# Bread Documentation ## Contents - [Overview](#overview) - [Getting started](#getting-started) - [Your first module](#your-first-module) - [Run, reload, and watch](#run-reload-and-watch) - [Modules: install and manage](#modules-install-and-manage) - [Sync: snapshot and restore](#sync-snapshot-and-restore) - [Debugging tips](#debugging-tips) - [Dictionary: Lua API](#dictionary-lua-api) - [Dictionary: Built-in modules](#dictionary-built-in-modules) - [Dictionary: Event reference](#dictionary-event-reference) - [Dictionary: Runtime state schema](#dictionary-runtime-state-schema) - [Dictionary: IPC protocol](#dictionary-ipc-protocol) ## Overview Bread is a reactive automation fabric for Linux desktops. The daemon (`breadd`) normalizes external signals into semantic events, maintains runtime state, and dispatches events to Lua modules that implement automation. - **Daemon** (`breadd`) — long-running Rust process; source of truth for runtime state - **Lua runtime** — dedicated thread inside the daemon; automation logic lives here - **CLI** (`bread`) — talks to the daemon over a Unix socket If you are new to Bread, start with the quick walkthrough below, then jump to the full dictionary when you need exact API details. ## Getting started ### 1) Create a minimal config - Daemon config: `~/.config/bread/breadd.toml` (all values optional) - Lua entry point: `~/.config/bread/init.lua` - Lua modules: `~/.config/bread/modules/` ### 2) Minimal `init.lua` ```lua bread.on("bread.system.startup", function(event) bread.profile.activate("default") bread.log("bread started on " .. bread.machine.name()) end) ``` ### 3) Start the daemon ```bash systemctl --user start breadd # Or directly: breadd ``` ### 4) Check that it's running ```bash bread ping bread doctor ``` ## Your first module Create a file at `~/.config/bread/modules/hello.lua`. It is discovered and loaded automatically after `init.lua`. ```lua local M = bread.module({ name = "hello", version = "0.1.0" }) function M.on_load() bread.log("hello from bread on " .. bread.machine.name()) bread.on("bread.device.*", function(event) bread.log("device event: " .. event.event) end) end return M ``` Key rules: - Every module must call `bread.module` exactly once at the top level. - Register subscriptions inside `M.on_load` so they are cleaned up properly on hot reload. - Use `bread.log` early to verify handlers are firing. ## Run, reload, and watch ```bash # Hot-reload the Lua runtime after editing config bread reload # Watch for file changes and reload automatically bread reload --watch ``` If any module fails to load, `bread reload` prints the error with a full Lua stack trace. The daemon stays running — fix the file and reload again. ## Modules: install and manage Modules are Lua packages installed to `~/.config/bread/modules/`. The CLI manages the install lifecycle. ```bash # Install from GitHub (downloads and extracts the default branch tarball) bread modules install github:someuser/bread-wifi # Install from a local directory bread modules install ~/src/my-module # Install a specific ref bread modules install github:someuser/bread-wifi@v1.2.0 # List installed modules and their daemon status bread modules list # Show full manifest for one module bread modules info bread-wifi # Re-install all GitHub-sourced modules (pick up upstream changes) bread modules update # Remove a module bread modules remove bread-wifi bread modules remove bread-wifi --yes # skip confirmation ``` Each installed module has a `bread.module.toml` manifest: ```toml name = "wifi" version = "1.0.0" description = "WiFi management for Bread" author = "someuser" source = "github:someuser/bread-wifi" installed_at = "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z" ``` ## Sync: snapshot and restore Bread sync snapshots your Bread config, arbitrary dotfiles, and installed package lists into a Git repository. Pull it on another machine to restore state. ```bash # First-time setup bread sync init --remote git@github.com:you/bread-config.git # Snapshot and push bread sync push # On another machine: pull and apply bread sync pull # Also reinstall packages from snapshot bread sync pull --install-packages # See what has changed bread sync status bread sync diff bread sync diff --remote # List known machines bread sync machines ``` Configure sync in `~/.config/bread/sync.toml`: ```toml [remote] url = "git@github.com:you/bread-config.git" branch = "main" [machine] name = "hermes" tags = ["laptop", "battery"] [packages] enabled = true managers = ["pacman", "pip", "cargo"] [delegates] include = ["~/.config/nvim", "~/.config/waybar"] exclude = ["**/.git", "**/*.cache"] ``` The sync repo stores: ``` ~/.local/share/bread/sync-repo/ ├── bread/ ← ~/.config/bread/ snapshot ├── configs/ ← delegate paths (nvim, waybar, etc.) ├── machines/ ← per-machine profiles with tags and last-sync time └── packages/ ← package snapshots (pacman.txt, pip.txt, etc.) ``` ## Debugging tips - Run `bread events` to see live normalized events. - Run `bread state` to see full runtime state as JSON. - Run `bread doctor` to check adapter and module health. - Log event payloads with `bread.log(tostring(event.data))`. - Use `RUST_LOG=debug breadd` for verbose daemon output. --- ## Dictionary: Lua API Every API is exposed through the `bread` global table. ### Module declaration Every module must call `bread.module` exactly once at the top level. ```lua local M = bread.module({ name = "my.module", version = "0.1.0", after = { "bread.devices" }, -- optional: load after this module }) return M ``` If a module does not call `bread.module`, it fails to load and is marked as a load error. ### Events #### `bread.on(pattern, fn) -> id` Subscribe to matching events. Returns a numeric subscription ID. ```lua local id = bread.on("bread.device.*", function(event) -- event.event → the full event name string -- event.data → table of event-specific fields -- event.source → adapter that produced it ("Udev", "Hyprland", etc.) bread.log(event.event) end) ``` #### `bread.once(pattern, fn) -> id` Subscribe once. The handler is removed after the first match. #### `bread.filter(pattern, fn, opts) -> id` Subscribe with a predicate. `opts` must contain a `filter` function: ```lua bread.filter("bread.device.*", function(event) bread.exec("xset r rate 200 40") end, { filter = function(event) return event.data and event.data.class == "keyboard" end, }) ``` #### `bread.off(id)` Unsubscribe an event handler or state watch by ID. #### `bread.emit(event, data)` Emit a custom event into the system pipeline. Useful for cross-module communication. #### `bread.wait(pattern, opts) -> event | nil` Coroutine-only helper that suspends until a matching event arrives. ```lua bread.spawn(function() local event = bread.wait("bread.device.dock.connected", { timeout = 5000 }) if event then bread.log("dock arrived") end end) ``` #### `bread.spawn(fn)` Spawn a coroutine and surface errors if it fails. Required for using `bread.wait`. ### State #### `bread.state.get(path)` Read a state subtree by dotted path. ```lua local monitors = bread.state.get("monitors") local online = bread.state.get("network.online") ``` #### Typed shorthands ```lua bread.state.monitors() bread.state.active_workspace() bread.state.active_window() bread.state.devices() bread.state.power() bread.state.network() bread.state.profile() ``` #### `bread.state.watch(path, fn) -> id` Watch a state path for changes. The callback receives `(new_value, old_value)`. ```lua bread.state.watch("power.ac_connected", function(new_val, old_val) if new_val then bread.notify("AC connected") end end) ``` ### Profiles #### `bread.profile.activate(name)` Activate a named profile. Emits `bread.profile.activated` over IPC. ### Execution #### `bread.exec(cmd)` Run a shell command. Fire-and-forget (async, does not block Lua). ### Notifications #### `bread.notify(message, opts)` Send a desktop notification via `notify-send`. Options: | Key | Type | Default | |-----|------|---------| | `title` | string | `"bread"` | | `urgency` | string | from config | | `timeout` | ms | from config | | `icon` | string | none | Calling `bread.notify` emits `bread.notify.sent` with `{ title, message, urgency }`. ### Timers #### `bread.after(delay_ms, fn) -> id` Run once after a delay. #### `bread.every(interval_ms, fn) -> id` Run on a repeating interval. #### `bread.cancel(id)` Cancel a timer created by `after` or `every`. Timers are also cancelled automatically on reload. ### Utilities #### `bread.debounce(delay_ms, fn) -> wrapped_fn` Returns a wrapper that fires only after `delay_ms` of quiet time. ```lua local fn = bread.debounce(200, function(event) reconfigure_monitors() end) bread.on("bread.monitor.**", fn) ``` #### `bread.log(msg)` / `bread.warn(msg)` / `bread.error(msg)` Logging helpers. Accept any Lua value (coerced via `tostring`). ### Machine and filesystem #### `bread.machine.name() -> string` Returns the machine name from `sync.toml`. Falls back to the system hostname if sync is not initialized. #### `bread.machine.tags() -> string[]` Returns the tags array from `sync.toml`, or `{}` if sync is not initialized. #### `bread.machine.has_tag(tag) -> bool` Returns true if the machine has the given tag. #### `bread.fs.write(path, content)` Write a file. Creates parent directories as needed. `~` is expanded. #### `bread.fs.read(path) -> string | nil` Read a file. Returns `nil` if the file does not exist. `~` is expanded. #### `bread.fs.exists(path) -> bool` Returns true if the path exists. `~` is expanded. #### `bread.fs.expand(path) -> string` Expand `~` to the home directory. ### Hyprland The `bread.hyprland` namespace provides compositor bindings. ```lua -- Dispatch a Hyprland command bread.hyprland.dispatch("workspace", "2") bread.hyprland.dispatch("exec", "kitty") -- Set a keyword bread.hyprland.keyword("monitor", "HDMI-A-1, 2560x1440, 0x0, 1") -- Query compositor state (returns deserialized Lua tables) local win = bread.hyprland.active_window() local monitors = bread.hyprland.monitors() local workspaces = bread.hyprland.workspaces() local clients = bread.hyprland.clients() -- Subscribe to raw Hyprland events (bypasses normalization) bread.hyprland.on_raw("activewindow", function(raw) -- raw payload includes: kind, raw (original string), data end) ``` ### Module lifecycle hooks All hooks are optional. ```lua function M.on_load() -- Called after the module loads. Register subscriptions here. end function M.on_reload() -- Called after a hot reload completes across all modules. end function M.on_unload() -- Called before the Lua instance is dropped. end function M.on_error(err) -- Called when a subscription handler in this module throws. -- Return true to keep the subscription alive, false to cancel it. return true end ``` ### Module storage Survives hot reload; does not survive daemon restart. ```lua M.store.set("last_profile", "docked") local value = M.store.get("last_profile") ``` Storage is scoped per module and is not shared across modules. --- ## Dictionary: Built-in modules Built-ins are loaded before user modules. Disable them via `[modules].disable` in the daemon config. ### `bread.monitors` High-level declarative monitor event handlers. ```lua local monitors = require("bread.monitors") monitors.layout("dock", function() bread.exec("~/.config/bread/scripts/layout-dock.sh") end) monitors.on({ when = "connected", monitors = { "HDMI-A-1" }, run = monitors.apply("dock"), }) ``` | Function | Description | |----------|-------------| | `M.on(opts)` | Register a monitor workflow. `opts`: `when`, `monitors` (optional list), `run` (function or shell string) | | `M.layout(name, fn)` | Register a named layout function | | `M.apply(name) -> fn` | Returns a function that calls the named layout | `when` is one of `connected`, `disconnected`, `changed`. ### `bread.devices` Device connection rules with class-based matching. ```lua local devices = require("bread.devices") -- Register a name pattern → class mapping devices.register("CalDigit", "dock") devices.register("Keychron", "keyboard") devices.on({ when = "connected", class = "keyboard", run = function(event) bread.exec("xset r rate 200 40") end, }) ``` | Function | Description | |----------|-------------| | `M.on(opts)` | Register a device rule. `opts`: `when`, `class` (optional), `name` (optional pattern), `run` | | `M.register(pattern, class)` | Map a device name pattern to a class string | `class` values: `dock`, `keyboard`, `mouse`, `tablet`, `display`, `storage`, `audio`, `unknown`. ### `bread.workspaces` Workspace-to-monitor assignment and app pinning. ```lua local workspaces = require("bread.workspaces") workspaces.assign("1", "HDMI-A-1") workspaces.pin({ app = "Firefox", workspace = "2" }) ``` | Function | Description | |----------|-------------| | `M.assign(workspace, monitor)` | Assign a workspace to a monitor | | `M.pin(opts)` | Pin an app class to a workspace. `opts`: `app`, `workspace` | | `M.apply_assignments()` | Apply all registered assignments via Hyprland dispatch | ### `bread.binds` Runtime keybind management via Hyprland. ```lua local binds = require("bread.binds") binds.add({ mods = { "SUPER" }, key = "Return", dispatch = "exec", args = "kitty", }) ``` | Function | Description | |----------|-------------| | `M.add(opts)` | Add a keybind. `opts`: `mods`, `key`, `dispatch`, `args` | | `M.remove(key)` | Remove a keybind by key | | `M.replace(key, opts)` | Remove and re-add a keybind | --- ## Dictionary: Event reference Events are delivered as a `BreadEvent`: ```json { "event": "bread.device.dock.connected", "timestamp": 1710000000000, "source": "Udev", "data": {} } ``` ### Pattern matching | Pattern | Matches | |---------|---------| | `bread.device.dock.connected` | Exact match only | | `bread.device.*` | One segment wildcard (does not cross `.`) | | `bread.device.**` | Any depth under `bread.device` | | `bread.monitor.?` | Single character within one segment | ### Normalized events #### System | Event | Data | |-------|------| | `bread.system.startup` | `{}` | #### Devices (udev) | Event | Data | |-------|------| | `bread.device.connected` | `{ id, class, name, subsystem, vendor_id?, product_id? }` | | `bread.device.disconnected` | `{ id, class, name, subsystem, vendor_id?, product_id? }` | | `bread.device..connected` | same | | `bread.device..disconnected` | same | `class`: `dock`, `keyboard`, `mouse`, `tablet`, `display`, `storage`, `audio`, `unknown`. #### Hyprland | Event | Data | |-------|------| | `bread.workspace.changed` | raw payload | | `bread.workspace.created` | `{ workspace }` | | `bread.workspace.destroyed` | `{ workspace }` | | `bread.monitor.connected` | raw payload | | `bread.monitor.disconnected` | raw payload | | `bread.window.focus.changed` | raw payload | | `bread.window.focused` | `{ address }` | | `bread.window.opened` | `{ address, workspace, class, title }` | | `bread.window.closed` | `{ address }` | | `bread.window.moved` | `{ address, workspace }` | | `bread.hyprland.event` | `{ kind, raw, data }` (unhandled kinds) | #### Power | Event | Data | |-------|------| | `bread.power.ac.connected` | `{ ac_connected, battery_percent }` | | `bread.power.ac.disconnected` | `{ ac_connected, battery_percent }` | | `bread.power.battery.low` | `{ battery_percent }` | | `bread.power.battery.very_low` | `{ battery_percent }` | | `bread.power.battery.critical` | `{ battery_percent }` | | `bread.power.battery.full` | `{ battery_percent }` | | `bread.power.changed` | `{ ac_connected, battery_percent }` | #### Network | Event | Data | |-------|------| | `bread.network.connected` | `{ online, interfaces }` | | `bread.network.disconnected` | `{ online, interfaces }` | #### System events | Event | Data | |-------|------| | `bread.profile.activated` | `{ name }` | | `bread.notify.sent` | `{ title, message, urgency }` | | `bread.state.changed.` | emitted by state watches | --- ## Dictionary: Runtime state schema `bread state` and `bread.state.get("")` return the full `RuntimeState`: ```json { "monitors": [ { "name": "HDMI-A-1", "connected": true, "resolution": null, "position": null } ], "workspaces": [ { "id": "1", "monitor": "HDMI-A-1" } ], "active_workspace": "1", "active_window": "0x...", "devices": { "connected": [ { "id": "/sys/...", "name": "CalDigit TS4", "class": "dock", "subsystem": "usb", "vendor_id": "0x35f5", "product_id": "0x0104" } ] }, "network": { "interfaces": { "eth0": { "up": true } }, "online": true }, "power": { "ac_connected": true, "battery_percent": 87, "battery_low": false }, "profile": { "active": "default", "history": [], "profiles": {} }, "modules": [ { "name": "bread.monitors", "status": "loaded", "last_error": null, "builtin": true, "store": {} } ] } ``` `status` values: `loaded`, `load_error`, `not_found`, `degraded`, `disabled`. --- ## Dictionary: IPC protocol The daemon exposes a Unix socket at `$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/bread/breadd.sock`. Messages are newline-delimited JSON. Request: ```json { "id": "1", "method": "state.get", "params": { "key": "monitors" } } ``` Response: ```json { "id": "1", "result": [ { "name": "HDMI-A-1", "connected": true } ] } ``` Available methods: | Method | Params | Description | |--------|--------|-------------| | `ping` | — | Connectivity check | | `health` | — | Version, uptime, PID, adapter status | | `state.get` | `key` (dotted path) | Read a value from `RuntimeState` | | `state.dump` | — | Return the full `RuntimeState` as JSON | | `modules.list` | — | List all loaded modules and their status | | `modules.reload` | — | Hot-reload the Lua runtime | | `profile.list` | — | List defined profiles | | `profile.activate` | `name` | Switch active profile | | `events.subscribe` | — | Upgrade to streaming mode; pushes events line by line | | `events.replay` | `since_ms` | Replay buffered events from the last N ms | | `emit` | `event`, `data` | Inject a synthetic event into the pipeline | | `sync.status` | — | Return sync init state: `{ initialized, machine?, remote? }` |