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Development Build Locally Notes
This is a WIP document to help build RetroDECK locally. It is based on notes taken while adding the Ruffle(Flash Emulator) to the RetroDECK project.
Overview
RetroDECK is a big project in terms of scope and build size! The build process creates a 1.6GB flatpak file and the build folder is about 23GB. It takes about 3 hours to build on an 8 core PC.
This document was initially based on adding a new function to RetroDECK as part of the build process. The person that wrote this as a hobbyist coder/developer, decided that it was better to cover just building RetroDECK before moving onto to adding/changing RetroDECK.
Adding to and changing the RetroDECK flatpak manifest will be covered in another wiki article.
It would also be worth running RetroDECK in debug mode to get familiar with how the /apps folder and other read only and full access areas of the flatpak work on your device. A list of the folders and file paths used by RetroDECK can be found here.
Note that you can run most applications in the app folder that have been built via flatpak.
Project Resources
In order to save project resources. Please try and use a self-hosted runner to test your build process.
Please do not forget that RetroDECK is a volunteer based open source project. If you would like to support the build environment that is provided as part of the project. Then please consider making a donation to the RetroDECk project or other projects involved.
Build Process
The build process is intensive and time consuming. About three hours on a machine with 8 cores.
From time to time to it can appear to lockup up your device especially during the build process.
Download/Clone RetroDeck
Clone the repository. The --recursive option is used to ensure the RetroDECK sub modules are download(ie Emulators from other projects). The only element that is not downloaded for changing/editing is the RetroDECK fork of ES-DE. That should only be needed if you wish to add a new emulator via ES-DE.
git clone --recursive https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK
If you missed doing a recursive download then can also use the command below. The command is also initiated as part of the build process.
git submodule update --init --recursive
Then use git checkout cooker-x.x.xx to select the latest cooker branch. Tab complete should help select the version to download
You can also create your own branch with
git checkout -b branchname
Build locally via bash script
Although it possible to build via this method. Option 2 is more reliable and has more options for tracking and restarting the build if required.
Looking at the local build process is good to look at how the build process works. This helps understand the self-hosted runner option.
developer_toolbox/build_retrodeck_locally.sh
Have a look at what the script does first and look at the corresponding automation_tools/ folder that the script above references for the build
The build will take about 3 hours on an eight core pc/laptop.
Creates this folder when building locally RetroDECK/.flatpak-builder/
Produces RetroDECK-cooker.flatpak in the RetroDeck folder.
The flatpak build file can be installed/updated following this guide.
Build locally installed github runner
This section covers installing and using self-hosted github runners.
Github actions and runners
Github actions allow automated build to be created that are built via a self-hosted or hosted runner. The RetroDECK project uses self-hosted runners that can be installed on a cloud machine or a local machine.
- Advantages can Monitor, log, debug, cancel and restart. Via github app or a browser.
- Greater stability for build process.
The RetroDECK project has created this Github action. You should have a cloned version of this workflow file. This file is used for cooker builds and manual builds. If you build against a cooker build it should auto build when you push your changes to your own repo
Link to an actual cooker build.
Link to full log off the build.
The image below shows that the build is complete and that an artifact file has been created that can be downloaded for testing. The Action also creates a local flatpak build file.
actions-runner/_work/RetroDECK/RetroDECK/RetroDECK-cooker.flatpak
Install self-hosted github runner
Add a self-hosted runner to a repository.
Setup runner to run as a service(optional)
Create the self-hosted runner as a service.
If using your own branch it can create an issue with the build process. Please refer to the RetroDECK Manifest section
On starting the build process via the runner it will create the following folder in the location you installed the self-hosted runner.
actions-runner/_work/RetroDECK/RetroDECK/
On completing the build you can use the locally produced file or download/share the artifact file produced by the self-hosted runner.
actions-runner/_work/RetroDECK/RetroDECK/RetroDECK-cooker.flatpak
RetroDECK flatpak manifest
This may get moved to a github issue.
Need branch that matches origin and remote hence not use Xargon Check SHA placeholders
When a build is started locally it overwrites to yml as part of build with populated sha value and branch. Somme of the modules pulled in change daily and given the long build time. Then a mismatch can occur. Mismatch also caused by pull in from another repo.
Pulling from remote repo causes issues with SHA values being different and an unmatched branch error as that branch does not exists on Xargon
Show reference to pulling in Xargon version of yml as part of the build.
SHA reference issues if doing this.
Need SHA pointers not values
Need to update net.retrodeck.retrodeck.yml to point at your own repo.
line 95 ish sources: - type: git url: https://github.com/monkeyx-net/RetroDECK.git
bottom
sources:
- type: git
url: https://github.com/monkeyx-net/RetroDECK.git
net.retrodeck.retrodeck.yml
The manifest file is what builds the application after downloads all the relevant modules and dependencies. See the Flatpak manifest guide here
FAQ
Crash during local sh build?
- Stay Calm!
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes and see if device starts responding again.
- Restart the PC/laptop.
- re run command below it should hopefully continue from the last good build action.
developer_toolbox/build_retrodeck_locally.sh
Crash during local github runner build?
- Stay Calm!
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes and see if device starts responding again.
- Restart the PC/laptop.
- make sure runner started and then re run the failed Github action