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Changelog

All notable changes to Purple Computer will be documented in this file.

[2.0.0] - 2025-11-25

Major Architecture Refactor

This release introduces a complete overhaul of Purple Computer's architecture with a focus on modularity, security, and extensibility.

Added

Pack System

  • Modular Content Packs: Install emoji, definitions, modes, and sounds as .purplepack files
  • Pack Manager: Install, uninstall, and manage content packs
  • Pack Registry: Centralized registry for all pack content
  • Pack Builder Script: scripts/build_pack.py for creating packs
  • Example Packs:
    • core-emoji.purplepack - 100+ emoji with short variable names
    • education-basics.purplepack - Computer science definitions for kids

Parent Mode

  • Password-Protected Parent Mode: Secure access to system settings
  • Parent Authentication: Separate password system (not system password)
  • Parent Password Storage: SHA256 hashed with unique salt in ~/.purple/parent.json
  • First-Run Setup: Prompts to create parent password on first access
  • Password Hints: Optional password hints for recovery
  • Enhanced Menu: 9 options including updates, packs, password management

Update System

  • Update Manager: Check for and install updates over HTTPS
  • Update Feed: Fetch JSON feed listing available updates
  • Version Tracking: Track installed pack and core file versions
  • Hash Verification: SHA256 hash checking for downloaded files
  • Semantic Versioning: Proper version comparison
  • Offline Support: Updates are optional, system works fully offline

Security

  • No System Password: purple user auto-logs in with locked password
  • Parent Password Only: Separate password protects parent-only features
  • Legacy Support: kiduser account created for backwards compatibility
  • Locked Accounts: Both purple and kiduser accounts have locked passwords

Changed

User Accounts

  • Primary User: Changed from kiduser to purple
  • Auto-Login: System uses auto-login, no password prompt
  • Password Removal: Removed hardcoded system password from setup.sh
  • Backwards Compatibility: kiduser still created for existing setups

REPL Architecture

  • Registry-Based: Emoji and content loaded from pack registry
  • Pack Loading: Packs loaded at startup
  • Modular Startup: IPython startup scripts load from registry
  • Error Logging: Pack errors logged to ~/.purple/pack_errors.log

Installation

  • Updated autoinstall.yaml: No system password, pack directories created
  • Updated setup.sh: Creates purple user, no password, packs support
  • Python Dependencies: Added packaging for version comparison

Documentation

  • NEW: docs/architecture.md - Complete system architecture guide
  • NEW: docs/packs.md - Pack creation and management guide
  • NEW: docs/updates.md - Update system documentation
  • NEW: docs/parent-mode.md - Parent mode guide and security model
  • Updated: README.md - Reflects new features and architecture
  • Updated: docs/autoinstall.md - Updated password policy

Technical Details

New Modules

  • purple_repl/pack_manager.py - Pack management and registry (370 lines)
  • purple_repl/parent_auth.py - Parent authentication system (250 lines)
  • purple_repl/update_manager.py - Update fetching and installation (280 lines)
  • scripts/build_pack.py - Pack builder utility (90 lines)

Modified Files

  • purple_repl/repl.py - Added parent mode menu, pack loading, update integration
  • autoinstall/files/ipython/10-emoji.py - Load emoji from registry instead of hardcoded
  • autoinstall/files/setup.sh - Remove password, create packs directories
  • autoinstall/autoinstall.yaml - Update for new user model and password policy

Pack Format

  • .purplepack files are tar.gz archives
  • Contain manifest.json and content/ directory
  • Support types: emoji, definitions, mode, sounds, mixed
  • Manifest requires: id, name, version, type

Security Model

  • System password: NONE (account locked)
  • Parent password: Required for parent mode
  • Password storage: SHA256 + salt in ~/.purple/parent.json (600 permissions)
  • Network: Disabled by default, optional via parent mode
  • Updates: HTTPS only, SHA256 verification

Migration Notes

For existing Purple Computer installations:

  1. Run the updated setup.sh script to:

    • Create the purple user
    • Set up pack directories
    • Install new Python modules

  2. The kiduser account will continue to work (backwards compatible)

  3. Parent mode password needs to be set on first access

  4. Existing emoji will continue to work via fallback in 10-emoji.py

For fresh installations:

  • System uses purple user by default
  • No password required (auto-login)
  • Parent password set on first parent mode access
  • Core packs can be pre-installed

Breaking Changes

  • System username changed from kiduser to purple (with backwards compatibility)
  • Hardcoded emoji in 10-emoji.py replaced with registry-based loading
  • Parent mode now requires password authentication
  • Update feeds expected at https://purplecomputer.org/updates/feed.json (customizable)

Deprecations

  • Direct emoji hardcoding in startup files (use packs instead)
  • Hardcoded system passwords (use parent password only)

Known Issues

  • Ctrl+Alt+P hotkey not yet implemented (use Ctrl+C for now)
  • Pack dependencies not yet supported
  • Automatic update checking not implemented
  • No GUI pack installer (command-line only)

Future Enhancements

See docs/architecture.md for planned features including:

  • Actual Ctrl+Alt+P hotkey implementation
  • Multiple update feeds
  • Pack dependency resolution
  • Visual pack browser
  • Session recording
  • Time limits and parental controls

[1.0.0] - 2025-11-25

Initial Release

  • Basic IPython REPL environment
  • Hardcoded emoji variables
  • Speech modes
  • Big letter mode
  • Auto-login with hardcoded password
  • Basic parent escape menu
  • Ubuntu autoinstall configuration
  • X11 + Kitty terminal setup

For upgrade instructions, see docs/updates.md