---

name: edit-spec-file description: Edit Bottlerocket RPM spec files following project style conventions

Skill: Edit Spec File

Purpose

Make changes to Bottlerocket RPM spec files while maintaining strict compliance with project style conventions. This skill ensures consistent, maintainable spec files across all kit packages.

When to Use

• Adding new source files, patches, or templates to a package
• Adding systemd services or configuration files
• Creating new subpackages (including FIPS variants)
• Modifying build or install sections
• Any modification to a .spec file in kits/*/packages/

Prerequisites

• Read ./STYLE-GUIDE.md completely before making changes
• Identify an existing similar package as a reference pattern

Procedure

1. Read the Style Guide

MANDATORY: Read ./STYLE-GUIDE.md before making any changes.

The style guide contains:

• [MUST] rules that are mandatory
• [MUST NOT] rules that are prohibited
• [SHOULD] rules that are strongly recommended

2. Find a Reference Package

Identify one or several similar existing package(s) to use as a pattern:

# For Go packages
ls kits/bottlerocket-core-kit/packages/*/nvidia-k8s-device-plugin.spec

# For C packages with systemd services
ls kits/bottlerocket-core-kit/packages/chrony/chrony.spec

# For packages with FIPS variants
ls kits/bottlerocket-core-kit/packages/amazon-ssm-agent/amazon-ssm-agent.spec

3. Apply Changes Following Section Order

Spec files have a strict section order:

1. %global definitions
2. Package metadata (Name, Version, Release, Summary, License, URL)
3. Source files (numbered by range: <100 misc, 1xx systemd, 2xx tmpfiles, 3xx udev, 4xx licenses)
4. Patches (numbered 1000+)
5. BuildRequires / Requires
6. %description
7. Subpackage definitions (%package, %description)
8. %prep
9. %build
10. %install
11. %files sections

4. Source File Numbering

Follow the established ranges if needed, use the example packages for specific guidance above the following examples:

• Source0-Source99: Main sources and miscellaneous files
• Source100-Source199: Systemd unit files
• Source200-Source299: Tmpfiles configurations
• Source300-Source399: Udev rules
• Source400-Source499: License files

CRITICAL: When removing sources, leave gaps - do NOT renumber existing sources unless its in the same hundreds section.

5. Install Files in Source Order

Files in %install must be installed in the same order as their Source declarations:

# Sources declared as:
Source1: nvidia-k8s-device-plugin.service
Source2: nvidia-k8s-device-plugin-conf
Source3: nvidia-k8s-device-plugin-exec-start-conf

# Install in same order:
install -p -m 0644 %{S:1} %{buildroot}%{_cross_unitdir}
install -D -m 0644 %{S:2} %{buildroot}%{_cross_templatedir}/nvidia-k8s-device-plugin-conf
install -D -m 0644 %{S:3} %{buildroot}%{_cross_templatedir}/nvidia-k8s-device-plugin-exec-start-conf

6. Use Correct Macros

Always use cross-compilation macros:

• %{_cross_bindir} not /usr/bin
• %{_cross_unitdir} for systemd units
• %{_cross_templatedir} for templates
• %{_cross_factorydir}%{_cross_sysconfdir}/... for factory defaults
• %{_cross_fips_bindir} for FIPS binaries

7. FIPS Subpackage Pattern

When adding binaries that need FIPS variants:

%package bin
Summary: Package binaries
Provides: %{name}(binaries)
Requires: (%{_cross_os}image-feature(no-fips) and %{name})
Conflicts: (%{_cross_os}image-feature(fips) or %{name}-fips-bin)

%description bin
%{summary}.

%package fips-bin
Summary: Package binaries, FIPS edition
Provides: %{name}(binaries)
Requires: (%{_cross_os}image-feature(fips) and %{name})
Conflicts: (%{_cross_os}image-feature(no-fips) or %{name}-bin)

%description fips-bin
%{summary}.

8. File Permissions

Use consistent permissions:

• 0755 for executables
• 0644 for config files, templates, service files
• Use install -p to preserve timestamps
• Use install -D when parent directories need creation

Validation Checklist

Before committing, spawn a subagent to independently verify, refer to this document and the 'Validation Checklist':

• Source files numbered in correct ranges
• Install order matches Source declaration order
• All paths use %{_cross_*} macros
• No files installed to /etc or /var (use factory defaults pattern)
• %{_cross_attribution_file} in main %files section
• %license directive for license files
• %dir directive for directories owned by package
• No debugging commands (ls -la, etc.)
• No unnecessary comments
• Consistent formatting (no trailing whitespace, consistent indentation)
• Release: 1%{?dist} format (no dot before %)

Committing Changes

When committing spec file changes, use -F with a file to preserve newlines in commit messages:

# Write message to file, then commit with -F
msg = """package-name: summary of change

Detailed description of what changed and why.

Signed-off-by: Name <email>"""
write("create", "/tmp/commit-msg.txt", file_text=msg)
bash("git -c commit.gpgsign=false commit -F /tmp/commit-msg.txt")

DO NOT use git commit -m with repr() or escaped strings - this writes literal \n instead of newlines.

Common Anti-Patterns

DO NOT:

• Use Release: 1.%{?dist} (wrong: has dot)
• Include ./ prefix in file paths
• Add comments that restate obvious operations
• Use %exclude as substitute for proper build configuration
• Renumber sources when removing items
• Install files out of source order
• Use hardcoded paths instead of macros
• Create cross-package symlinks

Quick Reference

Adding a Systemd Service

1. Add source in 100-range: Source101: myservice.service
2. Install to unitdir: install -p -m 0644 %{S:101} %{buildroot}%{_cross_unitdir}
3. Add to %files: %{_cross_unitdir}/myservice.service

Adding a Template

1. Add source: Source5: mytemplate-conf
2. Install: install -D -m 0644 %{S:5} %{buildroot}%{_cross_templatedir}/mytemplate-conf
3. Add to %files: %{_cross_templatedir}/mytemplate-conf

Adding a Drop-in Directory

1. Create dir: install -d %{buildroot}%{_cross_unitdir}/myservice.service.d
2. Add to %files: %dir %{_cross_unitdir}/myservice.service.d