---
title: "We released a thing: st-1.0.0"
date: 2024-05-12
---
# We released a thing: st-1.0.0
_Rasmus Dahlberg, 2024-05-12._

On Thursday this week, the [System Transparency project][] announced
[st-1.0.0][].  It is a collection of stable, tested, and documented components
the project supports:

  - [stboot][]: a bootloader that boots an operating system such as Debian 12.
    One of the main features is network booting while enforcing m-of-n valid
    signatures.
  - [stprov][]: a provisioning tool that helps operators configure their
    platforms for System Transparency booting.  For example, a network
    configuration and URLs for downloading the operating system can be
    provisioned with few keystrokes.
  - [stmgr][]: a tool that helps with formatting and signing of various images.
    For example, the bootloader can be prepared for writing onto a USB stick.
  - [docs][]: documentation meant for users and developers.  Here you can find
    getting started guides, reference documentation, and other useful content.

[System Transparency project]: https://www.system-transparency.org/
[st-1.0.0]: https://lists.system-transparency.org/mailman3/hyperkitty/list/st-announce@lists.system-transparency.org/thread/XAFMM554TUTDAWCCLWFPGTHTJTSWNLCI/
[stboot]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/reference/stboot-system/
[stprov]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/reference/stprov-system/
[stmgr]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/reference/stmgr-manual/
[operating system package]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/reference/os_package/
[docs]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/

I'm unreasonably happy to have this release out the door.  Not because System
Transparency is now done---it is far from done.  I am happy because this makes
it a lot easier for us to iterate forward from a known state.  For example, we
are finally in a position where it is possible to be intentional about what is
(not) going to break.  What changed in order to make this happen?  I'd say three
things:

  1. The different _interfaces_ that may break on changes have been enumerated
     and specified as reference documentation that our components implement.
  2. The test coverage of each component has been increased significantly, both
     with unit tests, QEMU, and processes for testing on a Supermicro X11SCL-F.
  3. We committed to have a [semantically versioned][] collection of components
     that work together.  The [st-1.0.0][] collection is supported for at least
     one year.

[semantically versioned]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/releases/collection-release/#semantic-versioning

This concludes the first priority that Linus Nordberg, Niels Möller, and I set
out to achieve on [January 15, 2024][].  What happens next will probably be
hashed out in [this proposal][] sometime soon.  Overall, I'd say the priorities
laid out in January still remain reasonable.  The main open question is which
larger features to bring in and when the timing for them is right.  Other than
considering the readiness of the various candidate features, we're also
splitting our time with the [Sigsum project][].  So, if we spend more time on
System Transparency we're spending less time on Sigsum.  Until July, we're
picking up the pace in Sigsum.

[January 15, 2024]: https://git.glasklar.is/system-transparency/project/documentation/-/blob/main/archive/2024-01-15-notes-on-near-term-focus.md
[this proposal]: https://git.glasklar.is/system-transparency/project/documentation/-/merge_requests/57
[Sigsum project]: https://www.sigsum.org/

On a personal note, I'd be pretty excited to someday have a bootloader that
enforces transparency logging with Sigsum.  I'd also like to experiment with an
immutable build of a reproducible [operating system package][], such that I can
meaningfully monitor exactly what is allowed to boot on my system.  I think the
first step for me personally is to get better at the whole immutable builds
thing though.  High up on my TODO list is to run System Transparency on
something I care about myself, then gradually making the deployment more
immutable.  The good news is there is now a [build guide][] and a stable
[st-1.0.0][] release to start from.

[build guide]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/introduction/build/
[operating system package]: https://docs.system-transparency.org/st-1.0.0/docs/reference/os_package/

Want to discuss System Transparency or the release further? Join the project's
[Matrix room][], which is bridged with `#system-transparency` on [OFTC.net][]
(IRC).

[Matrix room]: https://matrix.to/#/#system-transparency:matrix.org
[OFTC.net]: https://www.oftc.net/