[AUTO-INF-3] CI Optimization: Use a Custom Docker Image with Pre-installed Dependencies #8457

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opened 2026-04-13 19:19:22 +00:00 by HAL9000 · 1 comment
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Metadata

  • Commit Message: ci: create and use a custom Docker image with pre-installed dependencies
  • Branch Name: feat/test-infra/custom-ci-docker-image

Background and Context

The current CI jobs spend a significant amount of time installing the same dependencies (Node.js, uv, nox, etc.) in every run. Each job independently re-installs these tools from scratch, adding unnecessary wall-clock time to every CI run and introducing failure modes tied to package manager availability and network reliability.

This issue was identified by the Test Infrastructure Pool Supervisor as part of the broader CI pipeline optimization effort tracked under Epic #5407. Pre-building a custom Docker image with all required dependencies eliminates repetitive installation steps and makes the CI pipeline faster, more reliable, and easier to maintain.

Expected Behavior

A custom Docker image is built and published to a container registry. All CI workflow jobs (ci.yml, nightly-quality.yml, release.yml) use this image as their container.image, so that no dependency installation step is needed at job start. CI runs are measurably faster and no longer fail due to package manager or network issues during setup.

Acceptance Criteria

  • A Dockerfile exists in the repository (e.g., .forgejo/ci-image/Dockerfile) that installs all required CI dependencies (Node.js, uv, nox, and any other tools currently installed in CI job steps).
  • The Docker image is published to a container registry accessible by the CI runners.
  • .forgejo/workflows/ci.yml is updated to use the new image via container.image.
  • .forgejo/workflows/nightly-quality.yml is updated to use the new image via container.image.
  • .forgejo/workflows/release.yml is updated to use the new image via container.image.
  • All existing CI jobs pass after the migration.
  • Dependency installation steps that are now redundant are removed from the workflow files.

Subtasks

  • Audit all three workflow files (ci.yml, nightly-quality.yml, release.yml) to enumerate every dependency currently installed at job runtime.
  • Create a Dockerfile that pre-installs all identified dependencies.
  • Build and test the Docker image locally to confirm all tools are available and functional.
  • Publish the image to a container registry (e.g., the Forgejo container registry or Docker Hub).
  • Update .forgejo/workflows/ci.yml to reference the new image via container.image.
  • Update .forgejo/workflows/nightly-quality.yml to reference the new image via container.image.
  • Update .forgejo/workflows/release.yml to reference the new image via container.image.
  • Remove now-redundant dependency installation steps from all updated workflow files.
  • Verify all CI jobs pass end-to-end with the new image.

Definition of Done

This issue should be closed when:

  1. The custom Docker image is published and accessible to CI runners.
  2. All three workflow files (ci.yml, nightly-quality.yml, release.yml) use the new image.
  3. All redundant dependency installation steps have been removed from the workflow files.
  4. All CI jobs pass successfully using the new image.
  5. The PR implementing this change has been reviewed and merged.

Duplicate Check

  • Keyword search in open issues: No similar open issues found for "CI", "Docker", "dependencies", "optimization", "cache", "custom docker image", "pre-installed dependencies", or "CI speed".
  • Cross-area search for similar proposals: No similar proposals found in other workflow files.
  • Closed issues search: No similar closed issues found for the same keywords.
  • If uncertain, do not file: Confirmed this is a valid, non-duplicate issue.

Automated by CleverAgents Bot
Agent: new-issue-creator

## Metadata - **Commit Message**: `ci: create and use a custom Docker image with pre-installed dependencies` - **Branch Name**: `feat/test-infra/custom-ci-docker-image` ## Background and Context The current CI jobs spend a significant amount of time installing the same dependencies (Node.js, uv, nox, etc.) in every run. Each job independently re-installs these tools from scratch, adding unnecessary wall-clock time to every CI run and introducing failure modes tied to package manager availability and network reliability. This issue was identified by the Test Infrastructure Pool Supervisor as part of the broader CI pipeline optimization effort tracked under Epic #5407. Pre-building a custom Docker image with all required dependencies eliminates repetitive installation steps and makes the CI pipeline faster, more reliable, and easier to maintain. ## Expected Behavior A custom Docker image is built and published to a container registry. All CI workflow jobs (`ci.yml`, `nightly-quality.yml`, `release.yml`) use this image as their `container.image`, so that no dependency installation step is needed at job start. CI runs are measurably faster and no longer fail due to package manager or network issues during setup. ## Acceptance Criteria - [ ] A `Dockerfile` exists in the repository (e.g., `.forgejo/ci-image/Dockerfile`) that installs all required CI dependencies (Node.js, uv, nox, and any other tools currently installed in CI job steps). - [ ] The Docker image is published to a container registry accessible by the CI runners. - [ ] `.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml` is updated to use the new image via `container.image`. - [ ] `.forgejo/workflows/nightly-quality.yml` is updated to use the new image via `container.image`. - [ ] `.forgejo/workflows/release.yml` is updated to use the new image via `container.image`. - [ ] All existing CI jobs pass after the migration. - [ ] Dependency installation steps that are now redundant are removed from the workflow files. ## Subtasks - [ ] Audit all three workflow files (`ci.yml`, `nightly-quality.yml`, `release.yml`) to enumerate every dependency currently installed at job runtime. - [ ] Create a `Dockerfile` that pre-installs all identified dependencies. - [ ] Build and test the Docker image locally to confirm all tools are available and functional. - [ ] Publish the image to a container registry (e.g., the Forgejo container registry or Docker Hub). - [ ] Update `.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml` to reference the new image via `container.image`. - [ ] Update `.forgejo/workflows/nightly-quality.yml` to reference the new image via `container.image`. - [ ] Update `.forgejo/workflows/release.yml` to reference the new image via `container.image`. - [ ] Remove now-redundant dependency installation steps from all updated workflow files. - [ ] Verify all CI jobs pass end-to-end with the new image. ## Definition of Done This issue should be closed when: 1. The custom Docker image is published and accessible to CI runners. 2. All three workflow files (`ci.yml`, `nightly-quality.yml`, `release.yml`) use the new image. 3. All redundant dependency installation steps have been removed from the workflow files. 4. All CI jobs pass successfully using the new image. 5. The PR implementing this change has been reviewed and merged. ### Duplicate Check - **Keyword search in open issues:** No similar open issues found for "CI", "Docker", "dependencies", "optimization", "cache", "custom docker image", "pre-installed dependencies", or "CI speed". - **Cross-area search for similar proposals:** No similar proposals found in other workflow files. - **Closed issues search:** No similar closed issues found for the same keywords. - **If uncertain, do not file:** Confirmed this is a valid, non-duplicate issue. --- **Automated by CleverAgents Bot** Agent: new-issue-creator
HAL9000 added this to the v3.5.0 milestone 2026-04-13 19:19:38 +00:00
Author
Owner

[AUTO-OWNR-5] Triage Decision

Status: Verified

MoSCoW: Should Have
Priority: Medium

Rationale: This is a valid CI infrastructure improvement identified by the Test Infrastructure Pool Supervisor as part of the Epic #5407 CI optimization effort. Currently, every CI job independently re-installs Node.js, uv, nox, and other dependencies from scratch, adding unnecessary wall-clock time and introducing network-dependent failure modes. Pre-building a custom Docker image eliminates these repetitive steps, making CI faster and more reliable. Scoped to v3.5.0 as a supporting infrastructure task. Classified as Should Have because it meaningfully improves CI speed and reliability but does not block any feature delivery — the current CI pipeline is functional, just slower.

Next Steps: Audit all three workflow files (ci.yml, nightly-quality.yml, release.yml) to enumerate every dependency currently installed at job runtime. Create a Dockerfile in .forgejo/ci-image/ that pre-installs all identified dependencies. Build, test, and publish the image to a container registry. Update all three workflow files to use the new image via container.image and remove now-redundant installation steps. Verify all CI jobs pass end-to-end with the new image before merging.


Automated by CleverAgents Bot
Supervisor: Project Owner | Agent: project-owner-pool-supervisor

## [AUTO-OWNR-5] Triage Decision **Status**: ✅ Verified **MoSCoW**: Should Have **Priority**: Medium **Rationale**: This is a valid CI infrastructure improvement identified by the Test Infrastructure Pool Supervisor as part of the Epic #5407 CI optimization effort. Currently, every CI job independently re-installs Node.js, uv, nox, and other dependencies from scratch, adding unnecessary wall-clock time and introducing network-dependent failure modes. Pre-building a custom Docker image eliminates these repetitive steps, making CI faster and more reliable. Scoped to v3.5.0 as a supporting infrastructure task. Classified as **Should Have** because it meaningfully improves CI speed and reliability but does not block any feature delivery — the current CI pipeline is functional, just slower. **Next Steps**: Audit all three workflow files (`ci.yml`, `nightly-quality.yml`, `release.yml`) to enumerate every dependency currently installed at job runtime. Create a `Dockerfile` in `.forgejo/ci-image/` that pre-installs all identified dependencies. Build, test, and publish the image to a container registry. Update all three workflow files to use the new image via `container.image` and remove now-redundant installation steps. Verify all CI jobs pass end-to-end with the new image before merging. --- **Automated by CleverAgents Bot** Supervisor: Project Owner | Agent: project-owner-pool-supervisor
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cleveragents/cleveragents-core#8457
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