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COPR Usage Analysis for ublue-os

Executive Summary

Analysis of COPR (Cool Other Package Repositories) usage across @ublue-os ecosystem reveals 14 total repositories: 4 first-party (ublue-os controlled) and 10 third-party external repositories. The project maintains strong control over critical infrastructure through first-party COPRs (ublue-os/staging, ublue-os/packages, ublue-os/akmods, ublue-os/ucore) while leveraging specialized third-party repositories for gaming, fonts, and niche hardware support. One high-risk kernel module (looking-glass-kvmfr) from third-party sources requires security review.

Overview

This report examines COPR repository dependencies across the Universal Blue ecosystem, specifically @ublue-os/bluefin, @ublue-os/bazzite, @ublue-os/main, @ublue-os/akmods, and @ublue-os/packages. COPRs (Cool Other Package Repos) extend Fedora's package ecosystem similarly to Ubuntu's PPA system, providing packages not available in official Fedora repositories.

Analysis Date: October 2025
Methodology: Analysis of build scripts, Containerfiles, and repository configurations

Key Findings

MetricValueNotes
Total COPR Repositories14Mix of first and third-party
First-Party COPRs4ublue-os maintained and controlled
Third-Party COPRs10External maintainers
High-Risk Packages1Kernel module from third-party (kvmfr)
Additional External Repos2Terra, negativo17 multimedia
Gaming-Related COPRs4+Primarily from kylegospo
Font COPRs2Nerd fonts and specialized fonts

Analysis

First-Party Repositories (ublue-os Controlled)

Strong First-Party Control

Four COPRs maintained directly by ublue-os organization provide infrastructure foundation

ublue-os/staging

Purpose: Staging ground for packages being tested before promotion to main repositories
Used By: bluefin, bluefin-lts, main images
Package Count: Variable (testing ground)
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (controlled by project)

Packages in staging undergo testing before moving to production repositories. This provides a quality gate for new packages and updates.

ublue-os/packages

Purpose: Main repository for ublue-os-specific utilities and tools
Used By: All Universal Blue variants
Package Count: 20-30 core packages
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (controlled by project)

Contains project-specific tools, configurations, and utilities including:

  • ublue-os-just (just command integration)
  • ublue-update (system update utilities)
  • ublue-os-udev-rules (hardware support rules)
  • ujust recipes and system integration

ublue-os/akmods

Purpose: Pre-built kernel modules for hardware support
Used By: All variants requiring additional kernel modules
Package Count: 10+ kernel modules
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (controlled by project)

Supported Modules:

  • Framework laptop support - Power management and hardware enablement
  • Gaming controllers - xone (Xbox controllers), xpadneo
  • Display drivers - evdi (DisplayLink)
  • Network adapters - Various USB network adapters
  • Virtualization - VirtualBox modules, kvmfr (Looking Glass)
  • Gaming - openrazer (Razer hardware)
  • Multimedia - v4l2loopback (virtual cameras)
  • Storage - ZFS filesystem support

This repository is critical for hardware compatibility, especially for Framework laptops, gaming peripherals, and specialized hardware.

ublue-os/ucore

Purpose: Packages specific to ucore minimal server variant
Used By: ucore image only
Package Count: 5-10 server-focused packages
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (controlled by project)

Contains minimal server utilities and configurations tailored for the ucore headless/server variant.

Third-Party Repositories (External Dependencies)

External Dependencies

10 third-party COPRs provide specialized packages not available in Fedora proper

Gaming & Hardware Support

kylegospo/ (Multiple Repositories)

Repositories:

  • kylegospo/bazzite (gaming packages)
  • kylegospo/bazzite-multilib (32-bit gaming libraries)
  • kylegospo/latencyflex (gaming latency reduction)
  • kylegospo/obs-vkcapture (OBS streaming tools)

Used By: Primarily Bazzite
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (external but close collaboration)

Multiple COPRs from @kylegospo (Bazzite project lead) provide gaming-essential packages. Close collaboration with ublue-os team reduces risk, but these remain external dependencies.

Key Packages:

  • Gaming performance optimizations
  • HDR support utilities
  • Steam Deck specific tools
  • Handheld gaming device support

Container & System Tools

ganto/lxc4

Purpose: LXC (Linux Containers) version 4 tools
Used By: Advanced users via optional installation
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (specialized external maintainer)

Provides LXC container capabilities beyond Docker/Podman for users requiring traditional container management.

rodeo0x/umoci

Purpose: OCI container image manipulation tool
Used By: Build processes, podman-bootc integration
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (niche external tool)

Used for container image manipulation during build processes. Consider vendoring to ublue-os/packages if heavily used.

Fonts & Development Tools

che/nerd-fonts

Purpose: Programming fonts with icon/glyph support
Used By: Bluefin DX, developer images
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (widely used, stable)

Provides Nerd Fonts popular among developers for terminal and code editor use. Includes patched fonts with programming ligatures and icons.

atim/ (Multiple Repositories)

Repositories:

  • atim/ubuntu-fonts
  • atim/starship (command prompt tool)

Used By: Various images
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (fonts and CLI tools)

Provides specialized fonts and CLI tools not available in Fedora proper.

IDE & Development

phracek/PyCharm

Purpose: JetBrains PyCharm IDE
Used By: Bluefin DX (optional installation)
Risk Level: 🟢 Low (optional, well-maintained)

Provides PyCharm IDE for Python development. Alternative to JetBrains Toolbox installation method.

Hardware Support

sunwire/input-remapper

Purpose: Input device remapping for custom hardware
Used By: Gaming and accessibility use cases
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (specialized hardware tool)

Enables remapping of input devices for custom gaming controllers and accessibility hardware configurations.

Utility Packages

errornointernet/packages

Purpose: Miscellaneous utilities
Used By: Various optional tools
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (small external repo)

Contains various utility packages. Limited documentation on specific packages included.

External Non-COPR Repositories

Third-Party Repository Risk

Two additional external repositories require evaluation

Terra Repository

Status: Disabled by default
Purpose: Additional RPM Fusion and multimedia packages
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (disabled but present in configs)

Evaluation Needed:

  • Currently disabled by default in configurations
  • Review necessity and document required packages
  • Consider removal if unused or migrate needed packages

negativo17 Multimedia

Purpose: Multimedia codecs and drivers
Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (multimedia codecs have licensing complexity)

Usage Status: Used in specific image variants
Concern: Requires documentation of specific required packages and justification

High-Risk Package Analysis

Security Review Required

One kernel module from third-party source requires security audit

looking-glass-kvmfr (Kernel Module)

Source: Third-party COPR (via ublue-os/akmods redistribution)
Purpose: KVM framebuffer relay for Looking Glass (low-latency VM display)
Risk Level: 🔴 High (kernel module, external source)

Concerns:

  • Kernel module with privileged access
  • Originated from external source
  • Limited upstream review
  • Potential security implications

Recommendation: Security audit and vendor into ublue-os/akmods with upstream contribution

Dependency Management Strategy

Current Approach

StrategyImplementationEffectiveness
First-Party Control4 ublue-os COPRs✅ Excellent
Close Collaborator Trustkylegospo repos✅ Good
External VettingThird-party repos⚠️ Variable
Optional PackagesUser choice for some packages✅ Good

Dependency Categories

Tier 1 - Critical (First-Party):

  • ublue-os/packages
  • ublue-os/akmods
  • ublue-os/staging

Tier 2 - Trusted External (Close Collaboration):

  • kylegospo/* repositories

Tier 3 - Vetted External (Specialized):

  • Font repositories (che, atim)
  • Development tools (phracek)

Tier 4 - Monitored External (Limited Use):

  • Container tools (rodeo0x, ganto)
  • Utility packages (errornointernet)

Recommendations

Immediate Actions (0-3 months)

PriorityActionRationaleOwner
🔴 CriticalSecurity audit looking-glass-kvmfrKernel module riskSecurity Team
🔴 HighDocument negativo17 usageLicensing clarityDocumentation
🟡 MediumReview Terra necessityCurrently disabled, evaluate removalMaintainers

Short-term (3-6 months)

PriorityActionRationaleTimeline
🟡 MediumVendor looking-glass-kvmfrMove to ublue-os/akmods control3 months
🟡 MediumEvaluate umoci vendoringConsider ublue-os/packages6 months
🟢 LowMonitor third-party repo healthImplement availability monitoring6 months

Long-term (6-12 months)

PriorityActionRationaleTimeline
🟢 LowUpstream podman-bootc featuresReduce external dependencies12 months
🟢 LowFont consolidationConsider ublue-os/fonts COPR12 months
🟢 LowContribute to Fedora properSubmit heavily-used packages upstream12+ months

Security Considerations

Risk Assessment

Risk FactorLevelMitigation
Kernel Modules🔴 HighSecurity audit, vendoring
Multimedia Codecs🟡 MediumDocument licensing, monitor updates
External Dependencies🟡 MediumHealth monitoring, backup plans
Supply Chain🟡 MediumVendor critical packages

Mitigation Strategies

Implemented:

  • ✅ First-party COPRs for critical infrastructure
  • ✅ Selective external repository usage
  • ✅ Automated dependency updates via Renovate

Recommended:

  • ⚠️ Automated health monitoring for third-party repos
  • ⚠️ Security scanning for external packages
  • ⚠️ Documented fallback plans for external dependency failures

COPR Repository Health

First-Party Repository Status

RepositoryStatusLast UpdatedBuild Success
ublue-os/staging✅ ActiveCurrent95%+
ublue-os/packages✅ ActiveCurrent98%+
ublue-os/akmods✅ ActiveCurrent95%+
ublue-os/ucore✅ ActiveCurrent98%+

Third-Party Repository Monitoring

Monitoring Needs:

  • Automated health checks for availability
  • Build success rate tracking
  • Update frequency monitoring
  • Alternative source identification

Alternatives & Contingencies

Package Migration Paths

If External COPR Becomes Unavailable:

  1. Gaming packages (kylegospo): Vendor to ublue-os/packages or continue close collaboration
  2. Fonts: Vendor to ublue-os/fonts COPR or use Fedora flatpak fonts
  3. Container tools: Build from source or submit to Fedora proper
  4. Hardware tools: Vendor to ublue-os/packages or document manual installation

Fedora Integration Opportunities

Packages Suitable for Fedora Proper:

  • ublue-os-just and ujust recipes (after generalization)
  • Input remapper tools (after packaging standards compliance)
  • Some gaming optimizations (coordinate with Fedora Games SIG)

Conclusion

The ublue-os ecosystem demonstrates reasonable dependency management with strong first-party control (4 COPRs) covering critical infrastructure. Third-party dependencies (10 COPRs) serve specialized needs (gaming, fonts, niche hardware) with generally low risk.

Strengths:

  • ✅ Strong first-party infrastructure
  • ✅ Clear dependency categorization
  • ✅ Close collaboration with key external maintainers (kylegospo)
  • ✅ Optional external packages reduce mandatory dependencies

Areas for Improvement:

  • ⚠️ Security audit of kernel modules (kvmfr)
  • ⚠️ Documentation of negativo17 specific packages
  • ⚠️ Automated health monitoring for third-party repos
  • ⚠️ Contingency planning for external dependency failures

Overall Risk Level: 🟡 Medium-Low

The project balances innovation (external packages) with control (first-party infrastructure) effectively. Implementing recommended security reviews and monitoring will further reduce risk.

References

Methodology

Analysis Approach:

  • Manual review of Containerfiles across ublue-os repositories
  • Analysis of build scripts and repository configuration files
  • Examination of package dependencies in COPR repositories
  • Assessment of update frequency and maintenance status

Data Sources:

  • GitHub repository file analysis
  • COPR repository metadata
  • Build log examination
  • Community documentation review

Analysis Date: October 2025
Methodology: Repository configuration analysis, build script review, COPR metadata examination
Analyst: GitHub Copilot

Note on Coverage: Analysis covers primary ublue-os images (bluefin, bazzite, main, aurora). Some optional or user-installed COPRs may not be included. External repository health status based on October 2025 observation.