Overview

8xy Installer is meant to be the central software distribution client for applications developed by 8xy. Instead of a separate installer for every application, users install the 8xy Installer once — afterwards, every supported 8xy application can be installed, updated, repaired and removed through the same tool.

example

8xy install drkchrm

The Installer asks the 8xy API what drkchrm is, resolves the latest compatible release for the current platform, and handles the rest.

Why it exists

Traditional software distribution means one installer per application. The 8xy ecosystem instead routes every application through one general-purpose client, talking to one central API:

                 8xy API
                    │
      ┌─────────────┼─────────────┐
      │             │             │
   DrkChrm        Soates       Future Apps
      │             │             │
      └─────────────┼─────────────┘
                    │
              8xy Installer
                    │
                 User PC

Goals

One universal installation system for all 8xy software
CLI-based software management with a Fastfetch-inspired graphical interface
Automatic resolution of the latest compatible release per platform
Install, update, repair and remove — all through the same core
Cryptographic package verification (hash + signature)
A lightweight, fast client that stays out of the way
An architecture extensible to future 8xy projects

Design philosophy

Five principles guide the project: minimal — no setup-wizard bloat, only useful information; technical — version, platform, channel and verification status stay visible; centralized — the 8xy API is the single source of truth for metadata and releases; fast — quick to start, light on resources, no Electron unless there's a compelling reason; and recognizable — every 8xy application installs through the same experience.

The CLI

8xy --help

8xy install drkchrm
Install an application

8xy update --all
Update every installed 8xy application

8xy repair drkchrm
Restore missing or corrupted files

8xy uninstall drkchrm
Remove an application and its managed files

8xy search
Browse the 8xy software repository

8xy info drkchrm
Show detailed application information

Security

The Installer is designed to never blindly execute a downloaded package. The planned flow is: download → calculate hash → compare against the expected hash → verify the publisher's signature → install.

install.log

[ OK ] Package downloaded
[ OK ] SHA-256 verified
[ OK ] Publisher signature verified
[ OK ] Publisher: 8xy
[ OK ] Package trusted

Technical direction

The Installer is intended to be built with a lightweight native technology rather than Electron. Rust is the leading candidate under consideration, for its strengths in networking, cryptography, process management and small standalone binaries — the final choice will be settled during the prototype phase.

Development roadmap

The plan moves through six phases: an Installer Core with a basic CLI and local package installation; 8xy API integration for remote resolution and downloads; security (hash and signature verification); an update system, including update --all and installer self-updates; a Fastfetch-inspired GUI; and finally ecosystem features like search, discovery and rollback.

Install 8xy Installer once. Everything else comes through 8xy.