UA token builds are no longer supported for `base: core24` snaps
Metadata
Current evaluation
The --ua-token flag remains unsupported for core24 snaps. Core24 builds will instead use Pro LXD containers as a replacement. The issue is closed as a deferred enhancement while the new container approach is developed.
Suggested action: —
No scores available.
Issue body
### Bug Description
When building a `base: core24` snap with `snapcraft --ua-token <token>`, an error message is emitted:
```
Error: unrecognized arguments: --ua-token
```
No error is emitted when using the environment variable instead.
No reference to Ubuntu Advantage, UA, or Pro exists in any of the help text options of snapcraft (that I have tried) in core24 projects, but is still visible in core22 projects. Indeed, several flags are missing for core24 projects, such as `--enable-experimental-plugins`.
### To Reproduce
Install snapcraft 8.x (tested revisions 12000 and 12024) and attempt to build the provided `snapcraft.yaml` with and without `--ua-token <token>` or with `SNAPCRAFT_UA_TOKEN=<token>` set and unset.
### Environment
Ubuntu 23.10, building with `--use-lxd`.
### snapcraft.yaml
```shell
name: my-snap-name # you probably want to 'snapcraft register <name>'
base: core22 # the base snap is the execution environment for this snap
version: '0.1' # just for humans, typically '1.2+git' or '1.3.2'
summary: Single-line elevator pitch for your amazing snap # 79 char long summary
description: |
This is my-snap's description. You have a paragraph or two to tell the
most important story about your snap. Keep it under 100 words though,
we live in tweetspace and your description wants to look good in the snap
store.
grade: devel # must be 'stable' to release into candidate/stable channels
confinement: devmode # use 'strict' once you have the right plugs and slots
parts:
my-part:
# See 'snapcraft plugins'
plugin: nil
```
### Relevant log output
```shell
Building the aforementioned snap with `base: core22` yields:
Attaching specified UA token...
Attach UA token
:: Enabling Ubuntu Pro: ESM Apps
:: Ubuntu Pro: ESM Apps enabled
:: Enabling Ubuntu Pro: ESM Infra
:: Ubuntu Pro: ESM Infra enabled
:: This machine is now attached to 'Ubuntu Pro - free personal subscription'
::
:: SERVICE ENTITLED STATUS DESCRIPTION
:: anbox-cloud yes disabled Scalable Android in the cloud
:: esm-apps yes enabled Expanded Security Maintenance for Applications
:: esm-infra yes enabled Expanded Security Maintenance for Infrastructure
:: fips-preview yes disabled Preview of FIPS crypto packages undergoing certification with NIST
:: fips-updates yes disabled FIPS compliant crypto packages with stable security updates
:: usg yes disabled Security compliance and audit tools
::
:: NOTICES
:: Operation in progress: pro attach
::
:: For a list of all Ubuntu Pro services, run 'pro status --all'
:: Enable services with: pro enable <service>
::
:: Account: dilyn.corner@canonical.com
:: Subscription: Ubuntu Pro - free personal subscription
No such output is observed with `base: core24`
```
### Additional context
`ubuntu-advantage-tools` is not installed in the container. Installing it and checking `pro status` yields:
```
snapcraft-gotop-on-amd64-for-amd64-131222 ../project# pro status
SERVICE AVAILABLE DESCRIPTION
anbox-cloud yes Scalable Android in the cloud
esm-apps yes Expanded Security Maintenance for Applications
esm-infra yes Expanded Security Maintenance for Infrastructure
landscape yes Management and administration tool for Ubuntu
livepatch yes Canonical Livepatch service
realtime-kernel yes Ubuntu kernel with PREEMPT_RT patches integrated
For a list of all Ubuntu Pro services, run 'pro status --all'
This machine is not attached to an Ubuntu Pro subscription.
See https://ubuntu.com/pro
```
Evaluation history
| Date | Model | Scores | Action | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b | — | — | The --ua-token flag remains unsupported for core24 snaps. Core24 builds will instead use Pro LXD containers as a replacement. The issue is closed as a deferred enhancement while the new container approach is developed. | |
| qwen/qwen3.8-27b |
Impact:
55
Quick Win:
24.75
Staleness:
75
Complexity:
55
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
15
|
close stale | Reports --ua-token failing for base: core24 snaps. Triaged; maintainers confirmed the flag is intentionally unsupported for core24, and Snapcraft 9.1 shipped Pro support via --pro with the host Pro token, superseding the legacy UA token mechanism. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Staleness:
70
Complexity:
65
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
10
|
keep open | Triaged enhancement requesting --ua-token support for core24 snaps. Maintainers acknowledge the gap and are designing a Pro LXD container replacement, but the feature remains unimplemented and stalled for over a year. | |
| qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6 |
Staleness:
70
Complexity:
75
Confidence:
90
Support Request:
10
|
keep open | Enhancement to restore UA token build support for core24 snaps, currently blocked by architectural changes to use Pro LXD containers instead. Triaged and under design review. | |
| qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6 |
Staleness:
75
Complexity:
45
Confidence:
90
Support Request:
10
|
keep open | snapcraft 8.x removes the --ua-token flag for base: core24 snaps, breaking builds. Triaged and under discussion. Maintainers are evaluating Pro LXD containers as a replacement, but the design remains in-progress. |
Update history
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| closed |
Related issues
| Issue | Project | State | Summary | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6140 `SNAPCRAFT_UA_TOKEN` does not work on `base: core24` | snapcraft | open | SNAPCRAFT_UA_TOKEN is ignored for base: core24 managed builds, so ESM archives are unavailable; triaged, and current code/docs intentionally use host Pro token with --pro for core24+ instead of the legacy UA token. |