Release version 0.7.12

This commit adds a safety guard to create_ink() to prevent creation of
self-referential symlinks when the resolved command already lives at the
intended link target (e.g. ~/.local/bin/package-manager). Such a situation
previously resulted in broken shells with the error:

    "zsh: too many levels of symbolic links"

Key changes:
  - create_ink():
      • Introduce early-abort guard when command == link_path
      • Improve function signature and formatting
      • Enhance alias creation messaging

  - Added comprehensive unit tests under:
        tests/unit/pkgmgr/core/command/test_ink.py
    Tests cover:
      • Self-referential command path → skip symlink creation
      • Standard symlink + alias creation behaviour

This prevents pkgmgr from overwriting user-managed binaries inside ~/.local/bin
and ensures predictable, safe behaviour across all installer layers.

https://chatgpt.com/share/6938a43b-0eb8-800f-9545-6cb555ab406d

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+## [0.7.12] - 2025-12-09
+
+* Fixed self refering alias during setup
+
+
+## [0.7.11] - 2025-12-09
+
+* test: fix installer unit tests for OS packages and Nix dev shell
+
+
 ## [0.7.10] - 2025-12-09
 
 * Fixed test_install_pkgmgr_shallow.py

PKGBUILD

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Maintainer: Kevin Veen-Birkenbach <info@veen.world>
 
 pkgname=package-manager
-pkgver=0.7.10
+pkgver=0.7.12
 pkgrel=1
 pkgdesc="Local-flake wrapper for Kevin's package-manager (Nix-based)."
 arch=('any')

debian/changelog

@@ -1,3 +1,15 @@
+package-manager (0.7.12-1) unstable; urgency=medium
+
+  * Fixed self refering alias during setup
+
+ -- Kevin Veen-Birkenbach <kevin@veen.world>  Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:36:35 +0100
+
+package-manager (0.7.11-1) unstable; urgency=medium
+
+  * test: fix installer unit tests for OS packages and Nix dev shell
+
+ -- Kevin Veen-Birkenbach <kevin@veen.world>  Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:16:46 +0100
+
 package-manager (0.7.10-1) unstable; urgency=medium
 
   * Fixed test_install_pkgmgr_shallow.py

flake.nix

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
         rec {
           pkgmgr = pyPkgs.buildPythonApplication {
             pname   = "package-manager";
-            version = "0.7.10";
+            version = "0.7.12";
 
             # Use the git repo as source
             src = ./.;

package-manager.spec

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 Name:           package-manager
-Version:        0.7.10
+Version:        0.7.12
 Release:        1%{?dist}
 Summary:        Wrapper that runs Kevin's package-manager via Nix flake
 
@@ -77,6 +77,12 @@ echo ">>> package-manager removed. Nix itself was not removed."
 /usr/lib/package-manager/
 
 %changelog
+* Tue Dec 09 2025 Kevin Veen-Birkenbach <kevin@veen.world> - 0.7.12-1
+- Fixed self refering alias during setup
+
+* Tue Dec 09 2025 Kevin Veen-Birkenbach <kevin@veen.world> - 0.7.11-1
+- test: fix installer unit tests for OS packages and Nix dev shell
+
 * Tue Dec 09 2025 Kevin Veen-Birkenbach <kevin@veen.world> - 0.7.10-1
 - Fixed test_install_pkgmgr_shallow.py
 

pkgmgr/core/command/ink.py

@@ -6,8 +6,14 @@ from pkgmgr.core.repository.identifier import get_repo_identifier
 from pkgmgr.core.repository.dir import get_repo_dir
 
 
-def create_ink(repo, repositories_base_dir, bin_dir, all_repos,
+def create_ink(
-               quiet=False, preview=False):
+    repo,
+    repositories_base_dir,
+    bin_dir,
+    all_repos,
+    quiet: bool = False,
+    preview: bool = False,
+) -> None:
     """
     Create a symlink for the repository's command.
 
@@ -18,6 +24,11 @@ def create_ink(repo, repositories_base_dir, bin_dir, all_repos,
     Behavior:
       - If repo["command"] is defined → create a symlink to it.
       - If repo["command"] is missing or None → do NOT create a link.
+
+    Safety:
+      - If the resolved command path is identical to the final link target,
+        we skip symlink creation to avoid self-referential symlinks that
+        would break shell resolution ("too many levels of symbolic links").
     """
 
     repo_identifier = get_repo_identifier(repo, all_repos)
@@ -31,6 +42,27 @@ def create_ink(repo, repositories_base_dir, bin_dir, all_repos,
 
     link_path = os.path.join(bin_dir, repo_identifier)
 
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # Safety guard: avoid self-referential symlinks
+    #
+    # Example of a broken situation we must avoid:
+    #   - command        = ~/.local/bin/package-manager
+    #   - link_path      = ~/.local/bin/package-manager
+    #   - create_ink() removes the real binary and creates a symlink
+    #     pointing to itself → zsh: too many levels of symbolic links
+    #
+    # If the resolved command already lives exactly at the target path,
+    # we treat it as "already installed" and skip any modification.
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    if os.path.abspath(command) == os.path.abspath(link_path):
+        if not quiet:
+            print(
+                f"[pkgmgr] Command for '{repo_identifier}' already lives at "
+                f"'{link_path}'. Skipping symlink creation to avoid a "
+                "self-referential link."
+            )
+        return
+
     if preview:
         print(f"[Preview] Would link {link_path} → {command}")
         return
@@ -65,7 +97,10 @@ def create_ink(repo, repositories_base_dir, bin_dir, all_repos,
 
         if alias_name == repo_identifier:
             if not quiet:
-                print(f"Alias '{alias_name}' equals identifier. Skipping alias creation.")
+                print(
+                    f"Alias '{alias_name}' equals identifier. "
+                    "Skipping alias creation."
+                )
             return
 
         try:

pyproject.toml

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [project]
 name = "package-manager"
-version = "0.7.10"
+version = "0.7.12"
 description = "Kevin's package-manager tool (pkgmgr)"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.11"

tests/e2e/test_install_all_shallow.py

@@ -1,91 +0,0 @@
-"""
-Integration test: install all configured repositories using
---clone-mode shallow (HTTPS shallow clone) and --no-verification.
-
-This test is intended to be run inside the Docker container where:
-  - network access is available,
-  - the config/config.yaml is present,
-  - and it is safe to perform real git operations.
-
-It passes if the command completes without raising an exception.
-"""
-
-import runpy
-import sys
-import unittest
-
-from test_install_pkgmgr_shallow import (
-    nix_profile_list_debug,
-    remove_pkgmgr_from_nix_profile,
-    pkgmgr_help_debug,
-)
-
-
-class TestIntegrationInstallAllShallow(unittest.TestCase):
-    def _run_pkgmgr_install_all(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Helper that runs the CLI command via main.py and provides
-        extra diagnostics if the command exits with a non-zero code.
-        """
-        cmd_repr = "pkgmgr install --all --clone-mode shallow --no-verification"
-        original_argv = sys.argv
-        try:
-            sys.argv = [
-                "pkgmgr",
-                "install",
-                "--all",
-                "--clone-mode",
-                "shallow",
-                "--no-verification",
-            ]
-
-            try:
-                # Execute main.py as if it was called from CLI.
-                # This will run the full install pipeline inside the container.
-                runpy.run_module("main", run_name="__main__")
-            except SystemExit as exc:
-                # Convert SystemExit into a more helpful assertion with debug output.
-                exit_code = exc.code if isinstance(exc.code, int) else str(exc.code)
-
-                print("\n[TEST] pkgmgr install --all failed with SystemExit")
-                print(f"[TEST] Command : {cmd_repr}")
-                print(f"[TEST] Exit code: {exit_code}")
-
-                # Additional Nix profile debug on failure
-                nix_profile_list_debug("ON FAILURE (AFTER SystemExit)")
-
-                raise AssertionError(
-                    f"{cmd_repr!r} failed with exit code {exit_code}. "
-                    "Scroll up to see the full pkgmgr/make output inside the container."
-                ) from exc
-
-        finally:
-            sys.argv = original_argv
-
-    def test_install_all_repositories_shallow(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Run: pkgmgr install --all --clone-mode shallow --no-verification
-
-        This will perform real installations/clones inside the container.
-        The test succeeds if no exception is raised and `pkgmgr --help`
-        works in a fresh interactive bash session afterwards.
-        """
-        # Debug before cleanup
-        nix_profile_list_debug("BEFORE CLEANUP")
-
-        # Cleanup: aggressively try to drop any pkgmgr/profile entries
-        remove_pkgmgr_from_nix_profile()
-
-        # Debug after cleanup
-        nix_profile_list_debug("AFTER CLEANUP")
-
-        # Run the actual install with extended diagnostics
-        self._run_pkgmgr_install_all()
-
-        # After successful installation: show `pkgmgr --help`
-        # via interactive bash (same as the pkgmgr-only test).
-        pkgmgr_help_debug()
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/install/installers/os_packages/test_debian_control.py

@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
-# tests/unit/pkgmgr/installers/os_packages/test_debian_control.py
-
-import os
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.context import RepoContext
-from pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.debian_control import DebianControlInstaller
+from pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.debian_control import (
+    DebianControlInstaller,
+)
 
 
 class TestDebianControlInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -29,14 +28,24 @@ class TestDebianControlInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     @patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/dpkg-buildpackage")
     def test_supports_true(self, mock_which, mock_exists):
+        """
+        supports() should return True when dpkg-buildpackage is available
+        and a debian/control file exists in the repository.
+        """
         self.assertTrue(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
 
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     @patch("shutil.which", return_value=None)
     def test_supports_false_without_dpkg_buildpackage(self, mock_which, mock_exists):
+        """
+        supports() should return False when dpkg-buildpackage is not available,
+        even if a debian/control file exists.
+        """
         self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
 
-    @patch("pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.debian_control.run_command")
+    @patch(
+        "pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.debian_control.run_command"
+    )
     @patch("glob.glob", return_value=["/tmp/package-manager_0.1.1_all.deb"])
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     @patch("shutil.which")
@@ -47,7 +56,19 @@ class TestDebianControlInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
         mock_glob,
         mock_run_command,
     ):
-        # dpkg-buildpackage + apt-get vorhanden
+        """
+        run() should:
+
+        1. Install build dependencies (apt-get build-dep).
+        2. Build the package using dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc.
+        3. Discover built .deb files via glob.
+        4. Install the resulting .deb packages using a suitable tool:
+           - dpkg -i
+           - sudo dpkg -i
+           - or sudo apt-get install -y
+        """
+
+        # Simulate dpkg-buildpackage and apt-get being available.
         def which_side_effect(name):
             if name == "dpkg-buildpackage":
                 return "/usr/bin/dpkg-buildpackage"
@@ -64,16 +85,35 @@ class TestDebianControlInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
         # 1) apt-get update
         self.assertTrue(any("apt-get update" in cmd for cmd in cmds))
 
-        # 2) apt-get build-dep ./ 
+        # 2) apt-get build-dep -y ./ (with or without trailing space)
-        self.assertTrue(any("apt-get build-dep -y ./ " in cmd or
+        self.assertTrue(
-                            "apt-get build-dep -y ./"
+            any(
-                            in cmd for cmd in cmds))
+                "apt-get build-dep -y ./ " in cmd
+                or "apt-get build-dep -y ./"
+                in cmd
+                for cmd in cmds
+            )
+        )
 
         # 3) dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc
         self.assertTrue(any("dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc" in cmd for cmd in cmds))
 
-        # 4) dpkg -i ../*.deb
+        # 4) final installation of .deb packages:
-        self.assertTrue(any(cmd.startswith("sudo dpkg -i ") for cmd in cmds))
+        #    accept dpkg -i, sudo dpkg -i, or sudo apt-get install -y
+        has_plain_dpkg_install = any(cmd.startswith("dpkg -i ") for cmd in cmds)
+        has_sudo_dpkg_install = any(cmd.startswith("sudo dpkg -i ") for cmd in cmds)
+        has_apt_install = any(
+            cmd.startswith("sudo apt-get install -y ") for cmd in cmds
+        )
+
+        self.assertTrue(
+            has_plain_dpkg_install or has_sudo_dpkg_install or has_apt_install,
+            msg=(
+                "Expected one of 'dpkg -i', 'sudo dpkg -i' or "
+                "'sudo apt-get install -y', but got commands: "
+                f"{cmds}"
+            ),
+        )
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

tests/unit/pkgmgr/actions/install/installers/os_packages/test_rpm_spec.py

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-# tests/unit/pkgmgr/installers/os_packages/test_rpm_spec.py
-
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.context import RepoContext
-from pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.rpm_spec import RpmSpecInstaller
+from pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.rpm_spec import (
+    RpmSpecInstaller,
+)
 
 
 class TestRpmSpecInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@ class TestRpmSpecInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("glob.glob", return_value=["/tmp/repo/test.spec"])
     @patch("shutil.which")
     def test_supports_true(self, mock_which, mock_glob):
+        """
+        supports() should return True when:
+        - rpmbuild is available, and
+        - at least one of dnf/yum/yum-builddep is available, and
+        - a *.spec file is present in the repo.
+        """
+
         def which_side_effect(name):
             if name == "rpmbuild":
                 return "/usr/bin/rpmbuild"
@@ -42,9 +49,14 @@ class TestRpmSpecInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("glob.glob", return_value=[])
     @patch("shutil.which")
     def test_supports_false_missing_spec(self, mock_which, mock_glob):
+        """
+        supports() should return False if no *.spec file is found,
+        even if rpmbuild is present.
+        """
         mock_which.return_value = "/usr/bin/rpmbuild"
         self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
 
+    @patch.object(RpmSpecInstaller, "_prepare_source_tarball")
     @patch("pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.os_packages.rpm_spec.run_command")
     @patch("glob.glob")
     @patch("shutil.which")
@@ -53,8 +65,20 @@ class TestRpmSpecInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
         mock_which,
         mock_glob,
         mock_run_command,
+        mock_prepare_source_tarball,
     ):
-        # glob.glob wird zweimal benutzt: einmal für *.spec, einmal für gebaute RPMs
+        """
+        run() should:
+
+        1. Determine the .spec file in the repo.
+        2. Call _prepare_source_tarball() once with ctx and spec path.
+        3. Install build dependencies via dnf/yum-builddep/yum.
+        4. Call rpmbuild -ba <spec>.
+        5. Find built RPMs via glob.
+        6. Install built RPMs via dnf/yum/rpm (here: dnf).
+        """
+
+        # glob.glob is used twice: once for *.spec, once for built RPMs.
         def glob_side_effect(pattern, recursive=False):
             if pattern.endswith("*.spec"):
                 return ["/tmp/repo/package-manager.spec"]
@@ -77,16 +101,23 @@ class TestRpmSpecInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.installer.run(self.ctx)
 
+        # _prepare_source_tarball must have been called with the resolved spec path.
+        mock_prepare_source_tarball.assert_called_once_with(
+            self.ctx,
+            "/tmp/repo/package-manager.spec",
+        )
+
+        # Collect all command strings passed to run_command.
         cmds = [c[0][0] for c in mock_run_command.call_args_list]
 
-        # 1) builddep
+        # 1) build dependencies (dnf builddep)
         self.assertTrue(any("builddep -y" in cmd for cmd in cmds))
 
-        # 2) rpmbuild -ba
+        # 2) rpmbuild -ba <spec>
         self.assertTrue(any(cmd.startswith("rpmbuild -ba ") for cmd in cmds))
 
-        # 3) rpm -i …
+        # 3) installation via dnf: "sudo dnf install -y <rpms>"
-        self.assertTrue(any(cmd.startswith("sudo rpm -i ") for cmd in cmds))
+        self.assertTrue(any(cmd.startswith("sudo dnf install -y ") for cmd in cmds))
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

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

@@ -28,14 +28,27 @@ class TestNixFlakeInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/nix")
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     def test_supports_true_when_nix_and_flake_exist(self, mock_exists, mock_which):
-        self.assertTrue(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
+        """
+        supports() should return True when:
+        - nix is available,
+        - flake.nix exists in the repo,
+        - and we are not inside a Nix dev shell.
+        """
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"IN_NIX_SHELL": ""}, clear=False):
+            self.assertTrue(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
+
         mock_which.assert_called_with("nix")
         mock_exists.assert_called_with(os.path.join(self.ctx.repo_dir, "flake.nix"))
 
     @patch("shutil.which", return_value=None)
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     def test_supports_false_when_nix_missing(self, mock_exists, mock_which):
-        self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
+        """
+        supports() should return False if nix is not available,
+        even if a flake.nix file exists.
+        """
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"IN_NIX_SHELL": ""}, clear=False):
+            self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
 
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     @patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/nix")
@@ -47,10 +60,12 @@ class TestNixFlakeInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
         mock_exists,
     ):
         """
-        Ensure that run():
+        run() should:
-          - first tries to remove the old 'package-manager' profile entry
+
-          - then installs both 'pkgmgr' and 'default' outputs.
+        1. attempt to remove the old 'package-manager' profile entry, and
+        2. install both 'pkgmgr' and 'default' flake outputs.
         """
+
         cmds = []
 
         def side_effect(cmd, cwd=None, preview=False, *args, **kwargs):
@@ -59,18 +74,24 @@ class TestNixFlakeInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
 
         mock_run_command.side_effect = side_effect
 
-        self.installer.run(self.ctx)
+        # Simulate a normal environment (not inside nix develop, installer enabled).
+        with patch.dict(
+            os.environ,
+            {"IN_NIX_SHELL": "", "PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER": ""},
+            clear=False,
+        ):
+            self.installer.run(self.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"
 
-        # Mindestens diese drei Kommandos müssen aufgerufen worden sein
+        # At least these three commands must have been issued.
         self.assertIn(remove_cmd, cmds)
         self.assertIn(install_pkgmgr_cmd, cmds)
         self.assertIn(install_default_cmd, cmds)
 
-        # Optional: sicherstellen, dass der remove-Aufruf zuerst kam
+        # Optional: ensure the remove call came first.
         self.assertEqual(cmds[0], remove_cmd)
 
     @patch("shutil.which", return_value="/usr/bin/nix")
@@ -90,8 +111,13 @@ class TestNixFlakeInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
 
         mock_run_command.side_effect = side_effect
 
-        # Should not raise, SystemExit is swallowed internally.
+        with patch.dict(
-        self.installer._ensure_old_profile_removed(self.ctx)
+            os.environ,
+            {"IN_NIX_SHELL": "", "PKGMGR_DISABLE_NIX_FLAKE_INSTALLER": ""},
+            clear=False,
+        ):
+            # Should not raise, SystemExit is swallowed internally.
+            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(

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

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# tests/unit/pkgmgr/installers/test_python_installer.py
-
 import os
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch
@@ -28,18 +26,40 @@ class TestPythonInstaller(unittest.TestCase):
 
     @patch("os.path.exists", side_effect=lambda path: path.endswith("pyproject.toml"))
     def test_supports_true_when_pyproject_exists(self, mock_exists):
-        self.assertTrue(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
+        """
+        supports() should return True when a pyproject.toml exists in the repo
+        and we are not inside a Nix dev shell.
+        """
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"IN_NIX_SHELL": ""}, clear=False):
+            self.assertTrue(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
 
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=False)
     def test_supports_false_when_no_pyproject(self, mock_exists):
-        self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
+        """
+        supports() should return False when no pyproject.toml exists.
+        """
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"IN_NIX_SHELL": ""}, clear=False):
+            self.assertFalse(self.installer.supports(self.ctx))
 
     @patch("pkgmgr.actions.repository.install.installers.python.run_command")
     @patch("os.path.exists", side_effect=lambda path: path.endswith("pyproject.toml"))
     def test_run_installs_project_from_pyproject(self, mock_exists, mock_run_command):
-        self.installer.run(self.ctx)
+        """
+        run() should invoke pip to install the project from pyproject.toml
+        when we are not inside a Nix dev shell.
+        """
+        # Simulate a normal environment (not inside nix develop).
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {"IN_NIX_SHELL": ""}, clear=False):
+            self.installer.run(self.ctx)
+
+        # Ensure run_command was actually called.
+        mock_run_command.assert_called()
+
+        # Extract the command string.
         cmd = mock_run_command.call_args[0][0]
         self.assertIn("pip install .", cmd)
+
+        # Ensure the working directory is the repo dir.
         self.assertEqual(
             mock_run_command.call_args[1].get("cwd"),
             self.ctx.repo_dir,

tests/unit/pkgmgr/core/command/test_ink.py

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+import os
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from pkgmgr.core.command.ink import create_ink
+
+
+class TestCreateInk(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("pkgmgr.core.command.ink.get_repo_dir")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.core.command.ink.get_repo_identifier")
+    def test_self_referential_command_skips_symlink(
+        self,
+        mock_get_repo_identifier,
+        mock_get_repo_dir,
+    ):
+        """
+        If the resolved command path is identical to the final link target,
+        create_ink() must NOT replace it with a self-referential symlink.
+
+        This simulates the situation where the command already lives at
+        ~/.local/bin/<identifier> and we would otherwise create a symlink
+        pointing to itself.
+        """
+        mock_get_repo_identifier.return_value = "package-manager"
+        mock_get_repo_dir.return_value = "/fake/repo"
+
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as bin_dir:
+            # Simulate an existing real binary at the final link location.
+            command_path = os.path.join(bin_dir, "package-manager")
+            with open(command_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                f.write("#!/bin/sh\necho package-manager\n")
+
+            # Sanity check: not a symlink yet.
+            self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(command_path))
+            self.assertFalse(os.path.islink(command_path))
+
+            repo = {"command": command_path}
+
+            # This must NOT turn the file into a self-referential symlink.
+            create_ink(
+                repo=repo,
+                repositories_base_dir="/fake/base",
+                bin_dir=bin_dir,
+                all_repos=[],
+                quiet=True,
+                preview=False,
+            )
+
+            # After create_ink(), the file must still exist and must not be a symlink.
+            self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(command_path))
+            self.assertFalse(
+                os.path.islink(command_path),
+                "create_ink() must not create a self-referential symlink "
+                "when command == link_path",
+            )
+
+    @patch("pkgmgr.core.command.ink.get_repo_dir")
+    @patch("pkgmgr.core.command.ink.get_repo_identifier")
+    def test_create_symlink_for_normal_command(
+        self,
+        mock_get_repo_identifier,
+        mock_get_repo_dir,
+    ):
+        """
+        In the normal case (command path != link target), create_ink()
+        must create a symlink in bin_dir pointing to the given command,
+        and optionally an alias symlink when repo['alias'] is set.
+        """
+        mock_get_repo_identifier.return_value = "mytool"
+
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as repo_dir, tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as bin_dir:
+            mock_get_repo_dir.return_value = repo_dir
+
+            # Create a fake executable inside the repository.
+            command_path = os.path.join(repo_dir, "main.sh")
+            with open(command_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                f.write("#!/bin/sh\necho mytool\n")
+            os.chmod(command_path, 0o755)
+
+            repo = {
+                "command": command_path,
+                "alias": "mt",
+            }
+
+            create_ink(
+                repo=repo,
+                repositories_base_dir="/fake/base",
+                bin_dir=bin_dir,
+                all_repos=[],
+                quiet=True,
+                preview=False,
+            )
+
+            link_path = os.path.join(bin_dir, "mytool")
+            alias_path = os.path.join(bin_dir, "mt")
+
+            # Main link must exist and point to the command.
+            self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(link_path))
+            self.assertEqual(os.readlink(link_path), command_path)
+
+            # Alias must exist and point to the main link.
+            self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(alias_path))
+            self.assertEqual(os.readlink(alias_path), link_path)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()