Flatcar Container Linux is a modern Linux distribution for running container workloads. To stay modern, the packages included need to be kept up-to-date, and sometimes new packages introduced. This documents explains the process for the latter.
When proposing new packages for inclusion into Flatcar Container Linux, it's important to keep in mind how the project defines itself:
Flatcar Container Linux is a fully open source, minimal-footprint, secure by default and always up-to-date Linux distribution for running containers at scale.
As a minimal Linux distribution, the tools and applications included in Flatcar Container Linux are to be kept to a minimum. This is to reduce both the image size and attack surface. Package addition requests are evaluated with this in mind. Other criteria that are weighed are the following.
- Secure by default: Does the package increase the security of Flatcar?
- Always up-to-date: Is the package actively maintained?
- Running containers: Does the package make Flatcar more relevant for container environments?
- At scale: Does the package improve automation of or telemetry served by Flatcar and/or ease operational burden?
In order to propose a new package for inclusion, open an issue using the "New Package Request" template.