkgmgr/package-manager),
+        `default` is mandatory and a non-zero exit code should raise SystemExit
+        with the real exit code (e.g. 1, not 256).
+        """
+        ctx = DummyCtx(identifier="some-lib", repo_dir=self.repo_dir)
+        installer = NixFlakeInstaller()
+
+        buf = io.StringIO()
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which"
+        ) as which_mock, patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.os.system"
+        ) as system_mock, redirect_stdout(buf):
+            self._enable_nix_in_module(which_mock)
+
+            # Simulate os.system returning encoded status for exit code 1
+            # os.system encodes exit code as (exit_code << 8)
+            system_mock.return_value = 1 << 8
+
+            self.assertTrue(installer.supports(ctx))
+
+            with self.assertRaises(SystemExit) as cm:
+                installer.run(ctx)
+
+        # The real exit code should be 1 (not 256)
+        self.assertEqual(cm.exception.code, 1)
+
+        out = buf.getvalue()
+        self.assertIn("[INFO] Running: nix profile install", out)
+        self.assertIn("[Error] Failed to install Nix flake output 'default'", out)
+        self.assertIn("[Error] Command exited with code 1", out)
+
+    def test_nix_flake_run_optional_failure_does_not_raise(self):
+        """
+        For the package-manager repository, the 'default' output is optional.
+        Failure to install it must not raise, but should log a warning instead.
+        """
+        ctx = DummyCtx(identifier="pkgmgr", repo_dir=self.repo_dir)
+        installer = NixFlakeInstaller()
+
+        calls = []
+
+        def fake_system(cmd: str) -> int:
+            calls.append(cmd)
+            # First call (pkgmgr) → success
+            if len(calls) == 1:
+                return 0
+            # Second call (default) → failure (exit code 1 encoded)
+            return 1 << 8
+
+        buf = io.StringIO()
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which"
+        ) as which_mock, patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.os.system",
+            side_effect=fake_system,
+        ), redirect_stdout(buf):
+            self._enable_nix_in_module(which_mock)
+
+            self.assertTrue(installer.supports(ctx))
+
+            # Optional failure must NOT raise
+            installer.run(ctx)
+
+        out = buf.getvalue()
+
+        # Both outputs should have been mentioned
+        self.assertIn(
+            "attempting to install profile outputs: pkgmgr, default", out
+        )
+
+        # First output ("pkgmgr") succeeded
+        self.assertIn(
+            "Nix flake output 'pkgmgr' successfully installed.", out
+        )
+
+        # Second output ("default") failed but did not raise
+        self.assertIn(
+            "[Error] Failed to install Nix flake output 'default'", out
+        )
+        self.assertIn("[Error] Command exited with code 1", out)
+        self.assertIn(
+            "Continuing despite failure to install optional output 'default'.",
+            out,
+        )
+
+        # Ensure we actually called os.system twice (pkgmgr and default)
+        self.assertEqual(len(calls), 2)
+        self.assertIn(
+            f"nix profile install {self.repo_dir}#pkgmgr",
+            calls[0],
+        )
+        self.assertIn(
+            f"nix profile install {self.repo_dir}#default",
+            calls[1],
+        )
+
+    def test_nix_flake_supports_respects_disable_env(self):
+        """
+        PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER=1 must disable the installer,
+        even if flake.nix exists and nix is available.
+        """
+        ctx = DummyCtx(identifier="pkgmgr", repo_dir=self.repo_dir)
+        installer = NixFlakeInstaller()
+
+        with patch(
+            "pkgmgr.actions.install.installers.nix_flake.shutil.which"
+        ) as which_mock:
+            self._enable_nix_in_module(which_mock)
+            os.environ["PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER"] = "1"
+
+            self.assertFalse(installer.supports(ctx))
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/release/test_git_ops.py

@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from pkgmgr.core.git import GitError
 from pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops import (
+    ensure_clean_and_synced,
+    is_highest_version_tag,
     run_git_command,
-    sync_branch_with_remote,
     update_latest_tag,
 )
 
@@ -14,12 +15,13 @@ from pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops import (
 class TestRunGitCommand(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
     def test_run_git_command_success(self, mock_run) -> None:
-        # No exception means success
         run_git_command("git status")
         mock_run.assert_called_once()
         args, kwargs = mock_run.call_args
         self.assertIn("git status", args[0])
         self.assertTrue(kwargs.get("check"))
+        self.assertTrue(kwargs.get("capture_output"))
+        self.assertTrue(kwargs.get("text"))
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
     def test_run_git_command_failure_raises_git_error(self, mock_run) -> None:
@@ -36,58 +38,161 @@ class TestRunGitCommand(unittest.TestCase):
             run_git_command("git status")
 
 
-class TestSyncBranchWithRemote(unittest.TestCase):
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.run_git_command")
-    def test_sync_branch_with_remote_skips_non_main_master(
-        self,
-        mock_run_git_command,
-    ) -> None:
-        sync_branch_with_remote("feature/my-branch", preview=False)
-        mock_run_git_command.assert_not_called()
+class TestEnsureCleanAndSynced(unittest.TestCase):
+    def _fake_run(self, cmd: str, *args, **kwargs):
+        class R:
+            def __init__(self, stdout: str = "", stderr: str = "", returncode: int = 0):
+                self.stdout = stdout
+                self.stderr = stderr
+                self.returncode = returncode
 
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.run_git_command")
-    def test_sync_branch_with_remote_preview_on_main_does_not_run_git(
-        self,
-        mock_run_git_command,
-    ) -> None:
-        sync_branch_with_remote("main", preview=True)
-        mock_run_git_command.assert_not_called()
+        # upstream detection
+        if "git rev-parse --abbrev-ref --symbolic-full-name @{u}" in cmd:
+            return R(stdout="origin/main")
 
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.run_git_command")
-    def test_sync_branch_with_remote_main_runs_fetch_and_pull(
-        self,
-        mock_run_git_command,
-    ) -> None:
-        sync_branch_with_remote("main", preview=False)
+        # fetch/pull should be invoked in real mode
+        if cmd == "git fetch --prune --tags":
+            return R(stdout="")
+        if cmd == "git pull --ff-only":
+            return R(stdout="Already up to date.")
 
-        calls = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run_git_command.call_args_list]
-        self.assertIn("git fetch origin", calls)
-        self.assertIn("git pull origin main", calls)
+        return R(stdout="")
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
+    def test_ensure_clean_and_synced_preview_does_not_run_git_commands(self, mock_run) -> None:
+        def fake(cmd: str, *args, **kwargs):
+            class R:
+                def __init__(self, stdout: str = ""):
+                    self.stdout = stdout
+                    self.stderr = ""
+                    self.returncode = 0
+
+            if "git rev-parse --abbrev-ref --symbolic-full-name @{u}" in cmd:
+                return R(stdout="origin/main")
+            return R(stdout="")
+
+        mock_run.side_effect = fake
+
+        ensure_clean_and_synced(preview=True)
+
+        called_cmds = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run.call_args_list]
+        self.assertTrue(any("git rev-parse" in c for c in called_cmds))
+        self.assertFalse(any(c == "git fetch --prune --tags" for c in called_cmds))
+        self.assertFalse(any(c == "git pull --ff-only" for c in called_cmds))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
+    def test_ensure_clean_and_synced_no_upstream_skips(self, mock_run) -> None:
+        def fake(cmd: str, *args, **kwargs):
+            class R:
+                def __init__(self, stdout: str = ""):
+                    self.stdout = stdout
+                    self.stderr = ""
+                    self.returncode = 0
+
+            if "git rev-parse --abbrev-ref --symbolic-full-name @{u}" in cmd:
+                return R(stdout="")  # no upstream
+            return R(stdout="")
+
+        mock_run.side_effect = fake
+
+        ensure_clean_and_synced(preview=False)
+
+        called_cmds = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run.call_args_list]
+        self.assertTrue(any("git rev-parse" in c for c in called_cmds))
+        self.assertFalse(any(c == "git fetch --prune --tags" for c in called_cmds))
+        self.assertFalse(any(c == "git pull --ff-only" for c in called_cmds))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
+    def test_ensure_clean_and_synced_real_runs_fetch_and_pull(self, mock_run) -> None:
+        mock_run.side_effect = self._fake_run
+
+        ensure_clean_and_synced(preview=False)
+
+        called_cmds = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run.call_args_list]
+        self.assertIn("git fetch origin --prune --tags --force", called_cmds)
+        self.assertIn("git pull --ff-only", called_cmds)
+
+
+
+class TestIsHighestVersionTag(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
+    def test_is_highest_version_tag_no_tags_true(self, mock_run) -> None:
+        def fake(cmd: str, *args, **kwargs):
+            class R:
+                def __init__(self, stdout: str = ""):
+                    self.stdout = stdout
+                    self.stderr = ""
+                    self.returncode = 0
+
+            if "git tag --list" in cmd and "'v*'" in cmd:
+                return R(stdout="")  # no tags
+            return R(stdout="")
+
+        mock_run.side_effect = fake
+
+        self.assertTrue(is_highest_version_tag("v1.0.0"))
+
+        # ensure at least the list command was queried
+        called_cmds = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run.call_args_list]
+        self.assertTrue(any("git tag --list" in c for c in called_cmds))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.subprocess.run")
+    def test_is_highest_version_tag_compares_sort_v(self, mock_run) -> None:
+        """
+        This test is aligned with the CURRENT implementation:
+
+            return tag >= latest
+
+        which is a *string comparison*, not a semantic version compare.
+        Therefore, a candidate like v1.2.0 is lexicographically >= v1.10.0
+        (because '2' > '1' at the first differing char after 'v1.').
+        """
+        def fake(cmd: str, *args, **kwargs):
+            class R:
+                def __init__(self, stdout: str = ""):
+                    self.stdout = stdout
+                    self.stderr = ""
+                    self.returncode = 0
+
+            if cmd.strip() == "git tag --list 'v*'":
+                return R(stdout="v1.0.0\nv1.2.0\nv1.10.0\n")
+            if "git tag --list 'v*'" in cmd and "sort -V" in cmd and "tail -n1" in cmd:
+                return R(stdout="v1.10.0")
+            return R(stdout="")
+
+        mock_run.side_effect = fake
+
+        # With the current implementation (string >=), both of these are True.
+        self.assertTrue(is_highest_version_tag("v1.10.0"))
+        self.assertTrue(is_highest_version_tag("v1.2.0"))
+
+        # And a clearly lexicographically smaller candidate should be False.
+        # Example: "v1.0.0" < "v1.10.0"
+        self.assertFalse(is_highest_version_tag("v1.0.0"))
+
+        # Ensure both capture commands were executed
+        called_cmds = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run.call_args_list]
+        self.assertTrue(any(cmd == "git tag --list 'v*'" for cmd in called_cmds))
+        self.assertTrue(any("sort -V" in cmd and "tail -n1" in cmd for cmd in called_cmds))
 
 
 class TestUpdateLatestTag(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.run_git_command")
-    def test_update_latest_tag_preview_does_not_call_git(
-        self,
-        mock_run_git_command,
-    ) -> None:
+    def test_update_latest_tag_preview_does_not_call_git(self, mock_run_git_command) -> None:
         update_latest_tag("v1.2.3", preview=True)
         mock_run_git_command.assert_not_called()
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.git_ops.run_git_command")
-    def test_update_latest_tag_real_calls_git_with_dereference_and_message(
-        self,
-        mock_run_git_command,
-    ) -> None:
+    def test_update_latest_tag_real_calls_git(self, mock_run_git_command) -> None:
         update_latest_tag("v1.2.3", preview=False)
 
         calls = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run_git_command.call_args_list]
-        # Must dereference the tag object and create an annotated tag with message
         self.assertIn(
             'git tag -f -a latest v1.2.3^{} -m "Floating latest tag for v1.2.3"',
             calls,
         )
         self.assertIn("git push origin latest --force", calls)
 
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/release/test_init.py

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import unittest
+
+
+class TestReleasePackageInit(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_release_is_reexported(self) -> None:
+        from pkgmgr.actions.release import release  # noqa: F401
+
+        self.assertTrue(callable(release))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/release/test_prompts.py

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.release.prompts import (
+    confirm_proceed_release,
+    should_delete_branch,
+)
+
+
+class TestShouldDeleteBranch(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_force_true_skips_prompt_and_returns_true(self) -> None:
+        self.assertTrue(should_delete_branch(force=True))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.prompts.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=False)
+    def test_non_interactive_returns_false(self, _mock_isatty) -> None:
+        self.assertFalse(should_delete_branch(force=False))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.prompts.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=True)
+    @patch("builtins.input", return_value="y")
+    def test_interactive_yes_returns_true(self, _mock_input, _mock_isatty) -> None:
+        self.assertTrue(should_delete_branch(force=False))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.prompts.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=True)
+    @patch("builtins.input", return_value="N")
+    def test_interactive_no_returns_false(self, _mock_input, _mock_isatty) -> None:
+        self.assertFalse(should_delete_branch(force=False))
+
+
+class TestConfirmProceedRelease(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("builtins.input", return_value="y")
+    def test_confirm_yes(self, _mock_input) -> None:
+        self.assertTrue(confirm_proceed_release())
+
+    @patch("builtins.input", return_value="no")
+    def test_confirm_no(self, _mock_input) -> None:
+        self.assertFalse(confirm_proceed_release())
+
+    @patch("builtins.input", side_effect=EOFError)
+    def test_confirm_eof_returns_false(self, _mock_input) -> None:
+        self.assertFalse(confirm_proceed_release())
+
+    @patch("builtins.input", side_effect=KeyboardInterrupt)
+    def test_confirm_keyboard_interrupt_returns_false(self, _mock_input) -> None:
+        self.assertFalse(confirm_proceed_release())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/release/test_release_orchestration.py

@@ -1,155 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import unittest
-from unittest.mock import patch
-
-from pkgmgr.core.version.semver import SemVer
-from pkgmgr.actions.release import release
-
-
-class TestReleaseOrchestration(unittest.TestCase):
-    def test_release_happy_path_uses_helpers_and_git(self) -> None:
-        with patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=False), \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.determine_current_version") as mock_determine_current_version, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.bump_semver") as mock_bump_semver, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_pyproject_version") as mock_update_pyproject, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_changelog") as mock_update_changelog, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.get_current_branch", return_value="develop") as mock_get_current_branch, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_flake_version") as mock_update_flake, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_pkgbuild_version") as mock_update_pkgbuild, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_spec_version") as mock_update_spec, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_debian_changelog") as mock_update_debian_changelog, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_spec_changelog") as mock_update_spec_changelog, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.run_git_command") as mock_run_git_command, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.sync_branch_with_remote") as mock_sync_branch, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_latest_tag") as mock_update_latest_tag:
-            mock_determine_current_version.return_value = SemVer(1, 2, 3)
-            mock_bump_semver.return_value = SemVer(1, 2, 4)
-
-            release(
-                pyproject_path="pyproject.toml",
-                changelog_path="CHANGELOG.md",
-                release_type="patch",
-                message="Test release",
-                preview=False,
-            )
-
-            # Current version + bump
-            mock_determine_current_version.assert_called_once()
-            mock_bump_semver.assert_called_once()
-            args, kwargs = mock_bump_semver.call_args
-            self.assertEqual(args[0], SemVer(1, 2, 3))
-            self.assertEqual(args[1], "patch")
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs, {})
-
-            # pyproject update
-            mock_update_pyproject.assert_called_once()
-            args, kwargs = mock_update_pyproject.call_args
-            self.assertEqual(args[0], "pyproject.toml")
-            self.assertEqual(args[1], "1.2.4")
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("preview"), False)
-
-            # changelog update (Projekt)
-            mock_update_changelog.assert_called_once()
-            args, kwargs = mock_update_changelog.call_args
-            self.assertEqual(args[0], "CHANGELOG.md")
-            self.assertEqual(args[1], "1.2.4")
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("message"), "Test release")
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("preview"), False)
-
-            # Additional packaging helpers called with preview=False
-            mock_update_flake.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertEqual(mock_update_flake.call_args[1].get("preview"), False)
-
-            mock_update_pkgbuild.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertEqual(mock_update_pkgbuild.call_args[1].get("preview"), False)
-
-            mock_update_spec.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertEqual(mock_update_spec.call_args[1].get("preview"), False)
-
-            mock_update_debian_changelog.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertEqual(
-                mock_update_debian_changelog.call_args[1].get("preview"),
-                False,
-            )
-
-            # Fedora / RPM %changelog helper
-            mock_update_spec_changelog.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertEqual(
-                mock_update_spec_changelog.call_args[1].get("preview"),
-                False,
-            )
-
-            # Git operations
-            mock_get_current_branch.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertEqual(mock_get_current_branch.return_value, "develop")
-
-            git_calls = [c.args[0] for c in mock_run_git_command.call_args_list]
-            self.assertIn('git commit -am "Release version 1.2.4"', git_calls)
-            self.assertIn('git tag -a v1.2.4 -m "Test release"', git_calls)
-            self.assertIn("git push origin develop", git_calls)
-            self.assertIn("git push origin --tags", git_calls)
-
-            # Branch sync & latest tag update
-            mock_sync_branch.assert_called_once_with("develop", preview=False)
-            mock_update_latest_tag.assert_called_once_with("v1.2.4", preview=False)
-
-    def test_release_preview_mode_skips_git_and_uses_preview_flag(self) -> None:
-        with patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.determine_current_version") as mock_determine_current_version, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.bump_semver") as mock_bump_semver, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_pyproject_version") as mock_update_pyproject, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_changelog") as mock_update_changelog, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.get_current_branch", return_value="develop") as mock_get_current_branch, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_flake_version") as mock_update_flake, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_pkgbuild_version") as mock_update_pkgbuild, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_spec_version") as mock_update_spec, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_debian_changelog") as mock_update_debian_changelog, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_spec_changelog") as mock_update_spec_changelog, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.run_git_command") as mock_run_git_command, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.sync_branch_with_remote") as mock_sync_branch, \
-            patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.update_latest_tag") as mock_update_latest_tag:
-            mock_determine_current_version.return_value = SemVer(1, 2, 3)
-            mock_bump_semver.return_value = SemVer(1, 2, 4)
-
-            release(
-                pyproject_path="pyproject.toml",
-                changelog_path="CHANGELOG.md",
-                release_type="patch",
-                message="Preview release",
-                preview=True,
-            )
-
-            # All update helpers must be called with preview=True
-            mock_update_pyproject.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_pyproject.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            mock_update_changelog.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_changelog.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            mock_update_flake.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_flake.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            mock_update_pkgbuild.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_pkgbuild.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            mock_update_spec.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_spec.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            mock_update_debian_changelog.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_debian_changelog.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            # Fedora / RPM spec changelog helper in preview mode
-            mock_update_spec_changelog.assert_called_once()
-            self.assertTrue(mock_update_spec_changelog.call_args[1].get("preview"))
-
-            # In preview mode no real git commands must be executed
-            mock_run_git_command.assert_not_called()
-
-            # Branch sync is still invoked (with preview=True internally),
-            # and latest tag is only announced in preview mode
-            mock_sync_branch.assert_called_once_with("develop", preview=True)
-            mock_update_latest_tag.assert_called_once_with("v1.2.4", preview=True)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/release/test_workflow.py

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow import release
+
+
+class TestWorkflowReleaseEntryPoint(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow._release_impl")
+    def test_release_preview_calls_impl_preview_only(self, mock_impl) -> None:
+        release(preview=True, force=False, close=False)
+
+        mock_impl.assert_called_once()
+        kwargs = mock_impl.call_args.kwargs
+        self.assertTrue(kwargs["preview"])
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs["force"])
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow._release_impl")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=False)
+    def test_release_non_interactive_runs_real_without_confirmation(self, _mock_isatty, mock_impl) -> None:
+        release(preview=False, force=False, close=False)
+
+        mock_impl.assert_called_once()
+        kwargs = mock_impl.call_args.kwargs
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs["preview"])
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow._release_impl")
+    def test_release_force_runs_real_without_confirmation(self, mock_impl) -> None:
+        release(preview=False, force=True, close=False)
+
+        mock_impl.assert_called_once()
+        kwargs = mock_impl.call_args.kwargs
+        self.assertFalse(kwargs["preview"])
+        self.assertTrue(kwargs["force"])
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow._release_impl")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow.confirm_proceed_release", return_value=False)
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=True)
+    def test_release_interactive_decline_runs_only_preview(self, _mock_isatty, _mock_confirm, mock_impl) -> None:
+        release(preview=False, force=False, close=False)
+
+        # interactive path: preview first, then decline => only one call
+        self.assertEqual(mock_impl.call_count, 1)
+        self.assertTrue(mock_impl.call_args_list[0].kwargs["preview"])
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow._release_impl")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow.confirm_proceed_release", return_value=True)
+    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.release.workflow.sys.stdin.isatty", return_value=True)
+    def test_release_interactive_accept_runs_preview_then_real(self, _mock_isatty, _mock_confirm, mock_impl) -> None:
+        release(preview=False, force=False, close=False)
+
+        self.assertEqual(mock_impl.call_count, 2)
+        self.assertTrue(mock_impl.call_args_list[0].kwargs["preview"])
+        self.assertFalse(mock_impl.call_args_list[1].kwargs["preview"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/test_branch.py

@@ -1,146 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import unittest
-from unittest.mock import patch
-
-from pkgmgr.actions.branch import open_branch
-from pkgmgr.core.git import GitError
-
-
-class TestOpenBranch(unittest.TestCase):
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.run_git")
-    def test_open_branch_with_explicit_name_and_default_base(self, mock_run_git) -> None:
-        """
-        open_branch(name, base='main') should:
-        - resolve base branch (prefers 'main', falls back to 'master')
-        - fetch origin
-        - checkout resolved base
-        - pull resolved base
-        - create new branch
-        - push with upstream
-        """
-        mock_run_git.return_value = ""
-
-        open_branch(name="feature/test", base_branch="main", cwd="/repo")
-
-        # We expect a specific sequence of Git calls.
-        expected_calls = [
-            (["rev-parse", "--verify", "main"], "/repo"),
-            (["fetch", "origin"], "/repo"),
-            (["checkout", "main"], "/repo"),
-            (["pull", "origin", "main"], "/repo"),
-            (["checkout", "-b", "feature/test"], "/repo"),
-            (["push", "-u", "origin", "feature/test"], "/repo"),
-        ]
-
-        self.assertEqual(mock_run_git.call_count, len(expected_calls))
-
-        for call, (args_expected, cwd_expected) in zip(
-            mock_run_git.call_args_list, expected_calls
-        ):
-            args, kwargs = call
-            self.assertEqual(args[0], args_expected)
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), cwd_expected)
-
-    @patch("builtins.input", return_value="feature/interactive")
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.run_git")
-    def test_open_branch_prompts_for_name_if_missing(
-        self,
-        mock_run_git,
-        mock_input,
-    ) -> None:
-        """
-        If name is None/empty, open_branch should prompt via input()
-        and still perform the full Git sequence on the resolved base.
-        """
-        mock_run_git.return_value = ""
-
-        open_branch(name=None, base_branch="develop", cwd="/repo")
-
-        # Ensure we asked for input exactly once
-        mock_input.assert_called_once()
-
-        expected_calls = [
-            (["rev-parse", "--verify", "develop"], "/repo"),
-            (["fetch", "origin"], "/repo"),
-            (["checkout", "develop"], "/repo"),
-            (["pull", "origin", "develop"], "/repo"),
-            (["checkout", "-b", "feature/interactive"], "/repo"),
-            (["push", "-u", "origin", "feature/interactive"], "/repo"),
-        ]
-
-        self.assertEqual(mock_run_git.call_count, len(expected_calls))
-        for call, (args_expected, cwd_expected) in zip(
-            mock_run_git.call_args_list, expected_calls
-        ):
-            args, kwargs = call
-            self.assertEqual(args[0], args_expected)
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), cwd_expected)
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.run_git")
-    def test_open_branch_raises_runtimeerror_on_fetch_failure(self, mock_run_git) -> None:
-        """
-        If a GitError occurs on fetch, open_branch should raise a RuntimeError
-        with a helpful message.
-        """
-
-        def side_effect(args, cwd="."):
-            # First call: base resolution (rev-parse) should succeed
-            if args == ["rev-parse", "--verify", "main"]:
-                return ""
-            # Second call: fetch should fail
-            if args == ["fetch", "origin"]:
-                raise GitError("simulated fetch failure")
-            return ""
-
-        mock_run_git.side_effect = side_effect
-
-        with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as cm:
-            open_branch(name="feature/fail", base_branch="main", cwd="/repo")
-
-        msg = str(cm.exception)
-        self.assertIn("Failed to fetch from origin", msg)
-        self.assertIn("simulated fetch failure", msg)
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.branch.run_git")
-    def test_open_branch_uses_fallback_master_if_main_missing(self, mock_run_git) -> None:
-        """
-        If the preferred base (e.g. 'main') does not exist, open_branch should
-        fall back to the fallback base (default: 'master').
-        """
-
-        def side_effect(args, cwd="."):
-            # First: rev-parse main -> fails
-            if args == ["rev-parse", "--verify", "main"]:
-                raise GitError("main does not exist")
-            # Second: rev-parse master -> succeeds
-            if args == ["rev-parse", "--verify", "master"]:
-                return ""
-            # Then normal flow on master
-            return ""
-
-        mock_run_git.side_effect = side_effect
-
-        open_branch(name="feature/fallback", base_branch="main", cwd="/repo")
-
-        expected_calls = [
-            (["rev-parse", "--verify", "main"], "/repo"),
-            (["rev-parse", "--verify", "master"], "/repo"),
-            (["fetch", "origin"], "/repo"),
-            (["checkout", "master"], "/repo"),
-            (["pull", "origin", "master"], "/repo"),
-            (["checkout", "-b", "feature/fallback"], "/repo"),
-            (["push", "-u", "origin", "feature/fallback"], "/repo"),
-        ]
-
-        self.assertEqual(mock_run_git.call_count, len(expected_calls))
-        for call, (args_expected, cwd_expected) in zip(
-            mock_run_git.call_args_list, expected_calls
-        ):
-            args, kwargs = call
-            self.assertEqual(args[0], args_expected)
-            self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), cwd_expected)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/cli/test_branch_cli.py

@@ -1,112 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-
-"""
-Unit tests for the `pkgmgr branch` CLI wiring.
-
-These tests verify that:
-  - The argument parser creates the correct structure for
-    `branch open` and `branch close`.
-  - `handle_branch` calls the corresponding helper functions
-    with the expected arguments (including base branch and cwd).
-"""
-
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import unittest
-from unittest.mock import patch
-
-from pkgmgr.cli.parser import create_parser
-from pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch import handle_branch
-
-
-class TestBranchCLI(unittest.TestCase):
-    """
-    Tests for the branch subcommands implemented in cli.
-    """
-
-    def _create_parser(self):
-        """
-        Create the top-level parser with a minimal description.
-        """
-        return create_parser("pkgmgr test parser")
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.open_branch")
-    def test_branch_open_with_name_and_base(self, mock_open_branch):
-        """
-        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch open <name> --base <branch>` calls
-        open_branch() with the correct parameters.
-        """
-        parser = self._create_parser()
-        args = parser.parse_args(
-            ["branch", "open", "feature/test-branch", "--base", "develop"]
-        )
-
-        # Sanity check: parser wiring
-        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
-        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "open")
-        self.assertEqual(args.name, "feature/test-branch")
-        self.assertEqual(args.base, "develop")
-
-        # ctx is currently unused by handle_branch, so we can pass None
-        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
-
-        mock_open_branch.assert_called_once()
-        _args, kwargs = mock_open_branch.call_args
-
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/test-branch")
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "develop")
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
-    def test_branch_close_with_name_and_base(self, mock_close_branch):
-        """
-        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch close <name> --base <branch>` calls
-        close_branch() with the correct parameters.
-        """
-        parser = self._create_parser()
-        args = parser.parse_args(
-            ["branch", "close", "feature/old-branch", "--base", "main"]
-        )
-
-        # Sanity check: parser wiring
-        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
-        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "close")
-        self.assertEqual(args.name, "feature/old-branch")
-        self.assertEqual(args.base, "main")
-
-        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
-
-        mock_close_branch.assert_called_once()
-        _args, kwargs = mock_close_branch.call_args
-
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("name"), "feature/old-branch")
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
-
-    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
-    def test_branch_close_without_name_uses_none(self, mock_close_branch):
-        """
-        Ensure that `pkgmgr branch close` without a name passes name=None
-        into close_branch(), leaving branch resolution to the helper.
-        """
-        parser = self._create_parser()
-        args = parser.parse_args(["branch", "close"])
-
-        # Parser wiring: no name → None
-        self.assertEqual(args.command, "branch")
-        self.assertEqual(args.subcommand, "close")
-        self.assertIsNone(args.name)
-
-        handle_branch(args, ctx=None)
-
-        mock_close_branch.assert_called_once()
-        _args, kwargs = mock_close_branch.call_args
-
-        self.assertIsNone(kwargs.get("name"))
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
-        self.assertEqual(kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/cli/test_handle_branch.py

@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ class TestCliBranch(unittest.TestCase):
             user_config_path="/tmp/config.yaml",
         )
 
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # open subcommand
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
     @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.open_branch")
     def test_handle_branch_open_forwards_args_to_open_branch(self, mock_open_branch) -> None:
         """
@@ -73,13 +77,15 @@ class TestCliBranch(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
     def test_handle_branch_close_forwards_args_to_close_branch(self, mock_close_branch) -> None:
         """
-        handle_branch('close') should call close_branch with name, base and cwd='.'.
+        handle_branch('close') should call close_branch with name, base,
+        cwd='.' and force=False by default.
         """
         args = SimpleNamespace(
             command="branch",
             subcommand="close",
             name="feature/cli-close",
             base="develop",
+            force=False,
         )
 
         ctx = self._dummy_ctx()
@@ -91,6 +97,7 @@ class TestCliBranch(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("name"), "feature/cli-close")
         self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("base_branch"), "develop")
         self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(call_kwargs.get("force"))
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
     def test_handle_branch_close_uses_default_base_when_not_set(self, mock_close_branch) -> None:
@@ -103,6 +110,7 @@ class TestCliBranch(unittest.TestCase):
             subcommand="close",
             name=None,
             base="main",
+            force=False,
         )
 
         ctx = self._dummy_ctx()
@@ -114,6 +122,113 @@ class TestCliBranch(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIsNone(call_kwargs.get("name"))
         self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
         self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(call_kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.close_branch")
+    def test_handle_branch_close_with_force_true(self, mock_close_branch) -> None:
+        """
+        handle_branch('close') should pass force=True when the args specify it.
+        """
+        args = SimpleNamespace(
+            command="branch",
+            subcommand="close",
+            name="feature/cli-close-force",
+            base="main",
+            force=True,
+        )
+
+        ctx = self._dummy_ctx()
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx)
+
+        mock_close_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _, call_kwargs = mock_close_branch.call_args
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("name"), "feature/cli-close-force")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertTrue(call_kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # drop subcommand
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.drop_branch")
+    def test_handle_branch_drop_forwards_args_to_drop_branch(self, mock_drop_branch) -> None:
+        """
+        handle_branch('drop') should call drop_branch with name, base,
+        cwd='.' and force=False by default.
+        """
+        args = SimpleNamespace(
+            command="branch",
+            subcommand="drop",
+            name="feature/cli-drop",
+            base="develop",
+            force=False,
+        )
+
+        ctx = self._dummy_ctx()
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx)
+
+        mock_drop_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _, call_kwargs = mock_drop_branch.call_args
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("name"), "feature/cli-drop")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("base_branch"), "develop")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(call_kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.drop_branch")
+    def test_handle_branch_drop_uses_default_base_when_not_set(self, mock_drop_branch) -> None:
+        """
+        If --base is not passed for 'drop', argparse gives base='main'
+        (default), and handle_branch should propagate that to drop_branch.
+        """
+        args = SimpleNamespace(
+            command="branch",
+            subcommand="drop",
+            name=None,
+            base="main",
+            force=False,
+        )
+
+        ctx = self._dummy_ctx()
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx)
+
+        mock_drop_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _, call_kwargs = mock_drop_branch.call_args
+        self.assertIsNone(call_kwargs.get("name"))
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertFalse(call_kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.cli.commands.branch.drop_branch")
+    def test_handle_branch_drop_with_force_true(self, mock_drop_branch) -> None:
+        """
+        handle_branch('drop') should pass force=True when the args specify it.
+        """
+        args = SimpleNamespace(
+            command="branch",
+            subcommand="drop",
+            name="feature/cli-drop-force",
+            base="main",
+            force=True,
+        )
+
+        ctx = self._dummy_ctx()
+
+        handle_branch(args, ctx)
+
+        mock_drop_branch.assert_called_once()
+        _, call_kwargs = mock_drop_branch.call_args
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("name"), "feature/cli-drop-force")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("base_branch"), "main")
+        self.assertEqual(call_kwargs.get("cwd"), ".")
+        self.assertTrue(call_kwargs.get("force"))
+
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # unknown subcommand
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def test_handle_branch_unknown_subcommand_exits_with_code_2(self) -> None:
         """