# Helpers and what they do

| Helper | Purpose | How it is used |
|---|---|---|
| `install` | Opens the verified prebuilt chooser with a Go source fallback, or forwards CLI options to the Python backend | Main entry point |
| `lib/launcher.py` | Verifies frontend/binary fingerprints and extracts/caches the bundled TUI | Called by the entry point |
| `lib/rice.py` | Validates selections, previews plans, restores configs and installs Portage packages | Called by the entry point/TUI |
| `lib/device_presets.py` | Saves and lists named local device selections with overwrite prompts | TUI named preset action or backend commands |
| `lib/setup.py` | Stages missing overlays, installs selected user Flatpaks and enables selected service units | Called by the backend |
| `lib/boot.py` | Detects the target ESP/root, previews/deploys Limine or GRUB, refreshes kernel menus | Boot action; copied as `fiw-dots-boot` on deployment |
| `lib/backups.py` | Lists and previews user config backups, restores selected files and backs up their current versions | TUI backup action or backend commands |
| `lib/proposals.py` | Lists pending config changes, previews diffs and accepts individual proposals after checking for newer edits | TUI pending updates action or backend commands |
| `lib/reporting.py` | Correlates root/user steps, failures, skips and manual setup into one local summary | Runs after TUI apply actions; `--summary` for CLI use |
| `fiw-shot` | Captures a region or monitor using Spectacle, copies it to the clipboard and offers Save/Edit through a notification | Installed with KDE shortcuts; `region` or `screen` argument |
| `tools/capture.py` | Recaptures selected configs or the explicit preference allowlist without copying full personal profiles | `--config` selects individual configs; review the diff |
| `tools/shortcuts.py` | Regenerates the readable shortcut reference from captured repo files | Run after changing/capturing shortcuts |
| `tools/check-private.py` | Scans publishable files for personal paths, identifiers and credentials; keeps fingerprinted upstream attribution | Run before committing |
| `tools/audit-packages.py` | Compares explicit world/selected sets with main/optional package lists and documented helper exceptions | Read-only package audit |
| `tools/build-release.py` | Builds the generic static amd64 TUI bundle, fingerprints and dependency licence notices | Maintainer command before tagging snapshots |
| `tools/ci/check.py` | Checks privacy, bundle/theme fingerprints and portable Python/Go behaviour | Forgejo and GitHub CI; can also run locally |
| `tools/ci/mirror.py` | Copies Forgejo branches/tags to GitHub with a repository deploy key | Forgejo CI after checks; explicit manual sync supported |
| `optional/fiw-cachy-patch` | Downloads matching vanilla/CachyOS kernel sources, generates a patch and adjusts the installed guard/name config | Explicit manual root operation; not part of ordinary restoration |
| `optional/fiw-limine-splice` | Replaces the old Gentoo snippet block in an existing Limine menu and orders its entries | Explicit manual use with an ESP argument; specific to the earlier snippet design |
| `optional/spotify/spotify-patch` | Runs the retained SpotX/Spicetify customization workflow for the Gentoo Spotify client | Explicit optional user operation; stock Spotify is the default |
| `optional/spotify/spicetify-snapshotfix` | Copies missing Marketplace fragments into the captured Spotify UI snapshot format | Called by the optional customization workflow |

The kernel refresh helper installed on a target runs with `--refresh`. Its
kernel hooks are created only when boot deployment is explicitly confirmed;
they are not enabled by the default `keep` choice.

The older Cachy patch helper predates the snapshot guard shipped by this
repo. It does not update the repo's `snapshot.json`, checksum or version mask;
review/update those together when preparing a new supported kernel snapshot.
It is retained as a reference, not run automatically.

For the optional Spotify scripts, see [the setup and risk note](spotify.md).
Unofficial Spotify modifications are optional and used at your own risk.
This project does not endorse bypassing paid features.