[RFE] Add support for backporting in dist-git format (sources, patches & spec)
Currently, Patchpal does not support backporting directly from a RHEL Y-stream to a Z-stream when working with the dist-git format (i.e., sources, patches, and spec files). The tool is limited to source code format (like pure upstream Git), which restricts its usability in RHEL userspace where most packages are maintained in dist-git format.
Request:
Please enhance Patchpal to support dist-git format for backporting across RHEL streams — particularly enabling seamless backports from Y-stream to Z-stream. This would significantly improve developer/maintainer productivity and automation in RHEL sustaining engineering and backport workflows.
Use Case:
Sustaining engineers often need to backport security and bug fixes from a RHEL Y-stream (e.g., RHEL 9.7) to a Z-stream (e.g., 9.2.z). Since the work is done in dist-git format, lack of dist-git support means Patchpal cannot be directly used.
Expected Outcome:
- Ability to input dist-git formatted branches for both source and target
- Patchpal should process and suggest patches using the patches and spec structure
- Allow comparing changes and resolving conflicts within the context of dist-git
** Steps to Reproduce : **
- rhpkg clone <repo_name> - Clone the dist-git repository.
- cd <repo_name>
- rhpkg switch-branch <z_stream_branch>
- ~/patchpal-gui/target/release/patchpal <y_stream_commit_id>
- Check the suggestions
Observations:
The suggestion made by Patchpal is to backport entire patch and suggests changes for spec file only.
Expected Results:
Patchpal should suggest changes in the code (as it does with source code comparisons).