Add Streamer

add-streamer

Use this skill when you need to add a new streamer backend and wire it cleanly into Thingino's Buildroot selection flow.

When to use

• You are introducing a new streamer package (for example, valisa).
• You need the backend to appear as a selectable streamer option.
• You need defaults and exported STREAMER value to stay consistent across SoC families.

Required plumbing checklist

1. Add a choice symbol in package/thingino-streamer/Config.in:
   • config BR2_PACKAGE_THINGINO_STREAMER_<NAME>
   • select BR2_PACKAGE_<PKG>
   • Gate with depends on !BR2_SOC_FAMILY = "a1" if a1 must not run a streamer.
2. Ensure the package Config.in is tied to the choice symbol:
   • depends on BR2_PACKAGE_THINGINO_STREAMER_<NAME>
3. Source the package Config.in from the streamer block:
   • if BR2_PACKAGE_THINGINO_STREAMER
   • source "$BR2_EXTERNAL_THINGINO_PATH/package/<pkg>/Config.in"
4. Avoid exposing streamer packages outside the streamer selection flow.
5. Update thingino.mk STREAMER mapping:
   • map package enablement to a stable runtime name (for example, STREAMER := valisa)
6. Keep streamer defaults explicit in package/thingino-streamer/Config.in:
   • none for BR2_THINGINO_TOOLCHAIN
   • none for BR2_SOC_FAMILY = "a1" (if a1 has no streamer)
   • desired default streamer for remaining targets

Workflow

1. Edit package/thingino-streamer/Config.in first:
   • add option symbol, help text, dependencies, and default rules.
2. Edit package/<pkg>/Config.in:
   • add dependency on BR2_PACKAGE_THINGINO_STREAMER_<NAME>.
3. Ensure source .../package/<pkg>/Config.in lives under the streamer block in package/thingino-streamer/Config.in.
4. Remove duplicate top-level sourcing from root Config.in if present.
5. Edit thingino.mk:
   • add explicit ifeq branch mapping package symbol to STREAMER value.
   • keep fallback deterministic (none if no streamer selected).

Validation

1. Non-a1 profile:
   • CAMERA=<non_a1_camera> make defconfig
   • verify .config streamer symbols match expected default.
2. a1 profile:
   • CAMERA=<a1_camera> make defconfig
   • verify BR2_PACKAGE_THINGINO_STREAMER_NONE=y.
3. Confirm no unintended symbol exposure:
   • streamer package symbol should follow the streamer choice logic.

Common pitfalls

• Package Config.in sourced at top level, bypassing streamer choice.
• Missing depends on !BR2_SOC_FAMILY = "a1" on streamer options that should exclude a1.
• Default still pointing to an old backend after introducing a new one.
• thingino.mk missing a branch for the new package, causing wrong exported STREAMER.