From 51f8430027ceaf7590d826221230cbe2fc1af2ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Sadeep Madurange Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:21:25 +0800 Subject: Change to log/journal style. --- _site/log/suckless-software/index.html | 124 ++++++++++++--------------------- 1 file changed, 44 insertions(+), 80 deletions(-) (limited to '_site/log/suckless-software') diff --git a/_site/log/suckless-software/index.html b/_site/log/suckless-software/index.html index f9e10e4..48ddee1 100644 --- a/_site/log/suckless-software/index.html +++ b/_site/log/suckless-software/index.html @@ -2,12 +2,12 @@ - How to manage Suckless software installations + Suckless upgrade workflow - How to manage Suckless software installations + Suckless upgrade workflow @@ -41,86 +41,50 @@
-

HOW TO MANAGE SUCKLESS SOFTWARE INSTALLATIONS

+

SUCKLESS UPGRADE WORKFLOW

30 NOVEMBER 2025

-

Since suckless software requires users to modify the -source code and recompile to customize, I need a way to maintain patches over -the long term while retaining the ability to upgrade the software as new -versions are released.

- -

Initial setup

- -

When using a suckless program, I usually begin by cloning the project and -setting the remote push URL to my own git repository:

- -
git clone git://git.suckless.org/dwm
-git reset --hard <tag>
-git remote set-url --push origin git@git.asciimx.com:/repos/dwm
-
- -

This way, I can pull updates from the upstream project whenever I want, while -committing my changes to my git repository. The git reset command aligns my -branch head with a stable release before applying patches or installing the -software.

- -

If all I want to do is reconfigure the software (e.g., change key bindings), -which is what I need most of the time, the recommended approach is to modify -the config.h file. If the config.h isn’t yet in the project, the -make clean <target> command will generate it from the defaults and compile -the software. The <target> is the name of the application (e.g., dwm) found -in the Makefile. I modify the resulting config.h file and run make clean -install to install the software before committing and pushing my changes to -the git repo.

- -

dwm and slstatus

- -

Since dwm and slstatus are always running, make install will likely fail for -them. The operating system may prevent the installer from replacing running -executables with new ones. Hence, we must first stop the running instances of -these programs (in my case, using Mod + Shift + q). Then, switch to a tty -(Ctrl + Alt + F1), log in, and change the directory to where dwm/slstatus is. -We can run make install to install the software and switch back to the -graphical session (Ctrl + Alt + F5).

- -

The key combinations for switching to the tty and back may differ across -systems. The ones listed above are for OpenBSD.

- -

Subsequent upgrades

- -

When suckless releases a new version, I run git pull --rebase to fetch the -upstream changes and rebase my patches on top of them. Because I tend to use -stable versions, I perform another interactive rebase to drop the commits -between the latest stable version tag and my patch before installing the -software.

- -

Commit log before upgrading:

- -
dt236  My patch.
-3fkdf  Version 6.5.
-
- -

Commit log after pulling:

- -
w467d  My patch.
-gh25g  A commit.
-g525g  Another commit.
-3fkdf  Version 6.6.
-vd425  Old commit.
-q12vu  Another old commit.
-3fkdf  Version 6.5.
-
- -

Commit log after the interactive rebase:

- -
h57jh  My patch.
-3fkdf  Version 6.6.
-vd425  Old commit.
-q12vu  Another old commit.
-3fkdf  Version 6.5.
-
- -

And finally, I commit and push all the changes to my git repository.

+

Workflow for managing suckless patches across upgrades:

+ +

Initial setup:

+
    +
  • Clone from suckless
    • +
  • Reset to stable tag
    • +
  • Set push URL to my repo (git.asciimx.com)
    • +
  • Pull from upstream, push to mine
    • +
+ +

Config changes only:

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    +
  • Edit config.h (or let make generate it)
    • +
  • make clean install
    • +
  • Commit, push
    • +
+ +

dwm/slstatus installs:

+
    +
  • Can’t replace running binaries
    • +
  • Kill dwm (Mod+Shift+q)
    • +
  • Switch to tty (Ctrl+Alt+F1 on OpenBSD)
    • +
  • make install
    • +
  • Back to X (Ctrl+Alt+F5)
    • +
+ +

Upgrades:

+
    +
  • git pull –rebase
    • +
  • git rebase -i to drop commits between my patch and new stable
    • +
  • Keep only: my patches + new stable tag + old history
    • +
  • Install, commit, push
    • +
+ +

Example:

+ +

Before: [my patch] -> [6.5]
+After pull: [my patch] -> [random commits] -> [6.6] -> [old stuff] -> [6.5]
+After rebase: [my patch] -> [6.6] -> [old stuff] -> [6.5]

+ +

Note: This keeps patch history clean while staying current.

by W. D. Sadeep Madurange

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