Bootc Rollback Issue Staged Deployments Removed Silently

Jul 23, 2025 by gitftunila 57 views

Rollback after Switch Removes the Staged Deployment

In the realm of bootc, a modern tool for managing operating system images, unexpected behavior can sometimes surface during deployment and rollback operations. This article delves into a specific scenario where running bootc rollback after a bootc switch command inadvertently removes the staged deployment silently. This issue, reproducible under certain conditions, can lead to confusion and potential disruptions in system updates. We will explore the steps to reproduce this behavior, analyze the underlying problem, and discuss the implications for users and developers.

Understanding bootc

Before diving into the specifics of the issue, let's briefly understand what bootc is and its role in managing operating system deployments. Bootc is a tool designed for managing bootable container images, particularly in the context of operating systems like Fedora CoreOS. It allows users to switch between different OS images, stage deployments for future boots, and rollback to previous states if necessary. This functionality is crucial for maintaining system stability and enabling seamless updates. The core commands, such as bootc switch, bootc status, and bootc rollback, are essential for interacting with the system's deployment state. Understanding these commands and their expected behavior is key to diagnosing and resolving issues like the one we are about to discuss.

The problem arises when a deployment is staged using bootc switch, and then a bootc rollback command is executed before the system is rebooted. The staged deployment is silently deleted, which can be unexpected behavior. This section provides a step-by-step guide to reproduce this issue, allowing users and developers to understand the exact conditions under which it occurs. By following these steps, you can verify the problem on your own system and gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanics.

Step-by-Step Reproduction

Switch to a New Image: Begin by switching to a new image using the bootc switch command. For example:

$ bootc switch 192.168.122.1:5000/bootc-43-upgrade
layers already present: 0; layers needed: 52 (817.9 MB)
Fetched layers: 780.03 MiB in 12 seconds (67.21 MiB/s)
Deploying: done (3 seconds)
Queued for next boot: 192.168.122.1:5000/bootc-43-upgrade
  Version: 42.20250623.3.1
  Digest: sha256:b3b0d49d8a6b084aba298c172c7f4c94458ab167c73f0f874dbf47e54002674b

This command tells bootc to prepare the system to boot into the specified image on the next reboot. The output will show the progress of fetching the necessary layers and deploying the image.

Verify the Staged Image: Check the status to confirm that the image is staged for deployment:

$ bootc status
  Staged image: 192.168.122.1:5000/bootc-43-upgrade
        Digest: sha256:b3b0d49d8a6b084aba298c172c7f4c94458ab167c73f0f874dbf47e54002674b (amd64)
       Version: 42.20250623.3.1 (2025-07-16T11:24:47Z)

● Booted image: quay.io/fedora/fedora-coreos:stable
        Digest: sha256:da8486bd1571a7e101dd178eb7826e174de6810389d1f6eb3204278f1942ed53 (amd64)
       Version: 42.20250623.3.1 (2025-07-10T18:50:20Z)

  Rollback image: quay.io/fedora/fedora-coreos:stable
          Digest: sha256:906ee44ef3c21ee25c856d7c6964cba89595ff03d6454eb89b83bc7c36c2aa2b (amd64)
         Version: 42.20250609.3.0 (2025-06-23T19:16:31Z)

The bootc status command provides information about the current boot image, the staged image, and the rollback image. Ensure that the Staged image section shows the image you switched to in the previous step.

Execute Rollback: Now, run the bootc rollback command:
```
$ bootc rollback
Next boot: rollback deployment
```
This command prepares the system to rollback to the previous image on the next boot.

Check Status Again: Check the status again to observe the changes:

$ bootc status

● Booted image: quay.io/fedora/fedora-coreos:stable
        Digest: sha256:da8486bd1571a7e101dd178eb7826e174de6810389d1f6eb3204278f1942ed53 (amd64)
       Version: 42.20250623.3.1 (2025-07-10T18:50:20Z)

  Rollback image: quay.io/fedora/fedora-coreos:stable
          Digest: sha256:906ee44ef3c21ee25c856d7c6964cba89595ff03d6454eb89b83bc7c36c2aa2b (amd64)
         Version: 42.20250609.3.0 (2025-06-23T19:16:31Z)

Notice that the Staged image section is now missing. This indicates that the staged deployment has been removed. The file /run/ostree/staged-deployment is also deleted as a result of this operation.

Reboot the System: Reboot the system to apply the rollback.

Verify After Reboot: After the reboot, check the status again:

$ bootc status
● Booted image: quay.io/fedora/fedora-coreos:stable
        Digest: sha256:906ee44ef3c21ee25c856d7c6964cba89595ff03d6454eb89b83bc7c36c2aa2b (amd64)
       Version: 42.20250609.3.0 (2025-06-23T19:16:31Z)

  Rollback image: quay.io/fedora/fedora-coreos:stable
          Digest: sha256:da8486bd1571a7e101dd178eb7826e174de6810389d1f6eb3204278f1942ed53 (amd64)
         Version: 42.20250623.3.1 (2025-07-10T18:50:20Z)

You will see that the system has booted into the rollback image, and the previous booted image is now the rollback image.

Analysis of the Issue

The core issue lies in the interaction between the bootc rollback command and the presence of a staged deployment. When bootc rollback is executed, it removes the staged deployment without providing any explicit warning or confirmation. This behavior can be problematic because users might expect the staged deployment to remain intact until explicitly removed or overwritten. The silent removal of the staged deployment can lead to confusion, especially if the user intended to switch to the staged image at a later time. Understanding the root cause of this behavior is crucial for developers to implement a fix and for users to avoid unexpected data loss or deployment issues.

The silent removal of a staged deployment after running bootc rollback has several implications for users and developers. Let's explore these impacts in detail:

For Users

Unexpected Data Loss: Users might stage a new deployment with the intention of switching to it later. If a rollback is performed in the meantime, the staged deployment is silently removed. This can lead to the loss of the staged image, which might have included important updates or configurations. This unexpected data loss can be frustrating and time-consuming to recover from.
Confusion and Uncertainty: The lack of a warning message or confirmation prompt when the staged deployment is removed can leave users confused about the system's state. They might be unaware that the staged deployment has been deleted, leading to further complications when they expect to boot into it. This uncertainty can erode trust in the system's reliability and predictability.
Disrupted Workflows: Users who rely on staged deployments as part of their update or testing workflows will find this behavior disruptive. The silent removal of the staged deployment can break their processes, requiring them to re-stage the image and potentially delaying their work. This disruption can be particularly problematic in production environments where timely updates and rollbacks are critical.

For Developers

Debugging Challenges: The silent nature of the issue makes it difficult to diagnose and debug. Developers might spend significant time trying to understand why a staged deployment is missing, especially if they are unaware of this specific behavior. This can slow down the development process and make it harder to identify the root cause of the problem.
Code Complexity: Addressing this issue requires careful consideration of the interactions between the bootc switch and bootc rollback commands. Developers need to ensure that the rollback operation handles staged deployments in a way that is both safe and intuitive. This might involve adding checks to prevent accidental removal of staged deployments or providing clear warnings to the user.
User Experience Considerations: The current behavior is not user-friendly. Developers need to improve the user experience by providing better feedback and preventing unexpected data loss. This might involve implementing confirmation prompts, adding informative messages, or changing the default behavior of the bootc rollback command.

To address the issue of staged deployments being silently removed by bootc rollback, several solutions and mitigation strategies can be considered. These solutions aim to improve the user experience, prevent data loss, and provide clearer feedback to the user.

User Interface Improvements

Confirmation Prompt: Before removing a staged deployment, bootc rollback should display a confirmation prompt to the user. This prompt should clearly state that the staged deployment will be removed and ask the user to confirm the action. This simple change can prevent accidental data loss and ensure that users are aware of the consequences of their actions.
Warning Message: If a staged deployment exists, bootc rollback should display a warning message informing the user that a staged deployment is present and will be removed. This warning message should be displayed even if a confirmation prompt is not implemented. The message should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Informative Status Output: The bootc status command should provide more detailed information about the staged deployment, including its purpose and any potential risks associated with its removal. This can help users make informed decisions about whether to perform a rollback.

Code-Level Solutions

Conditional Removal: Modify the bootc rollback command to conditionally remove the staged deployment. For example, the staged deployment could be preserved if a specific flag is set or if the user explicitly requests its removal. This provides more flexibility and control over the rollback process.
Backup Mechanism: Implement a backup mechanism that automatically saves the staged deployment before it is removed. This allows users to restore the staged deployment if they later decide they need it. The backup could be stored in a separate location or as part of the rollback image.
Rollback Staging: Instead of removing the staged deployment, bootc rollback could stage the rollback image for the next boot. This approach aligns with the overall design of bootc, which emphasizes staged deployments and seamless transitions between images.

User Education and Documentation

Clear Documentation: Update the bootc documentation to clearly explain the behavior of bootc rollback with respect to staged deployments. This documentation should include examples and best practices for managing staged deployments and performing rollbacks.
Tutorials and Guides: Create tutorials and guides that demonstrate how to use bootc effectively and avoid common pitfalls, such as the silent removal of staged deployments. These resources can help users understand the tool better and use it more confidently.
Community Support: Engage with the bootc community to address user questions and concerns about this issue. Provide support and guidance to users who have encountered this problem and help them find solutions.

The issue of bootc rollback silently removing staged deployments is a significant concern that can lead to unexpected data loss and user confusion. By understanding the steps to reproduce this behavior, analyzing its impact, and considering potential solutions, users and developers can work together to address this problem and improve the overall reliability and usability of bootc. Implementing user interface improvements, code-level solutions, and user education strategies are all essential steps in mitigating this issue and ensuring that bootc remains a robust and user-friendly tool for managing operating system images. The discussed solutions, such as adding confirmation prompts and conditional removal mechanisms, can significantly enhance the user experience and prevent accidental data loss. Furthermore, clear documentation and community support are crucial for helping users understand the tool's behavior and avoid potential pitfalls. Addressing this issue will not only improve the immediate experience of bootc users but also contribute to the long-term stability and adoption of the tool within the broader ecosystem of container-based operating systems.

Call to Action

If you have encountered this issue or have further insights, we encourage you to contribute to the bootc community. Reporting your experiences, suggesting solutions, and participating in discussions can help improve the tool for everyone. Together, we can make bootc an even more reliable and user-friendly tool for managing operating system deployments.