feat: add support for package groups in dependency management

- Introduced a new `groups` field in the package specification to categorize packages.
- Updated various functions to handle package groups, including parsing, registration, and querying.
- Enhanced database schema to store package group information.
- Modified the interactive package creation process to allow users to specify package groups.
- Implemented tests to verify the correct handling of package groups in both source and binary repositories.
- Updated the output formatting to include package group information where applicable.

Cargo.lock

@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ checksum = "807800ff3288b621186fe0a8f3392c4652068257302709c24efd918c3dffcdc2"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "depot"
-version = "0.33.0"
+version = "0.33.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "ar",

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "depot"
-version = "0.33.0"
+version = "0.33.1"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [lints.rust]

meson.build

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 project(
   'depot',
-  version: '0.33.0',
+  version: '0.33.1',
   meson_version: '>=0.60.0',
   default_options: ['buildtype=release'],
 )

src/commands.rs

@@ -727,6 +727,7 @@ fn package_spec_from_archive_metadata(metadata: &toml::Value) -> package::Packag
             runtime: parse_dependency_list(metadata, "runtime"),
             test: Vec::new(),
             optional: parse_dependency_list(metadata, "optional"),
+            groups: parse_dependency_list(metadata, "groups"),
             lib32: None,
         },
         package_alternatives: Default::default(),
@@ -811,6 +812,7 @@ fn package_spec_from_repo_record(
             runtime: record.runtime_dependencies.clone(),
             test: Vec::new(),
             optional: record.optional_dependencies.clone(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
             lib32: None,
         },
         package_alternatives: Default::default(),
@@ -2275,6 +2277,172 @@ fn scan_package_specs(dir: &Path) -> Result<Vec<PathBuf>> {
     Ok(specs)
 }
 
+fn spec_group_package_names(spec: &package::PackageSpec, group: &str) -> Vec<String> {
+    let mut names = Vec::new();
+    for output in spec.outputs() {
+        if spec
+            .dependencies_for_output(&output.name)
+            .groups
+            .iter()
+            .any(|candidate| candidate.eq_ignore_ascii_case(group))
+        {
+            names.push(output.name);
+        }
+    }
+    if spec.builds_lib32_output() {
+        let lib32_name = spec.lib32_package_name();
+        if spec
+            .dependencies_for_output(&lib32_name)
+            .groups
+            .iter()
+            .any(|candidate| candidate.eq_ignore_ascii_case(group))
+        {
+            names.push(lib32_name);
+        }
+    }
+    names.sort();
+    names.dedup();
+    names
+}
+
+fn collect_source_group_package_names(config: &config::Config, group: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    if !config.repo_clone_dir.exists() {
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
+
+    let mut packages = BTreeSet::new();
+    for spec_path in scan_package_specs(&config.repo_clone_dir)? {
+        let spec = package::PackageSpec::from_file(&spec_path)
+            .with_context(|| format!("Failed to parse spec {}", spec_path.display()))?;
+        for package_name in spec_group_package_names(&spec, group) {
+            packages.insert(package_name);
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(packages.into_iter().collect())
+}
+
+fn collect_binary_group_package_names(
+    config: &config::Config,
+    rootfs: &Path,
+    group: &str,
+) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    let host_arch = std::env::consts::ARCH;
+    let mut binary_repos: Vec<_> = config
+        .binary_repos
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|(_, repo)| repo.enabled && repo.supports_arch(host_arch))
+        .collect();
+    binary_repos.sort_by(|a, b| a.1.priority.cmp(&b.1.priority).then_with(|| a.0.cmp(b.0)));
+
+    let mut packages = BTreeSet::new();
+    for (repo_name, repo_cfg) in binary_repos {
+        let matches = db::repo::find_binary_repo_packages_by_group(
+            repo_name,
+            repo_cfg,
+            rootfs,
+            &config.package_cache_dir,
+            group,
+        )?;
+        for record in matches {
+            packages.insert(record.name);
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(packages.into_iter().collect())
+}
+
+fn collect_install_group_package_names(
+    config: &config::Config,
+    rootfs: &Path,
+    group: &str,
+) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    let mut packages = BTreeSet::new();
+    for package_name in collect_source_group_package_names(config, group)? {
+        packages.insert(package_name);
+    }
+    for package_name in collect_binary_group_package_names(config, rootfs, group)? {
+        packages.insert(package_name);
+    }
+    Ok(packages.into_iter().collect())
+}
+
+fn expand_install_requests_for_groups(
+    config: &config::Config,
+    rootfs: &Path,
+    requests: &[PathBuf],
+) -> Result<(Vec<PathBuf>, Vec<String>)> {
+    let mut expanded = Vec::new();
+    let mut explicit_groups = Vec::new();
+    let mut seen = HashSet::new();
+
+    for request in requests {
+        if request.exists() {
+            let key = request.to_string_lossy().to_string();
+            if seen.insert(key) {
+                expanded.push(request.clone());
+            }
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        let request_name = request.to_string_lossy().to_string();
+        let group_packages = collect_install_group_package_names(config, rootfs, &request_name)?;
+        if group_packages.is_empty() {
+            if seen.insert(request_name.clone()) {
+                expanded.push(request.clone());
+            }
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        ui::info(format!(
+            "Expanding group '{}' ({} packages)...",
+            request_name,
+            group_packages.len()
+        ));
+        explicit_groups.push(request_name);
+        for package_name in group_packages {
+            if seen.insert(package_name.clone()) {
+                expanded.push(PathBuf::from(package_name));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((expanded, explicit_groups))
+}
+
+fn expand_installed_group_targets(
+    db_path: &Path,
+    requests: &[String],
+) -> Result<(Vec<String>, Vec<String>)> {
+    let mut expanded = Vec::new();
+    let mut explicit_groups = Vec::new();
+    let mut seen = HashSet::new();
+
+    for request in requests {
+        if db::is_installed_group(db_path, request)? {
+            let group_packages = db::get_packages_in_installed_group(db_path, request)?;
+            if !group_packages.is_empty() {
+                ui::info(format!(
+                    "Expanding group '{}' ({} packages)...",
+                    request,
+                    group_packages.len()
+                ));
+                explicit_groups.push(request.clone());
+                for package_name in group_packages {
+                    if seen.insert(package_name.clone()) {
+                        expanded.push(package_name);
+                    }
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if seen.insert(request.clone()) {
+            expanded.push(request.clone());
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok((expanded, explicit_groups))
+}
+
 fn human_bytes(bytes: u64) -> String {
     const UNITS: [&str; 5] = ["B", "KiB", "MiB", "GiB", "TiB"];
     let mut value = bytes as f64;
@@ -5094,6 +5262,8 @@ pub fn run(cli: Cli) -> Result<()> {
             // Load configuration early so we can use configured repos/paths.
             let config = config::Config::for_rootfs(&rootfs);
             ensure_depot_self_update_not_required(&config, &rootfs)?;
+            let (install_requests, explicit_groups) =
+                expand_install_requests_for_groups(&config, &rootfs, &install_requests)?;
             let install_test_deps = install_test_deps_enabled(cli_test_deps, &config);
             let mut planned_targets = Vec::new();
             let mut planned_spec_paths = Vec::new();
@@ -5192,6 +5362,10 @@ pub fn run(cli: Cli) -> Result<()> {
                 install::scripts::run_deferred_hooks_if_possible(&rootfs)?;
             }
 
+            if !dry_run && !explicit_groups.is_empty() {
+                db::record_installed_groups(&config.installed_db_path(&rootfs), &explicit_groups)?;
+            }
+
             if clean && (ran_plan_mode || ran_direct_install) {
                 clean_build_workspace(&config)?;
             }
@@ -5207,11 +5381,18 @@ pub fn run(cli: Cli) -> Result<()> {
             let remove_lock_path = locking::lock_path(&config);
             let _remove_lock_guard =
                 locking::try_write(&mut remove_lock, &remove_lock_path, "remove")?;
-            let removal_targets = vec![package.clone()];
+            let db_path = config.installed_db_path(&rootfs);
+            let (removal_targets, explicit_groups) =
+                expand_installed_group_targets(&db_path, std::slice::from_ref(&package))?;
             if !ui::prompt_package_action("removal", &removal_targets, true)? {
                 anyhow::bail!("Aborted");
             }
-            remove_installed_package_with_hooks(&package, &rootfs, &config)?;
+            for target in &removal_targets {
+                remove_installed_package_with_hooks(target, &rootfs, &config)?;
+            }
+            for group in explicit_groups {
+                db::remove_installed_group(&db_path, &group)?;
+            }
         }
         Commands::Build(BuildArgs {
             rootfs_args,
@@ -5764,11 +5945,16 @@ pub fn run(cli: Cli) -> Result<()> {
             let dry_run = build_exec_args.dry_run;
             let config = config::Config::for_rootfs(&rootfs);
             sync_source_repositories_for_update(&config)?;
-            if !is_explicit_depot_self_update_request(&packages) {
+            let expanded_packages = if packages.is_empty() {
+                Vec::new()
+            } else {
+                expand_installed_group_targets(&config.installed_db_path(&rootfs), &packages)?.0
+            };
+            if !is_explicit_depot_self_update_request(&expanded_packages) {
                 ensure_depot_self_update_not_required(&config, &rootfs)?;
             }
             run_update_command(
-                &packages,
+                &expanded_packages,
                 &config,
                 UpdateCommandOptions {
                     rootfs: &rootfs,
@@ -6419,6 +6605,7 @@ mod tests {
             replaces: Vec::new(),
             runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
             optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -6679,6 +6866,7 @@ optional = []
             replaces: Vec::new(),
             runtime_dependencies: vec!["glibc".into()],
             optional_dependencies: vec!["manpages".into()],
+            groups: vec!["base".into()],
         };
         let spec = package_spec_from_repo_record(&record);
         let installed =
@@ -6981,6 +7169,7 @@ optional = []
             replaces: Vec::new(),
             runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
             optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         };
         let spec = package_spec_from_repo_record(&record);
         let installed =
@@ -7520,6 +7709,7 @@ optional = []
                     replaces: Vec::new(),
                     runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
                     optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+                    groups: Vec::new(),
                 },
             ),
         )]);
@@ -8818,6 +9008,7 @@ file = "missing.patch"
             runtime: Vec::new(),
             test: vec!["lib32-pytest".into()],
             optional: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         });
 
         assert!(!should_install_test_deps(
@@ -9118,6 +9309,7 @@ optional = []
             runtime: vec!["lib32-zlib".into()],
             test: Vec::new(),
             optional: vec!["lib32-gtk-doc".into()],
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         });
 
         let lib32 = make_lib32_package_spec(&base);
@@ -9138,4 +9330,103 @@ optional = []
             deps::RequestedOutputs::Lib32Only
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn expand_install_requests_for_groups_uses_source_specs() -> Result<()> {
+        let temp = tempfile::tempdir()?;
+        let rootfs = temp.path().join("rootfs");
+        let repo_root = temp.path().join("repos");
+        let core = repo_root.join("core").join("foo");
+        let desktop = repo_root.join("desktop").join("bar");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&rootfs)?;
+        fs::create_dir_all(&core)?;
+        fs::create_dir_all(&desktop)?;
+
+        let foo_spec = core.join("foo.toml");
+        fs::write(
+            &foo_spec,
+            r#"[package]
+name = "foo"
+version = "1.0.0"
+revision = 1
+description = "foo"
+homepage = "https://example.test/foo"
+license = "MIT"
+
+[[source]]
+url = "https://example.test/foo-1.0.0.tar.gz"
+sha256 = "skip"
+extract_dir = "foo-1.0.0"
+
+[build]
+type = "custom"
+
+[dependencies]
+groups = ["base"]
+runtime = []
+optional = []
+"#,
+        )?;
+
+        let bar_spec = desktop.join("bar.toml");
+        fs::write(
+            &bar_spec,
+            r#"[package]
+name = "bar"
+version = "1.0.0"
+revision = 1
+description = "bar"
+homepage = "https://example.test/bar"
+license = "MIT"
+
+[[source]]
+url = "https://example.test/bar-1.0.0.tar.gz"
+sha256 = "skip"
+extract_dir = "bar-1.0.0"
+
+[build]
+type = "custom"
+
+[dependencies]
+groups = ["base", "desktop"]
+runtime = []
+optional = []
+"#,
+        )?;
+
+        let mut config = config::Config::for_rootfs(&rootfs);
+        config.repo_clone_dir = repo_root;
+        config.binary_repos.clear();
+
+        let (expanded, groups) =
+            expand_install_requests_for_groups(&config, &rootfs, &[PathBuf::from("base")])?;
+
+        assert_eq!(groups, vec!["base".to_string()]);
+        assert_eq!(expanded, vec![PathBuf::from("bar"), PathBuf::from("foo")]);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn expand_installed_group_targets_uses_installed_group_membership() -> Result<()> {
+        let temp = tempfile::tempdir()?;
+        let rootfs = temp.path().join("rootfs");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&rootfs)?;
+        let config = config::Config::for_rootfs(&rootfs);
+        let db_path = config.installed_db_path(&rootfs);
+
+        let dest = temp.path().join("dest");
+        fs::create_dir_all(dest.join("usr/bin"))?;
+        fs::write(dest.join("usr/bin/foo"), "foo")?;
+
+        let mut spec = test_package_spec(package::BuildType::Custom, None, &[]);
+        spec.package.name = "foo".into();
+        spec.dependencies.groups = vec!["base".into()];
+        db::register_package(&db_path, &spec, &dest)?;
+        db::record_installed_groups(&db_path, &[String::from("base")])?;
+
+        let (expanded, groups) = expand_installed_group_targets(&db_path, &[String::from("base")])?;
+        assert_eq!(groups, vec!["base".to_string()]);
+        assert_eq!(expanded, vec!["foo".to_string()]);
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }

src/db/mod.rs

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub mod repo;
 use crate::package::PackageSpec;
 use crate::staging;
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
-use rusqlite::{Connection, params};
+use rusqlite::{Connection, OptionalExtension, params};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::Path;
 use walkdir::WalkDir;
@@ -174,6 +174,10 @@ pub fn register_package_with_replacement(
         "DELETE FROM directories WHERE package_id = ?1",
         params![pkg_id],
     )?;
+    tx.execute(
+        "DELETE FROM package_groups WHERE package_id = ?1",
+        params![pkg_id],
+    )?;
 
     // Insert provides
     for provides in &spec.alternatives.provides {
@@ -189,6 +193,12 @@ pub fn register_package_with_replacement(
             params![pkg_id, replaces],
         )?;
     }
+    for group in &spec.dependencies.groups {
+        tx.execute(
+            "INSERT OR IGNORE INTO package_groups (package_id, group_name) VALUES (?1, ?2)",
+            params![pkg_id, group],
+        )?;
+    }
 
     // Detect ownership conflicts and separate into auto-removable vs fatal.
     let mut fatal_conflicts: Vec<(String, String)> = Vec::new();
@@ -461,6 +471,11 @@ pub fn show_package_info(db_path: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<()> {
     crate::log_info!("Homepage: {}", homepage);
     crate::log_info!("License: {}", license);
 
+    let groups = get_package_groups(db_path, name)?;
+    if !groups.is_empty() {
+        crate::log_info!("Groups: {}", groups.join(", "));
+    }
+
     // Count files
     let file_count: i64 = conn.query_row(
         "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM files f JOIN packages p ON f.package_id = p.id WHERE p.name = ?1",
@@ -483,17 +498,46 @@ pub fn list_packages(db_path: &Path) -> Result<()> {
     let conn = Connection::open(db_path)?;
     init_db(&conn)?;
 
-    let mut stmt = conn.prepare("SELECT name, version FROM packages ORDER BY name")?;
+    let mut stmt = conn.prepare(
+        "SELECT
+            p.name,
+            p.version,
+            GROUP_CONCAT(pg.group_name, ',')
+         FROM packages p
+         LEFT JOIN package_groups pg ON pg.package_id = p.id
+         GROUP BY p.id
+         ORDER BY p.name",
+    )?;
     let packages = stmt.query_map([], |row| {
-        Ok((row.get::<_, String>(0)?, row.get::<_, String>(1)?))
+        Ok((
+            row.get::<_, String>(0)?,
+            row.get::<_, String>(1)?,
+            row.get::<_, Option<String>>(2)?,
+        ))
     })?;
 
     crate::log_info!("{:<30} VERSION", "PACKAGE");
     crate::log_info!("{}", "-".repeat(50));
 
     for pkg in packages {
-        let (name, version) = pkg?;
+        let (name, version, groups_csv) = pkg?;
-        crate::log_info!("{:<30} {}", name, version);
+        let groups = groups_csv
+            .map(|csv| {
+                let mut values: Vec<String> = csv
+                    .split(',')
+                    .filter(|value| !value.is_empty())
+                    .map(String::from)
+                    .collect();
+                values.sort();
+                values.dedup();
+                values
+            })
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        if groups.is_empty() {
+            crate::log_info!("{:<30} {}", name, version);
+        } else {
+            crate::log_info!("{:<30} {} [groups: {}]", name, version, groups.join(", "));
+        }
     }
 
     Ok(())
@@ -531,6 +575,18 @@ fn init_db(conn: &Connection) -> Result<()> {
             UNIQUE(package_id, replaces_name)
         );
 
+        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS package_groups (
+            id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
+            package_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
+            group_name TEXT NOT NULL,
+            FOREIGN KEY (package_id) REFERENCES packages(id),
+            UNIQUE(package_id, group_name)
+        );
+
+        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS installed_groups (
+            group_name TEXT PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL
+        );
+
         CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS files (
             id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
             package_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
@@ -549,6 +605,7 @@ fn init_db(conn: &Connection) -> Result<()> {
         CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_files_package ON files(package_id);
         CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_provides_name ON provides(provides_name);
         CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_replaces_name ON replaces(replaces_name);
+        CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_package_groups_name ON package_groups(group_name);
         CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_directories_package ON directories(package_id);
         CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_directories_path ON directories(path);
         ",
@@ -630,6 +687,10 @@ fn delete_package_rows(conn: &Connection, pkg_id: i64) -> Result<()> {
         "DELETE FROM replaces WHERE package_id = ?1",
         params![pkg_id],
     )?;
+    conn.execute(
+        "DELETE FROM package_groups WHERE package_id = ?1",
+        params![pkg_id],
+    )?;
     conn.execute("DELETE FROM packages WHERE id = ?1", params![pkg_id])?;
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -648,6 +709,10 @@ fn delete_package_rows_tx(tx: &rusqlite::Transaction<'_>, pkg_id: i64) -> Result
         "DELETE FROM replaces WHERE package_id = ?1",
         params![pkg_id],
     )?;
+    tx.execute(
+        "DELETE FROM package_groups WHERE package_id = ?1",
+        params![pkg_id],
+    )?;
     tx.execute("DELETE FROM packages WHERE id = ?1", params![pkg_id])?;
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -805,6 +870,101 @@ pub fn get_package_provides(db_path: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
     Ok(rows.filter_map(|row| row.ok()).collect())
 }
 
+/// Return the group memberships recorded for an installed package.
+pub fn get_package_groups(db_path: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    if !db_path.exists() {
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
+
+    let conn = Connection::open(db_path)?;
+    init_db(&conn)?;
+    let mut stmt = conn.prepare(
+        "SELECT pg.group_name
+         FROM package_groups pg
+         JOIN packages p ON p.id = pg.package_id
+         WHERE p.name = ?1
+         ORDER BY pg.group_name",
+    )?;
+    let rows = stmt.query_map(params![name], |row| row.get(0))?;
+    Ok(rows.filter_map(|row| row.ok()).collect())
+}
+
+/// Return the installed package names that belong to an explicitly recorded group.
+pub fn get_packages_in_installed_group(db_path: &Path, group: &str) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    if !db_path.exists() {
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
+
+    let conn = Connection::open(db_path)?;
+    init_db(&conn)?;
+    let mut stmt = conn.prepare(
+        "SELECT p.name
+         FROM package_groups pg
+         JOIN packages p ON p.id = pg.package_id
+         WHERE lower(pg.group_name) = lower(?1)
+         ORDER BY p.name",
+    )?;
+    let rows = stmt.query_map(params![group], |row| row.get(0))?;
+    Ok(rows.filter_map(|row| row.ok()).collect())
+}
+
+/// Return true when the named group was explicitly installed by the user.
+pub fn is_installed_group(db_path: &Path, group: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+    if !db_path.exists() {
+        return Ok(false);
+    }
+
+    let conn = Connection::open(db_path)?;
+    init_db(&conn)?;
+    let found = conn
+        .query_row(
+            "SELECT 1 FROM installed_groups WHERE lower(group_name) = lower(?1) LIMIT 1",
+            params![group],
+            |row| row.get::<_, i64>(0),
+        )
+        .optional()?
+        .is_some();
+    Ok(found)
+}
+
+/// Record one or more explicit group installs.
+pub fn record_installed_groups(db_path: &Path, groups: &[String]) -> Result<()> {
+    if groups.is_empty() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    if let Some(parent) = db_path.parent() {
+        fs::create_dir_all(parent)?;
+    }
+
+    let mut conn = Connection::open(db_path)?;
+    init_db(&conn)?;
+    let tx = conn.transaction()?;
+    for group in groups {
+        tx.execute(
+            "INSERT OR IGNORE INTO installed_groups (group_name) VALUES (?1)",
+            params![group],
+        )?;
+    }
+    tx.commit()?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Remove an explicit installed-group marker.
+pub fn remove_installed_group(db_path: &Path, group: &str) -> Result<()> {
+    if !db_path.exists() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    let conn = Connection::open(db_path)?;
+    init_db(&conn)?;
+    conn.execute(
+        "DELETE FROM installed_groups WHERE lower(group_name) = lower(?1)",
+        params![group],
+    )?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 /// Get set of all provided package names (alternatives)
 pub fn get_all_provides(db_path: &Path) -> Result<std::collections::HashSet<String>> {
     use std::collections::HashSet;
@@ -1235,4 +1395,46 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(replaces.contains("grep"));
         assert!(replaces.contains("patch"));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn register_package_persists_groups() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let db_path = tmp.path().join("packages.db");
+        let dest = tmp.path().join("dest");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(dest.join("usr/bin")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(dest.join("usr/bin/foo"), "foo").unwrap();
+
+        let mut spec = mk_spec("foo", "1.0");
+        spec.dependencies.groups = vec!["base".into(), "desktop".into()];
+
+        register_package(&db_path, &spec, &dest).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            get_package_groups(&db_path, "foo").unwrap(),
+            vec!["base".to_string(), "desktop".to_string()]
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn installed_group_helpers_round_trip_membership() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let db_path = tmp.path().join("packages.db");
+        let dest = tmp.path().join("dest");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(dest.join("usr/bin")).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(dest.join("usr/bin/foo"), "foo").unwrap();
+
+        let mut spec = mk_spec("foo", "1.0");
+        spec.dependencies.groups = vec!["base".into()];
+        register_package(&db_path, &spec, &dest).unwrap();
+
+        record_installed_groups(&db_path, &[String::from("base")]).unwrap();
+        assert!(is_installed_group(&db_path, "base").unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(
+            get_packages_in_installed_group(&db_path, "base").unwrap(),
+            vec!["foo".to_string()]
+        );
+
+        remove_installed_group(&db_path, "base").unwrap();
+        assert!(!is_installed_group(&db_path, "base").unwrap());
+    }
 }

src/db/repo.rs

@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ struct IndexedPackage {
     replaces: Vec<String>,
     runtime_dependencies: Vec<String>,
     optional_dependencies: Vec<String>,
+    groups: Vec<String>,
     archive_files: Vec<String>,
 }
 
@@ -129,6 +130,7 @@ pub struct BinaryRepoPackageRecord {
     pub replaces: Vec<String>,
     pub runtime_dependencies: Vec<String>,
     pub optional_dependencies: Vec<String>,
+    pub groups: Vec<String>,
 }
 
 impl BinaryRepoPackageRecord {
@@ -330,6 +332,11 @@ impl RepoManager {
                 name TEXT NOT NULL,
                 FOREIGN KEY(package_id) REFERENCES packages(id)
             );
+            CREATE TABLE groups (
+                package_id INTEGER,
+                name TEXT NOT NULL,
+                FOREIGN KEY(package_id) REFERENCES packages(id)
+            );
             CREATE TABLE files (
                 package_id INTEGER,
                 path TEXT NOT NULL,
@@ -348,6 +355,7 @@ impl RepoManager {
              CREATE INDEX idx_replaces_name ON replaces(name);
              CREATE INDEX idx_dependencies_name ON dependencies(name);
              CREATE INDEX idx_dependencies_kind ON dependencies(kind);
+             CREATE INDEX idx_groups_name ON groups(name);
              CREATE INDEX idx_repo_files_path ON files(path);",
         )
         .context("Failed to create repo DB indexes")?;
@@ -380,6 +388,7 @@ impl RepoManager {
         let mut replaces = Vec::new();
         let mut runtime_dependencies = Vec::new();
         let mut optional_dependencies = Vec::new();
+        let mut groups = Vec::new();
         let mut archive_files = Vec::new();
 
         {
@@ -478,6 +487,17 @@ impl RepoManager {
                             .map(String::from)
                             .collect();
                     }
+                    if let Some(groups_arr) = metadata
+                        .get("dependencies")
+                        .and_then(|v| v.get("groups"))
+                        .and_then(|v| v.as_array())
+                    {
+                        groups = groups_arr
+                            .iter()
+                            .filter_map(|v| v.as_str())
+                            .map(String::from)
+                            .collect();
+                    }
                     continue;
                 }
 
@@ -526,6 +546,7 @@ impl RepoManager {
             replaces,
             runtime_dependencies,
             optional_dependencies,
+            groups,
             archive_files,
         })
     }
@@ -550,6 +571,7 @@ impl RepoManager {
             replaces,
             runtime_dependencies,
             optional_dependencies,
+            groups,
             archive_files,
         } = indexed;
 
@@ -608,6 +630,12 @@ impl RepoManager {
                 params![package_id, dep],
             )?;
         }
+        for group in groups {
+            conn.execute(
+                "INSERT INTO groups (package_id, name) VALUES (?1, ?2)",
+                params![package_id, group],
+            )?;
+        }
 
         for file_path in archive_files {
             conn.execute(
@@ -1681,6 +1709,26 @@ fn query_package_optional_deps(conn: &Connection, package_id: i64) -> Result<Vec
     Ok(rows.filter_map(|r| r.ok()).collect())
 }
 
+fn query_package_groups(conn: &Connection, package_id: i64) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+    let has_groups_table: bool = conn
+        .query_row(
+            "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='groups'",
+            [],
+            |r| {
+                let n: i64 = r.get(0)?;
+                Ok(n > 0)
+            },
+        )
+        .unwrap_or(false);
+    if !has_groups_table {
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
+
+    let mut stmt = conn.prepare("SELECT name FROM groups WHERE package_id = ?1 ORDER BY name")?;
+    let rows = stmt.query_map(params![package_id], |row| row.get(0))?;
+    Ok(rows.filter_map(|r| r.ok()).collect())
+}
+
 fn find_cached_binary_repo_packages(
     repo_name: &str,
     db_path: &Path,
@@ -1770,6 +1818,7 @@ fn find_cached_binary_repo_packages(
                 replaces: Vec::new(),
                 runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
                 optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+                groups: Vec::new(),
             },
         ))
     })?;
@@ -1782,6 +1831,113 @@ fn find_cached_binary_repo_packages(
         rec.replaces = query_package_replaces(&conn, package_id)?;
         rec.runtime_dependencies = query_package_runtime_deps(&conn, package_id)?;
         rec.optional_dependencies = query_package_optional_deps(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.groups = query_package_groups(&conn, package_id)?;
+        out.push(rec);
+    }
+    Ok(out)
+}
+
+fn find_cached_binary_repo_packages_by_group(
+    repo_name: &str,
+    db_path: &Path,
+    group: &str,
+) -> Result<Vec<BinaryRepoPackageRecord>> {
+    let conn = Connection::open(db_path)
+        .with_context(|| format!("Failed to open binary repo DB {}", db_path.display()))?;
+
+    let has_groups_table: bool = conn
+        .query_row(
+            "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='groups'",
+            [],
+            |r| {
+                let n: i64 = r.get(0)?;
+                Ok(n > 0)
+            },
+        )
+        .unwrap_or(false);
+    if !has_groups_table {
+        return Ok(Vec::new());
+    }
+
+    let completed_at_expr = if repo_packages_have_completed_at(&conn)? {
+        "p.completed_at"
+    } else {
+        "NULL"
+    };
+    let real_name_expr = if repo_packages_have_real_name(&conn)? {
+        "p.real_name"
+    } else {
+        "NULL"
+    };
+    let abi_breaking_expr = if repo_packages_have_abi_breaking(&conn)? {
+        "p.abi_breaking"
+    } else {
+        "0"
+    };
+    let sql = format!(
+        "SELECT
+            p.id,
+            p.name,
+            {real_name_expr},
+            p.version,
+            p.revision,
+            {abi_breaking_expr},
+            {completed_at_expr},
+            p.filename,
+            p.size,
+            p.sha256,
+            p.sha512,
+            p.description,
+            p.homepage,
+            p.license
+         FROM packages p
+         WHERE EXISTS (
+            SELECT 1 FROM groups g
+            WHERE g.package_id = p.id
+              AND lower(g.name) = lower(?1)
+         )
+         ORDER BY p.name ASC"
+    );
+    let mut stmt = conn.prepare(&sql)?;
+
+    let rows = stmt.query_map(params![group], |row| {
+        let package_id = row.get::<_, i64>(0)?;
+        Ok((
+            package_id,
+            BinaryRepoPackageRecord {
+                repo_name: repo_name.to_string(),
+                name: row.get(1)?,
+                real_name: row.get(2)?,
+                version: row.get(3)?,
+                revision: row.get::<_, i64>(4)? as u32,
+                abi_breaking: row.get(5)?,
+                completed_at: row.get(6)?,
+                filename: row.get(7)?,
+                size: row.get::<_, i64>(8)? as u64,
+                sha256: row.get(9)?,
+                sha512: row.get(10)?,
+                description: row.get(11)?,
+                homepage: row.get(12)?,
+                license: row.get(13)?,
+                provides: Vec::new(),
+                conflicts: Vec::new(),
+                replaces: Vec::new(),
+                runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+                optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+                groups: Vec::new(),
+            },
+        ))
+    })?;
+
+    let mut out = Vec::new();
+    for row in rows {
+        let (package_id, mut rec) = row?;
+        rec.provides = query_package_provides(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.conflicts = query_package_conflicts(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.replaces = query_package_replaces(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.runtime_dependencies = query_package_runtime_deps(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.optional_dependencies = query_package_optional_deps(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.groups = query_package_groups(&conn, package_id)?;
         out.push(rec);
     }
     Ok(out)
@@ -1854,6 +2010,7 @@ fn list_cached_binary_repo_packages(
                 replaces: Vec::new(),
                 runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
                 optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+                groups: Vec::new(),
             },
         ))
     })?;
@@ -1866,6 +2023,7 @@ fn list_cached_binary_repo_packages(
         rec.replaces = query_package_replaces(&conn, package_id)?;
         rec.runtime_dependencies = query_package_runtime_deps(&conn, package_id)?;
         rec.optional_dependencies = query_package_optional_deps(&conn, package_id)?;
+        rec.groups = query_package_groups(&conn, package_id)?;
         out.push(rec);
     }
     Ok(out)
@@ -1949,6 +2107,18 @@ pub fn find_binary_repo_packages(
     find_cached_binary_repo_packages(repo_name, &db_path, query)
 }
 
+/// Resolve package records that belong to the named group from a binary repo.
+pub fn find_binary_repo_packages_by_group(
+    repo_name: &str,
+    repo: &crate::config::BinaryRepo,
+    rootfs: &Path,
+    package_cache_dir: &Path,
+    group: &str,
+) -> Result<Vec<BinaryRepoPackageRecord>> {
+    let db_path = fetch_binary_repo_db(repo_name, repo, rootfs, package_cache_dir)?;
+    find_cached_binary_repo_packages_by_group(repo_name, &db_path, group)
+}
+
 /// List all binary packages from a cached, verified repository database.
 pub fn list_binary_repo_packages(
     repo_name: &str,
@@ -2716,6 +2886,33 @@ revision = 1
         assert_eq!(provide_hits[0].name, "foo");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn test_find_cached_binary_repo_packages_by_group() {
+        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let db_path = tmp.path().join("repo.db");
+        let mut conn = Connection::open(&db_path).unwrap();
+        let manager = RepoManager::new(tmp.path().to_path_buf());
+        manager.init_repo_schema(&mut conn).unwrap();
+
+        conn.execute(
+            "INSERT INTO packages (id, name, version, revision, description, homepage, license, filename, size, sha256, sha512)
+             VALUES (1, 'foo', '1.2.3', 1, 'Foo package', 'https://example.test', 'MIT', 'foo-1.2.3-1-x86_64.depot.pkg.tar.zst', 1234, 'a', 'b')",
+            [],
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        conn.execute(
+            "INSERT INTO groups (package_id, name) VALUES (1, 'base')",
+            [],
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        drop(conn);
+
+        let hits = find_cached_binary_repo_packages_by_group("testrepo", &db_path, "base").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(hits.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(hits[0].name, "foo");
+        assert_eq!(hits[0].groups, vec!["base".to_string()]);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     #[cfg(unix)]
     fn test_repo_owns_query_candidates_follow_rootfs_symlink_targets() {
@@ -2819,6 +3016,7 @@ revision = 1
             replaces: Vec::new(),
             runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
             optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         };
 
         verify_binary_package_record_checksums(&pkg, &rec).unwrap();
@@ -2858,6 +3056,7 @@ revision = 1
             replaces: Vec::new(),
             runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
             optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
 

src/deps.rs

@@ -608,6 +608,7 @@ mod tests {
                 runtime: Vec::new(),
                 test: vec!["bats".into(), "python".into()],
                 optional: Vec::new(),
+                groups: Vec::new(),
                 lib32: None,
             },
             package_alternatives: Default::default(),
@@ -657,6 +658,7 @@ mod tests {
                 runtime: vec!["python".into()],
                 test: Vec::new(),
                 optional: Vec::new(),
+                groups: Vec::new(),
                 lib32: None,
             },
             package_alternatives: Default::default(),
@@ -715,6 +717,7 @@ mod tests {
                 runtime: vec!["foo-libs".into(), "libfoo".into(), "python".into()],
                 test: Vec::new(),
                 optional: Vec::new(),
+                groups: Vec::new(),
                 lib32: None,
             },
             package_alternatives: std::collections::BTreeMap::from([(
@@ -747,6 +750,7 @@ mod tests {
             runtime: vec!["foo".into()],
             test: Vec::new(),
             optional: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         });
 
         let missing = check_runtime_deps_for_outputs(

src/package/interactive.rs

@@ -655,6 +655,14 @@ pub fn create_interactive() -> Result<PackageSpec> {
         "Optional dependency",
         "Package that enables optional runtime functionality",
     )?;
+    let groups = if show_advanced {
+        prompt_repeating_list(
+            "Package group",
+            "Group name(s) this package belongs to, e.g. base, desktop, development",
+        )?
+    } else {
+        Vec::new()
+    };
     let alternatives = if show_advanced {
         Alternatives {
             provides: prompt_repeating_list(
@@ -696,6 +704,7 @@ pub fn create_interactive() -> Result<PackageSpec> {
             runtime: runtime_deps,
             test: test_deps,
             optional: optional_deps,
+            groups,
             lib32: None,
         },
         package_alternatives: Default::default(),
@@ -1504,6 +1513,7 @@ pub fn spec_to_minimal_toml(spec: &PackageSpec) -> anyhow::Result<String> {
         || !spec.dependencies.runtime.is_empty()
         || !spec.dependencies.test.is_empty()
         || !spec.dependencies.optional.is_empty()
+        || !spec.dependencies.groups.is_empty()
     {
         let mut dep_tbl = Table::new();
         if !spec.dependencies.build.is_empty() {
@@ -1554,6 +1564,18 @@ pub fn spec_to_minimal_toml(spec: &PackageSpec) -> anyhow::Result<String> {
                 ),
             );
         }
+        if !spec.dependencies.groups.is_empty() {
+            dep_tbl.insert(
+                "groups".into(),
+                Value::Array(
+                    spec.dependencies
+                        .groups
+                        .iter()
+                        .map(|s| Value::String(s.clone()))
+                        .collect(),
+                ),
+            );
+        }
         root.insert("dependencies".into(), Value::Table(dep_tbl));
     }
 
@@ -1600,6 +1622,17 @@ pub fn spec_to_minimal_toml(spec: &PackageSpec) -> anyhow::Result<String> {
                     ),
                 );
             }
+            if !deps.groups.is_empty() {
+                dep_tbl.insert(
+                    "groups".into(),
+                    Value::Array(
+                        deps.groups
+                            .iter()
+                            .map(|s| Value::String(s.clone()))
+                            .collect(),
+                    ),
+                );
+            }
             if !dep_tbl.is_empty() {
                 outputs_tbl.insert(pkg_name.clone(), Value::Table(dep_tbl));
             }
@@ -1999,6 +2032,7 @@ mod tests {
                 runtime: vec![],
                 test: vec!["python".into(), "bats".into()],
                 optional: vec!["gtk-doc".into()],
+                groups: vec!["base".into(), "devtools".into()],
                 lib32: None,
             },
             package_alternatives: Default::default(),
@@ -2023,6 +2057,14 @@ mod tests {
             .expect("expected dependencies.optional array");
         assert_eq!(optional_deps.len(), 1);
         assert_eq!(optional_deps[0].as_str(), Some("gtk-doc"));
+        let groups = val
+            .get("dependencies")
+            .and_then(|d| d.get("groups"))
+            .and_then(|t| t.as_array())
+            .expect("expected dependencies.groups array");
+        assert_eq!(groups.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(groups[0].as_str(), Some("base"));
+        assert_eq!(groups[1].as_str(), Some("devtools"));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2133,6 +2175,7 @@ mod tests {
                 runtime: vec!["foo".into(), "bar".into()],
                 test: Vec::new(),
                 optional: Vec::new(),
+                groups: vec!["base".into()],
                 lib32: None,
             },
             package_alternatives: Default::default(),

src/package/packager.rs

@@ -228,6 +228,17 @@ impl Packager {
                     .collect(),
             ),
         );
+        deps.insert(
+            "groups".to_string(),
+            toml::Value::Array(
+                self.spec
+                    .dependencies
+                    .groups
+                    .iter()
+                    .map(|s| toml::Value::String(s.clone()))
+                    .collect(),
+            ),
+        );
         map.insert("dependencies".to_string(), toml::Value::Table(deps));
         if !self.spec.build.flags.keep.is_empty() {
             map.insert(

src/package/spec.rs

@@ -1899,9 +1899,11 @@ type = "custom"
 
 [dependencies]
 runtime = ["base"]
+groups = ["toolchain"]
 
 [package_dependencies.clang]
 runtime = ["llvm-libs", "llvm-libgcc"]
+groups = ["compiler"]
 
 [package_dependencies.llvm-libs]
 runtime = ["llvm-libgcc", "zstd"]
@@ -1914,14 +1916,26 @@ runtime = ["llvm-libgcc", "zstd"]
             spec.dependencies_for_output("llvm").runtime,
             vec!["base".to_string()]
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            spec.dependencies_for_output("llvm").groups,
+            vec!["toolchain".to_string()]
+        );
         assert_eq!(
             spec.dependencies_for_output("clang").runtime,
             vec!["llvm-libs".to_string(), "llvm-libgcc".to_string()]
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            spec.dependencies_for_output("clang").groups,
+            vec!["compiler".to_string()]
+        );
         assert_eq!(
             spec.dependencies_for_output("llvm-libs").runtime,
             vec!["llvm-libgcc".to_string(), "zstd".to_string()]
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            spec.dependencies_for_output("llvm-libs").groups,
+            Vec::<String>::new()
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -1949,11 +1963,13 @@ type = "custom"
 
 [dependencies]
 runtime = ["base"]
+groups = ["toolchain"]
 
 [dependencies.lib32]
 build = ["gcc-multilib"]
 runtime = ["lib32-zlib"]
 test = ["bats"]
+groups = ["lib32-toolchain"]
 "#,
         )
         .unwrap();
@@ -1963,6 +1979,10 @@ test = ["bats"]
             spec.dependencies_for_output("llvm").runtime,
             vec!["base".to_string()]
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            spec.dependencies_for_output("llvm").groups,
+            vec!["toolchain".to_string()]
+        );
         assert_eq!(
             spec.dependencies_for_output("lib32-llvm").build,
             vec!["gcc-multilib".to_string()]
@@ -1975,6 +1995,10 @@ test = ["bats"]
             spec.dependencies_for_output("lib32-llvm").test,
             vec!["bats".to_string()]
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            spec.dependencies_for_output("lib32-llvm").groups,
+            vec!["lib32-toolchain".to_string()]
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2274,6 +2298,7 @@ type = "meta"
 
 [dependencies]
 runtime = ["foo", "bar"]
+groups = ["base"]
 "#,
         )
         .unwrap();
@@ -2283,6 +2308,7 @@ runtime = ["foo", "bar"]
         assert!(spec.manual_sources.is_empty());
         assert!(spec.is_metapackage());
         assert_eq!(spec.dependencies.runtime, vec!["foo", "bar"]);
+        assert_eq!(spec.dependencies.groups, vec!["base"]);
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -3803,6 +3829,9 @@ impl fmt::Display for PackageSpec {
         if !self.alternatives.replaces.is_empty() {
             writeln!(f, "Replaces: {}", self.alternatives.replaces.join(", "))?;
         }
+        if !self.dependencies.groups.is_empty() {
+            writeln!(f, "Groups: {}", self.dependencies.groups.join(", "))?;
+        }
         Ok(())
     }
 }
@@ -4786,6 +4815,9 @@ pub struct DependencyGroup {
     /// Optional runtime integrations that enhance functionality when installed.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub optional: Vec<String>,
+    /// Package groups associated with this package output.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub groups: Vec<String>,
 }
 
 impl DependencyGroup {
@@ -4795,6 +4827,7 @@ impl DependencyGroup {
             runtime: self.runtime.clone(),
             test: self.test.clone(),
             optional: self.optional.clone(),
+            groups: self.groups.clone(),
             lib32: None,
         }
     }
@@ -4815,6 +4848,9 @@ pub struct Dependencies {
     /// Optional runtime integrations that enhance functionality when installed.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub optional: Vec<String>,
+    /// Package groups associated with this package.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub groups: Vec<String>,
     /// Optional dependency overrides used only for the generated `lib32-*` companion package.
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub lib32: Option<DependencyGroup>,
@@ -4828,6 +4864,7 @@ impl Dependencies {
             runtime: self.runtime.clone(),
             test: self.test.clone(),
             optional: self.optional.clone(),
+            groups: self.groups.clone(),
             lib32: None,
         }
     }

src/package/starbuild.rs

@@ -514,6 +514,7 @@ impl ParsedStarbuild {
             runtime: dedupe_preserve_order(self.dependencies.clone()),
             test: Vec::new(),
             optional: dedupe_preserve_order(self.optional_dependencies.clone()),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
             lib32: None,
         };
         let mut alternatives = Alternatives {
@@ -544,6 +545,7 @@ impl ParsedStarbuild {
                                 .cloned()
                                 .unwrap_or_default(),
                         ),
+                        groups: Vec::new(),
                         lib32: None,
                     },
                 );

src/planner.rs

@@ -942,6 +942,7 @@ mod tests {
                 runtime: vec!["foo-libs".into(), "zlib".into()],
                 test: vec!["bats".into()],
                 optional: vec!["docs-viewer".into()],
+                groups: Vec::new(),
                 lib32: None,
             },
             package_alternatives: BTreeMap::from([(
@@ -960,6 +961,7 @@ mod tests {
                     runtime: vec!["foo-libs".into(), "libfoo".into(), "openssl".into()],
                     test: Vec::new(),
                     optional: Vec::new(),
+                    groups: Vec::new(),
                     lib32: None,
                 },
             )]),
@@ -999,6 +1001,7 @@ mod tests {
                     replaces: Vec::new(),
                     runtime_dependencies: Vec::new(),
                     optional_dependencies: Vec::new(),
+                    groups: Vec::new(),
                 }),
             },
             match_kind: MatchKind::Exact,
@@ -1057,6 +1060,7 @@ mod tests {
             runtime: vec!["lib32-zlib".into()],
             test: vec!["lib32-bats".into()],
             optional: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         });
 
         let deps = source_deps_for_install(&spec, true, true);
@@ -1077,6 +1081,7 @@ mod tests {
             runtime: vec!["lib32-zlib".into()],
             test: vec!["lib32-bats".into()],
             optional: Vec::new(),
+            groups: Vec::new(),
         });
 
         let deps = source_deps_for_install(&spec, true, false);