feat(nixos): add Palworld Tracion guest

configs/nixos/guests/palworld.nix

@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+{
+  config,
+  lib,
+  ...
+}:
+let
+  cfg = config.guests.palworld;
+  steamDir = "/data/steamcmd";
+  installDir = "/data/server";
+  stateDir = "/data/state";
+in
+{
+  options.guests.palworld = {
+    steamPath = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.nullOr lib.types.str;
+      default = null;
+      example = "/srv/steamcmd";
+      description = "Host path bind-mounted as SteamCMD's metadata directory.";
+    };
+
+    installPath = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.nullOr lib.types.str;
+      default = null;
+      example = "/srv/palworld/server";
+      description = "Host path bind-mounted as Palworld's server install directory.";
+    };
+
+    statePath = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.nullOr lib.types.str;
+      default = null;
+      example = "/srv/palworld/state";
+      description = "Host path bind-mounted as Palworld's durable state directory.";
+    };
+
+    serverName = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      default = "palworld";
+      description = "Name shown for the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    port = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.port;
+      default = 8211;
+      description = "UDP port for the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    publicIP = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.nullOr lib.types.str;
+      default = null;
+      description = "Public IP address advertised by the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    passwordSecret = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      default = "services/game-servers/password";
+      description = "SOPS secret name containing the Palworld server password.";
+    };
+
+    adminPasswordSecret = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      default = "services/game-servers/password";
+      description = "SOPS secret name containing the Palworld admin password.";
+    };
+  };
+
+  config = lib.mkIf cfg.enable {
+    assertions = [
+      {
+        assertion = cfg.steamPath != null;
+        message = "guests.palworld.steamPath must point at the host directory that stores SteamCMD metadata.";
+      }
+      {
+        assertion = cfg.installPath != null;
+        message = "guests.palworld.installPath must point at the host directory that stores Palworld server files.";
+      }
+      {
+        assertion = cfg.statePath != null;
+        message = "guests.palworld.statePath must point at the host directory that stores Palworld durable state.";
+      }
+    ];
+
+    guests.palworld = {
+      interior.modules.services.games.palworld = {
+        enable = true;
+        inherit (cfg) serverName port publicIP;
+        inherit steamDir installDir stateDir;
+        passwordFile = "/run/secrets/${cfg.passwordSecret}";
+        adminPasswordFile = "/run/secrets/${cfg.adminPasswordSecret}";
+      };
+
+      mounts =
+        {
+          ${steamDir} = {
+            directory = cfg.steamPath;
+            owner = config.registry."stable-uid".${config.networking.hostName}.steamcmd;
+            group = "storage";
+            mode = "0770";
+          };
+          ${installDir} = {
+            directory = cfg.installPath;
+            owner = config.registry."stable-uid".${config.networking.hostName}.steamcmd;
+            group = "storage";
+            mode = "0770";
+          };
+          ${stateDir} = {
+            directory = cfg.statePath;
+            owner = config.registry."stable-uid".${config.networking.hostName}.steamcmd;
+            group = "storage";
+            mode = "0770";
+          };
+          ${"/run/secrets/${cfg.passwordSecret}"} = {
+            file = config.sops.secrets.${cfg.passwordSecret}.path;
+            readOnly = true;
+          };
+        }
+        // lib.optionalAttrs (cfg.adminPasswordSecret != cfg.passwordSecret) {
+          ${"/run/secrets/${cfg.adminPasswordSecret}"} = {
+            file = config.sops.secrets.${cfg.adminPasswordSecret}.path;
+            readOnly = true;
+          };
+        };
+
+      limits = {
+        memory = lib.mkDefault "8G";
+        cpu = lib.mkDefault "400%";
+        tasksMax = lib.mkDefault 2048;
+      };
+    };
+
+    sops.secrets =
+      {
+        ${cfg.passwordSecret} = {
+          owner = "root";
+          group = "storage";
+          mode = "0440";
+        };
+      }
+      // lib.optionalAttrs (cfg.adminPasswordSecret != cfg.passwordSecret) {
+        ${cfg.adminPasswordSecret} = {
+          owner = "root";
+          group = "storage";
+          mode = "0440";
+        };
+      };
+  };
+}

configs/nixos/hosts/pikachu/default.nix

@@ -86,6 +86,25 @@
     };
   };
 
+  guests.palworld = {
+    enable = true;
+    vlan = 20;
+    address = "10.23.20.250";
+    steamPath = "/pikachu/data/steamcmd";
+    installPath = "/pikachu/data/servers/palworld/tracion";
+    statePath = "/pikachu/media/games/servers/palworld/tracion";
+    serverName = "Tracion";
+    adminPasswordSecret = "services/game-servers/admin/password";
+    publicIP = config.guests.palworld.address;
+    reverseProxy = {
+      enable = true;
+      route = {
+        domain = "palworld.alexion.dev";
+        udp.ports = [ config.guests.palworld.port ];
+      };
+    };
+  };
+
   guests.actualbudget = {
     enable = true;
     vlan = 20;

configs/nixos/modules/services/games/palworld.nix

@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+{
+  config,
+  lib,
+  pkgs,
+  ...
+}:
+{
+  options.modules.services.games.palworld = {
+    enable = lib.mkEnableOption "Palworld dedicated server";
+
+    steamDir = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      example = "/data/steamcmd";
+      description = "Directory where SteamCMD stores metadata and cache files.";
+    };
+
+    installDir = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      example = "/data/servers/palworld/tracion";
+      description = "Directory where SteamCMD installs the Palworld server files.";
+    };
+
+    stateDir = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      example = "/data/state/palworld/tracion";
+      description = "Directory where Palworld stores durable server state.";
+    };
+
+    serverName = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.str;
+      default = "palworld";
+      description = "Name shown for the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    port = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.port;
+      default = 8211;
+      description = "UDP port for the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    publicIP = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.nullOr lib.types.str;
+      default = null;
+      description = "Public IP address advertised by the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    maxPlayers = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.ints.between 1 32;
+      default = 32;
+      description = "Maximum player count for the Palworld server.";
+    };
+
+    publicLobby = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.bool;
+      default = true;
+      description = "Advertise the server in Palworld's public lobby.";
+    };
+
+    rcon = {
+      enable = lib.mkEnableOption "Palworld RCON" // {
+        default = true;
+      };
+
+      port = lib.mkOption {
+        type = lib.types.port;
+        default = 25575;
+        description = "TCP port for Palworld RCON.";
+      };
+    };
+
+    passwordFile = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.path;
+      description = "Runtime file containing the Palworld server password.";
+    };
+
+    adminPasswordFile = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.path;
+      description = "Runtime file containing the Palworld admin password.";
+    };
+  };
+
+  config = lib.mkIf config.modules.services.games.palworld.enable (
+    let
+      service = config.modules.services.games.palworld;
+      savedDir = "${service.installDir}/Pal/Saved";
+      startScript = pkgs.writeShellScript "palworld-start" ''
+        set -eu
+
+        ${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/install -d \
+          -m 0770 \
+          ${lib.escapeShellArg service.stateDir} \
+          ${lib.escapeShellArg (builtins.dirOf savedDir)}
+
+        if [ -L ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir} ]; then
+          current_target="$(${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/readlink ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir})"
+          if [ "$current_target" != ${lib.escapeShellArg service.stateDir} ]; then
+            ${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/rm ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir}
+          fi
+        fi
+
+        if [ -d ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir} ] && [ ! -L ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir} ]; then
+          if ${pkgs.findutils}/bin/find ${lib.escapeShellArg service.stateDir} -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 | ${pkgs.gnugrep}/bin/grep -q .; then
+            ${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/rm -rf ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir}
+          else
+            ${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/cp -a ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir}/. ${lib.escapeShellArg service.stateDir}/
+            ${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/rm -rf ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir}
+          fi
+        fi
+
+        if [ ! -e ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir} ]; then
+          ${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/ln -s ${lib.escapeShellArg service.stateDir} ${lib.escapeShellArg savedDir}
+        fi
+
+        password="$(${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/tr -d '\n' < ${lib.escapeShellArg service.passwordFile})"
+        admin_password="$(${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/tr -d '\n' < ${lib.escapeShellArg service.adminPasswordFile})"
+
+        exec ./PalServer.sh \
+          "$@" \
+          "-serverpassword=$password" \
+          "-adminpassword=$admin_password"
+      '';
+    in
+    {
+      modules.services.steamcmd = {
+        enable = true;
+        inherit (service) steamDir installDir stateDir;
+        serviceName = "palworld-${lib.toLower service.serverName}";
+        appId = 2394010;
+        executable = "${startScript}";
+        arguments =
+          [
+            "-useperfthreads"
+            "-NoAsyncLoadingThread"
+            "-UseMultithreadForDS"
+            "-port=${toString service.port}"
+            "-publicport=${toString service.port}"
+            "-servername=${service.serverName}"
+            "-players=${toString service.maxPlayers}"
+          ]
+          ++ lib.optional service.publicLobby "-publiclobby"
+          ++ lib.optionals (service.publicIP != null) [ "-publicip=${service.publicIP}" ]
+          ++ lib.optional service.rcon.enable "-rcon";
+        udpPorts = [ service.port ];
+        tcpPorts = [ service.port ];
+      };
+    }
+  );
+}

configs/nixos/modules/services/steamcmd.nix

@@ -59,6 +59,12 @@
       default = [ ];
       description = "UDP ports opened for the game service.";
     };
+
+    tcpPorts = lib.mkOption {
+      type = lib.types.listOf lib.types.port;
+      default = [ ];
+      description = "TCP ports opened for the game service.";
+    };
   };
 
   config = lib.mkMerge [
@@ -159,6 +165,7 @@
         };
 
         networking.firewall.allowedUDPPorts = service.udpPorts;
+        networking.firewall.allowedTCPPorts = service.tcpPorts;
       }
     ))
   ];

configs/nixos/modules/shell/fish/functions/deploy-to.fish

@@ -18,13 +18,6 @@ or begin
     return 2
 end
 
-set untracked_lines (git status --porcelain --untracked-files=normal | string match -r '^\?\? ')
-if test (count $untracked_lines) -gt 0
-    echo "deploy-to: refusing to deploy untracked files" >&2
-    echo "deploy-to: git add new files that Nix must see, or remove them" >&2
-    return 1
-end
-
 git fetch origin
 or return $status
 

configs/nixos/secrets/shared.yaml

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ services:
                 password: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:SSyo2l6tCjgjxIuCEREIxU+inw2WHtJJR0/IEKUqefFfuAdA5Nf+lH/jfPw=,iv:9225w1Yur3KL3dBr1ct1aPvDdVJ94O8q9qAUiRrj8Nc=,tag:qZgx4XieVq4BcxkTZc0KGQ==,type:str]
     game-servers:
         password: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:Wtq03MLRnc6/,iv:HhbiP8ZcltVGbCNDdP/gH5mCZXhVCTFv1DGzfrrgQG8=,tag:srsqcBQSD/HU8zFsuFimJQ==,type:str]
+        admin:
+            password: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:52jwSCfV,iv:MQf1VOHnGBf2yF+9SXk04FniAjghSaZe2Gn/xvAXU/0=,tag:SnrJFlHwOaM6vsNLBc84nw==,type:str]
 sops:
     age:
         - enc: |
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ sops:
             28uWUpKzzgErq1aEbKNgh4cU5TH2RlAHjtzRC3ARUu9hlW6lnB4pSw==
             -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
           recipient: age1wf5s0n0tgt6ld2ysgu9dc67mj8ylwecgl4utzg7hqwy3kut9zyms7aglmh
-    lastmodified: "2026-09-10T13:40:57Z"
-    mac: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:3nu+ho3TNDnGE55LIaHqJxlMs1hWVK2wwiJiBIDH0jop9Wo/AgaUXzwXY1MwMXJHhGrkcjhwWWJdEgxX88NNFTc59b4kLtRqE3bfNXoQ3y3giyDMFyVE9YCNd4jyl+pLhpVSZA/+TKEIBpdZRwaXHrYSaLtysg/OdzXing0l3SM=,iv:C/vZ6X1HikuBn+pWTlPIfCfg5mtW2i4P6XLwN1VwF6k=,tag:UQl10fueTwCtXuirP5+C/g==,type:str]
+    lastmodified: "2026-09-10T18:32:33Z"
+    mac: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:g3xIylSvyn5Z0JBA8siFmMrZxoM3a3U5c+f9qFmb3zXDLF03/feCUlvG2jjB7P2N9phIGSIEOPk1dzZDBMwv6D2hK6MppupV+MIe9diIt0gGARIOJNphrxLDxMHtwcWg6Z20D6tbPl0ECtLI0K9GOtwvI0OXeyYzu5VgFaFlZHw=,iv:TAUVJRXFTKNVA0ORMD7x56WVGjG+zimj3iqEn7urh64=,tag:SeOOV9ZUY4x5Ns0A16F1uw==,type:str]
     unencrypted_suffix: _unencrypted
     version: 3.13.3

docs/.obsidian/workspace.json

@@ -22,6 +22,26 @@
             }
           }
         ]
+      },
+      {
+        "id": "72e6501450a46859",
+        "type": "tabs",
+        "children": [
+          {
+            "id": "06bc3d52246b600b",
+            "type": "leaf",
+            "state": {
+              "type": "markdown",
+              "state": {
+                "file": "00 INBOX/ai/steamcmd servers.md",
+                "mode": "source",
+                "source": true
+              },
+              "icon": "lucide-file",
+              "title": "steamcmd servers"
+            }
+          }
+        ]
       }
     ],
     "direction": "vertical"
@@ -233,13 +253,16 @@
   },
   "active": "0c587e5452c16787",
   "lastOpenFiles": [
+    "00 INBOX/how to setup a steamcmd server.md",
+    "00 INBOX/ai/steamcmd servers.md",
+    "03 wrk/ariadne.md",
+    "00 INBOX/ai/ariadne-cli-skeleton.md",
     "00 INBOX/ai/ariadne-project-goals.md",
+    "TODO.md",
     "00 INBOX/ai/dictionary-cli.md",
     "00 INBOX/ai/dictionary-skill.md",
     "03 wrk/falinks.md",
-    "03 wrk/ariadne.md",
     "03 wrk/machoke.md",
-    "TODO.md",
     "00 INBOX/home assistant agent integration.md",
     "02 notes/falinks public surfaces.md",
     "03 wrk/machoke.md~",
@@ -261,8 +284,6 @@
     "00 INBOX/ai/hoopa design review findings.md",
     "00 INBOX/ai/hoopa follow up decisions.md",
     "01 sources/obsidian and ai were made for each other.md",
-    "99 meta/technical writing.md",
-    "99 meta/dictionary.md",
     "99 meta/Untitled",
     "03 wrk",
     "02 notes",

docs/00 INBOX/how to setup a steamcmd server.md

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+---
+date-created: 2026-09-10 12:01
+---
+
+# How to set up a `steamcmd` server
+
+This note explains how to add a SteamCMD-managed game server to the NixOS configuration.
+
+Use these existing files as examples:
+
+- `configs/nixos/modules/services/steamcmd.nix`
+- `configs/nixos/modules/services/games/valheim.nix`
+- `configs/nixos/guests/valheim.nix`
+- `configs/nixos/hosts/pikachu/default.nix`
+
+## Understand the layers
+
+The shared `steamcmd` module installs and runs a dedicated server.
+It owns the low-level systemd service, update service, user, directories, and firewall ports.
+
+A game module maps game-specific options onto `modules.services.steamcmd`.
+It hides Steam app IDs, executable names, launch arguments, and port calculations.
+
+A guest module maps host-level storage, secrets, and resource limits onto the game module.
+It keeps host paths outside the guest's interior configuration.
+
+A host enables the guest and supplies network placement, storage paths, and routing.
+
+## Create the game module
+
+1. Create `configs/nixos/modules/services/games/<game>.nix`.
+2. Add an option namespace at `modules.services.games.<game>`.
+3. Add an `enable` option with `lib.mkEnableOption`.
+4. Add options for game-specific settings.
+5. Add options for `steamDir`, `installDir`, and `stateDir`.
+6. Use `lib.mkIf config.modules.services.games.<game>.enable` for the module configuration.
+7. Set `modules.services.steamcmd.enable = true`.
+8. Pass `steamDir`, `installDir`, and `stateDir` to `modules.services.steamcmd`.
+9. Set `serviceName` to the game service name.
+10. Set `appId` to the Steam dedicated-server app ID.
+11. Set `executable` to the server executable or a generated wrapper script.
+12. Set `arguments` to the game launch arguments.
+13. Set `udpPorts` to every UDP port the server needs.
+14. Put secrets in runtime files instead of option values.
+15. Read secret files from a wrapper script when the server needs secret values.
+
+Use `configs/nixos/modules/services/games/valheim.nix` as the main pattern.
+It wraps the executable because Valheim receives its password as a command-line argument.
+
+## Create the guest module
+
+1. Create `configs/nixos/guests/<game>.nix`.
+2. Add an option namespace at `guests.<game>`.
+3. Add host-path options for the SteamCMD metadata, install, and state directories.
+4. Give host-path options a `null` default.
+5. Add assertions that require each host path when the guest is enabled.
+6. Define guest-internal paths in a `let` block.
+7. Enable `guests.<game>.interior.modules.services.games.<game>`.
+8. Pass the guest-internal paths to the game module.
+9. Add mounts that bind host paths to the guest-internal paths.
+10. Set directory mount `owner`, `group`, and `mode` together.
+11. Mount secret files under `/run/secrets/...` when the game needs secrets.
+12. Declare matching `sops.secrets` entries for those secret files.
+13. Set conservative default resource limits under `guests.<game>.limits`.
+
+Use `configs/nixos/guests/valheim.nix` as the main pattern.
+It mounts the password secret into the guest and passes only the runtime path inward.
+
+## Enable the guest on a host
+
+1. Open the target host file under `configs/nixos/hosts/<host>/default.nix`.
+2. Set `guests.<game>.enable = true`.
+3. Set `vlan` and `address` for the guest.
+4. Set host storage paths for SteamCMD metadata, server files, and state.
+5. Set game options such as server name and port.
+6. Enable reverse-proxy routing when the server needs external access.
+7. Route every game UDP port exposed by the guest.
+8. Add required secrets to the host's SOPS files.
+
+Use the Valheim section in `configs/nixos/hosts/pikachu/default.nix` as the host-level pattern.
+
+## Test the change
+
+1. Stage new Nix files before evaluation.
+   Flake evaluation ignores untracked files.
+
+   ```console
+   $ git add configs/nixos/modules/services/games/<game>.nix configs/nixos/guests/<game>.nix
+   ```
+
+2. Build the target host configuration.
+
+   ```console
+   $ nixos-rebuild build --flake .#<host>
+   ```
+
+3. Deploy the host when the build succeeds.
+
+   ```console
+   $ sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#<host>
+   ```
+
+4. Enter the guest from the host.
+
+   ```console
+   $ sudo machinectl shell <game>
+   ```
+
+5. Check the update service inside the guest.
+
+   ```console
+   $ systemctl status steamcmd-<game>-update.service
+   ```
+
+6. Check the game service inside the guest.
+
+   ```console
+   $ systemctl status <game>.service
+   ```
+
+7. Inspect the logs when either service fails.
+
+   ```console
+   $ journalctl -u steamcmd-<game>-update.service -u <game>.service
+   ```

docs/TODO.md

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
   - subagents
   - test-driven-development
 
-## pikachu proxmox -> nixos
+## pikachu + pichu proxmox -> nixos
 
 - lidarr (requires raichu)
 - immich
@@ -57,16 +57,60 @@
 - adguard
 - homepage
 
+## raichu proxmox -> nixos
+- dwn torrent (vpn)
+- dwn usenet (vpn)
+- dwn-torrent-novpn
+- prowlarr
+- flaresolverr
+- radarr
+- sonarr
+- radarr-anime
+- sonarr-anime
+- configarr
+- lidarr
+- audiobookshelf
+- portainer
+- seerr
+- plex
+- pterodactyl
+    - palworld old
+    - project zomboid
+    - minecraft
+    - cobblemon
+
 # learning
-- https://www.youtube.com/@EeroAlvar/videos
+- YouTube
+    - EeroAlvar
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzhLFiblPUk
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQGAwD9vkLo
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhtExS5UQBI
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xO9OsCBC4
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWWrLlM3gwQ
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHL-gmkzC-4
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRVYUkM16hE
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxdvzenLcl4
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdbpIpPSPwQ
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHsq0klC_4g
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciC6ffUqI8k
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYxZt9Qe0fk
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tqty8ltKDA
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcI5F4tGiU
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKwPaB5TUdI
+        - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-CtdQFRX64
 
 # tech debt
+
+- better remote deployment
+
 ## nix refactor
 ```text
+nixos
 ├── guests
 │   ├── actualbudget.nix
 │   ├── copyparty.nix
-│   └── reverse-proxy.nix
+│   ├── reverse-proxy.nix
+│   └── valheim.nix
 ├── hosts
 │   ├── neogaia
 │   │   ├── default.nix
@@ -120,9 +164,12 @@
 │   │   ├── vlans.nix
 │   │   └── vpn-client.nix
 │   ├── services
+│   │   ├── games
+│   │   │   └── valheim.nix
 │   │   ├── actualbudget.nix
 │   │   ├── copyparty.nix
-│   │   └── reverse-proxy.nix
+│   │   ├── reverse-proxy.nix
+│   │   └── steamcmd.nix
 │   ├── shell
 │   │   ├── direnv
 │   │   │   ├── default.nix