i386 arch not enabled on amd64 build systems

Metadata

Project: snapcraft (launchpad)
Number: #1828252
Type: issue
State: open
Author: ~popey
Labels: —
Created: 2019-05-08 03:16 PM UTC
Updated: 2019-05-08 03:16 PM UTC
Closed: —

Current evaluation

Feature request to enable i386 architecture on amd64 build systems so snaps requiring i386 build/stage packages can be built. Filed 7+ years ago with zero comments, no labels, and no maintainer interaction. The suggested mechanism (dpkg --add-architecture during VM/container stand-up) references a build system era that has since changed significantly.

Suggested action: close stale

Reason: The issue is 2672 days (~7.3 years) old with zero comments, no labels, and no maintainer engagement. The specific suggestion to run 'dpkg --add-architecture i386 && apt update' during 'VM / container stand-up' references a build system architecture that has evolved substantially since filing (snapcraft has moved through multiple major base revisions and build-environment redesigns). Without evidence the underlying problem persists in the current build system, and given the extreme age and complete lack of interaction, the issue is no longer actionable in its current form.

Impact: 35 Quick Win: 22.75 Staleness: 92 Complexity: 35 Confidence: 50 Support Request: 25

Issue body

It's quite hard to build a snap which has build-packages or stage-packages which are not the current arch. For example a snap which needs an i386 package will fail to build being unable to find the package when run on amd64 build systems Perhaps the necessary "dpkg --add-architecture i386 && apt update" could happen during the VM / container stand-up?

Evaluation history

Date	Model	Scores	Action	Summary
2026-09-01 08:54 AM UTC	qwen/qwen3.8-27b	Impact: 35 Quick Win: 22.75 Staleness: 92 Complexity: 35 Confidence: 50 Support Request: 25	close stale	Feature request to enable i386 architecture on amd64 build systems so snaps requiring i386 build/stage packages can be built. Filed 7+ years ago with zero comments, no labels, and no maintainer interaction. The suggested mechanism (dpkg --add-architecture during VM/container stand-up) references a build system era that has since changed significantly.
2026-07-23 12:00 PM UTC	qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b	Staleness: 98 Complexity: 15 Confidence: 95 Support Request: 5	close stale	Feature request to enable i386 architecture on amd64 build systems for snap packaging. Issue is completely inactive for over 7 years with no maintainer response.
2026-07-22 12:21 PM UTC	qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b	Staleness: 98 Complexity: 15 Confidence: 90 Support Request: 5	close stale	Feature request to enable i386 architecture on amd64 build systems for snap builds. Issue is completely inactive with no maintainer feedback for over 7 years.
2026-07-10 03:04 AM UTC	qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6	Staleness: 98 Complexity: 15 Confidence: 85 Support Request: 10	close stale	Request to enable i386 architecture support on amd64 build systems for snap builds. Unanswered and inactive for over 7 years.
2026-06-21 05:23 PM UTC	qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6	Staleness: 98 Complexity: 15 Confidence: 85 Support Request: 20	close stale	Request to automatically enable i386 architecture on amd64 build systems for snap builds. Open for 7 years with no maintainer response or labels.

Update history

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