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Add Module layout specification
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This document describes all files/directories that are allowed or
mandatory within a module. The forge can use it as an allowlist and
filter other files out. r10k/code-manager can use it as an allowlist as
well when modules are pulled from version controll systems like github
(similar to the `--exclude-spec` option in r10k).
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bastelfreak committed Oct 31, 2023
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# Puppet Module Schema

This document describes allowed (optional) and required files and directories in
a Puppet Module Release.

## What is a Puppet Module

A module in the sense of this document is a compressed tar archive. It is
usually distributed via [forge.puppet.com](https://forge.puppet.com/). A module
is usually developed in a git repository. Some files in the git repository are
only used for development and testing. They should not be released.

Common files often seen in a vcs repository that are used for development but
shall not be released:

`/spec`, `/Rakefile`, `/Gemfile`, `/.gitignore`, `/.github/`, `/.devcontainer`, `/Dockerfile`

Note that above are just examples and not a complete list. The goal of this
document is to provide an allowlist (*for a module release, not a VCS repo*),
not a denylist.

The official
[Puppet documentation](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/modules_fundamentals.html)
already explains what a module is and what it can contain.

| Directories and Files | Purpose |
|-----------------------|---------|
| `/manifests/` | contains Puppet code |
| `hiera.yaml` | Can define a Hiera configuration for Hiera data within this module |
| `/data/` | If the module has a `hiera.yaml`, the related data has to be within `/data/` |
| `/templates/` | Stores [epp](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/lang_template_epp.html) (preferred) or [erb](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/lang_template_erb.html) templates |
| `/files/` | Static files that Puppet code within the module will distribute |
| `/examples/` | Example Puppet snippets that explain how to use the module. They can be used within acceptance tests |
| `/facts.d/` | [External facts](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/external_facts.html) that are synced via [pluginsync](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/plugins_in_modules.html) |
| `/lib/facter/` | Contains custom facts |
| `/lib/puppet/type/` | Custom types |
| `/lib/puppet/provider/` | Custom provider for one or multiple types |
| `/lib/puppet/functions/` | Modern functions in Ruby for the new API |
| `/lib/puppet/parser/functions/` | Legacy functions in Ruby |
| `/lib/puppet_x/` | Custom Ruby modules to extend types, providers, functions or facts |
| `/lib/augeas/lenses/` | Custom [Augeas](https://augeas.net/) lenses |
| `/functions/` | Can contain [functions written in Puppet DSL](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/lang_write_functions_in_puppet.html) |
| `/metadata.json` | Metadata file that describes the module based on [a schema](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/modules_metadata.html) |
| `/README` | A README that describes what the module does. It's best practice to add a file extension like `.md`, `.rst` when a markup language is used |
| `/LICENSE` | `/metadata.json` specifies a license. The license text needs to be distributed in a LICENSE file. It can have a suffix if a markup language is used |
| `/CHANGELOG` | A Changelog that's updated for every release. A new release should not alter existing changelog entries. It can have a suffix if a markup language is used |
| `/docs/` | Directory for additional documentation |
| `/REFERENCE.md` | [puppet-strings](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/puppet_strings.html) based documentation in markdown, updated on each release |
| `/locales/` | Used for i18n support, can contain translated strings |
| `/scripts/` | Distribute a script for bolt?? |
| `/tasks/` | Contains [Tasks for Bolt](https://www.puppet.com/docs/bolt/latest/tasks.html) |
| `/plans/` | Contains [Plans for Bolt](https://www.puppet.com/docs/bolt/latest/plans) |
| `/types/` | Contains [type aliases](https://www.puppet.com/docs/puppet/latest/lang_type_aliases.html) |
| `/bolt_plugin.json` | The file can contain metadata about [a Bolt plugin](https://www.puppet.com/docs/bolt/latest/writing_plugins.html#module-structure) |

Mandatory are:
* `/metadata.json`
* `/README`
* `/LICENSE`
* `/CHANGELOG`

In the past, modules sometines contained a `/Modulefile`. It contained metadata
about the module. The `/metadata.json` is the successor. A module can now only
have a `/metadata.json`. It must not have a `/Modulefile`.

The `/REFERENCE.md` file is optional. It's generated by puppet-strings. Some
modules might use a different tool for documentation (and then cannot generate
a `REFERENCE.md`). If a `/REFERENCE.md` is present in the release, it has to be
up to date.

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