Patch management#
Patches apply in alphabetical filename order. Numbers in filenames control application order.
Lifecycle#
Add patch → Upstream-Status header → track upstream PR →
upstream merges → junction bump includes fix → drop patch
Every patch is maintenance debt. Drop as soon as it's upstream.
Junction bumps#
When bumping a junction: verify every patch in the relevant patches/ directory still applies; update or drop any that target a ref: no longer in the new junction. Kernel patches (patches/linux/) apply against kernel source — verify against the new kernel version too.
Required header#
Every patch must have an Upstream-Status: header:
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
Submitted | PR or MR opened upstream |
Accepted | Upstream merged, waiting for junction bump |
Pending | Not yet submitted |
Not-applicable | Dakota-specific, will never go upstream |
Include upstream commit or PR link when backporting.
Exit conditions#
Document the exit condition in the patch header:
# Exit: Drop when fdsdk bumps to X.Y
# Exit: Drop after GBM gnome-50 reaches commit abc123
