using an invalid architecture in stage-packages causes a mess
Metadata
Current evaluation
Closed as stale after the legacy stage-package path was removed; modern Snapcraft now rejects hello:invalid as an unfindable package without suggesting dpkg --add-architecture.
Resolution: closed stale
Reason: No issue-linked merged fix is cited. The affected legacy implementation was removed in commit ffb164b7a, and ~mr-cal later confirmed that current Snapcraft reports an unfindable package instead of offering unsafe architecture guidance.
Evaluated by: mr-cal-bot
No scores available.
Issue body
Adding a stage package like this one:
stage-packages: ['hello:invalid']
results in the following suggestion:
You may need to add support for this architecture with 'dpkg --add-architecture invalid'.
If you actually go ahead an run that command, dpkg will not complain about the invalid architecture, which leaves you with invalid apt sources. You won't be able to run apt update, and thus you won't be able to run snapcraft.
I think we should only suggest to add the architecture if it is a valid one.
Evaluation history
| Date | Model | Scores | Action | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stealth/space-bunny-alpha | — | closed stale | Closed as stale after the legacy stage-package path was removed; modern Snapcraft now rejects hello:invalid as an unfindable package without suggesting dpkg --add-architecture. | |
| stealth/space-bunny-alpha | — | closed resolved | Invalid stage-package architectures no longer prompt dpkg --add-architecture; host multi-architecture handling in PR #1348 replaced the unsafe guidance, and Snapcraft now reports that the package cannot be found. | |
| stealth/space-bunny-alpha | — | closed stale | The invalid-architecture stage-package report was closed after 3,523 days without a documented fix, superseding change, or maintainer explanation. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b | — | — | Closed. The issue was abandoned due to lack of comments or resolution details. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Staleness:
98
Complexity:
15
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
5
|
close stale | Snapcraft suggests running dpkg --add-architecture for invalid stage-package architectures, breaking apt. Unlabeled, zero comments, inactive for over 9 years. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Staleness:
98
Complexity:
10
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
5
|
close stale | Specifying an invalid architecture in stage-packages triggers a dpkg suggestion that breaks apt sources. Unlabeled, zero comments, inactive for ~9 years. | |
| qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6 |
Staleness:
98
Complexity:
20
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
5
|
close stale | Issue reports that suggesting dpkg --add-architecture for invalid stage-packages architectures corrupts apt sources. No maintainer response or activity in over 9 years. |
Update history
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| created |
Related work
-
Caused By:
snapcore/snapcraft#1050
(confidence 94%)
Commit 298f2fe85 added stage-package multi-architecture handling containing the unsafe architecture prompt.
-
Related To:
snapcore/snapcraft#1348
(confidence 92%)
Maintainers proposed improved host architecture detection and a replacement error, but no closing linkage was recorded.
Related issues
| Issue | Project | State | Summary | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1655797 Set arch for stage packages | snapcraft (launchpad) | closed | Fixed architecture qualifiers such as i386 in stage packages via snapcore/snapcraft PR #1050. |