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freenas-proxmox/.claude/cos/adrs/ADR-002-ui-strategy.md

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ADR-002: UI Integration Strategy

Date: 2026-05-15
Status: Under Discussion
Deciders: Kevin Adams

Context

The plugin currently adds a UI by patching pvemanagerlib.js, the monolithic JavaScript bundle that is Proxmox VE's entire web UI. A separate versioned patch file must be maintained for each Proxmox VE minor release. When PVE updates, the patch breaks.

The desired end state is a UI that:

  • Doesn't break on every PVE update
  • Ideally doesn't require patching PVE system files
  • Shows appropriate fields for TrueNAS API credentials

Options Evaluated

Option A — Continue Patching pvemanagerlib.js (Status Quo)

The current approach. Diff the upstream PVE JS, produce a patch per PVE version.

  • Pro: Works in all PVE versions, field placement is ideal
  • Con: Breaks on every PVE minor release; versioned patch sprawl is visible in the repo already (stable-5 through stable-8 folders)
  • Verdict: Manageable with better automation (auto-detect PVE version in postinst and select the right patch)

Option B — Serve a Separate JS File via pveproxy

Proxmox VE's pveproxy serves everything from /usr/share/pve-manager/. The HTML template (/usr/share/pve-manager/index.html.tpl) explicitly lists which JS files to load. A new file could be injected either by: (a) Patching index.html.tpl to add a <script> tag — still a patch (b) Discovering if pveproxy supports a "extras" JS directory — not documented, needs investigation

If pveproxy or its Perl handler exposes a hook point, a standalone truenas-plugin.js could be dropped in without touching pvemanagerlib.js. The JS would use Ext.override() to modify existing components.

  • Pro: Single JS file, not tied to PVE version; installs cleanly
  • Con: Ext.override is fragile when component internals change; still requires some PVE integration point
  • Verdict: Worth investigating for PVE 8.x

Option C — Full Custom Storage Plugin (PVE::Storage::Custom)

Register a brand-new storage type (e.g., truenas) rather than wedging into ZFS-over-iSCSI. Proxmox VE discovers PVE::Storage::Custom::* plugins at runtime via Module::Load. The UI in PVE 8.x automatically generates a form panel from the plugin's properties() definition.

The file perl5/PVE/Storage/Custom/FreeNAS.pm is an unfinished attempt at this. It registers package PVE::Storage::Custom::TrueNASPlugin with type => 'truenas'.

  • Pro: No JS patching needed; plugin-managed UI; proper separation
  • Con: Requires implementing the full PVE::Storage::Plugin API (alloc_image, free_image, list_images, status, etc.) which is significantly more work. Also, ZFS pool listing still uses SSH via ZFSPoolPlugin.pm which is outside our scope.
  • Verdict: Best long-term architecture, but highest implementation effort. The existing Custom/FreeNAS.pm gives a starting point.

Option D — Hybrid: Fix Patch Automation Now, Plan for Option C Later

  1. Now: Fix postinst to select the correct patch for the installed PVE version automatically (no more per-version patch files in the repo — derive them at build time or select at install time)
  2. Later: Complete PVE::Storage::Custom::TrueNASPlugin as a proper plugin when bandwidth allows

Decision

Decided 2026-05-15: Option C — Full PVE::Storage::Custom Plugin (v3.x target)

Kevin confirmed this is the goal. The existing perl5/PVE/Storage/Custom/FreeNAS.pm is the starting point; it needs the duplicate subs fixed and the full PVE::Storage::Plugin interface implemented.

Benefits realized:

  • Zero JS patching — PVE auto-generates UI from properties()
  • Zero ZFSPlugin.pm patching — new type, not wedged into existing
  • Zero apidoc.js patching — auto-documented
  • Can eliminate SSH requirement — pool stats via TrueNAS API v2.0
  • postinst becomes trivial: just copy two .pm files, restart services

What the Custom plugin still needs iscsiadm for (unavoidable, runs on Proxmox host):

  • iSCSI login/logout (activate_volume / deactivate_volume)
  • Device discovery after login (/dev/disk/by-path/ or multipath)

Migration path from v2.x → v3.x:

  • v2.x packages remain installable (they keep the ZFSPlugin.pm patch approach)
  • v3.x introduces type => 'truenas' storage; users create a new storage and migrate VMs
  • v3.x postinst can detect old freenas-provider storages and warn the user

Open Questions Resolved

  • PVE 8.x Custom:: plugins DO auto-generate UI forms from properties()
  • Kevin has a lab PVE 8.x node available for testing