ManageIQ Workflow Automate Importer

This command line utility enables the use of git feature branches on top of the default ManageIQ Automate Export/Import scripts.

The Problem

ManageIQ handles multiple code trees (Automate Domains) using a priority based lookup, this limits the codebase to one master and one shared develop branch for all developers.

At the same time it is common for ManageIQ deployments to have a shared DEV environment, as custom Automate Methods often depend on:

• External services called via REST
• Additional permissions (e.g. firewall clearing, administrative accounts, ...)

How does miq-flow help?

miq-flow uses the version history in git to enable "feature-domains", which avoid the lookup problem (Details).

• Multiple people can work on the same appliance at the same time (but not on the same method)
• Promoting code is no longer a all-or-nothing decision
• Pull-Requests and Commit-Squashing work the way you expect them to work
• Code is cloned from a remote repository, if it is not already on the appliance
• Manual changes on the WebUI are still possible (Details)

How do I use it?

• Download and install the miq_flow gem from GitHub
• Configure miq-flow:
  • Use CLI parameter (see miq-flow help) or environment variables
  • Download and edit the configuration file: curl -o ~/.miqflow.yaml https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ThomasBuchinger/miq-flow/master/config.yaml
• Run ./bin/miq-flow deploy BRANCH with the correct --provider option:
  • local: This provider assumes running on a ManageIQ Appliance and uses the evm:automate:import rake task (you want to use this one)
  • noop: Preview what the miq-flow would do, without modifying ManageIQ

For additional instructions see the full installation guide or run miq-flow from source

Commands

See miq-flow help for details. Basic Commands are:

• branch list - lists a summary for each branch in git
• branch inspect BRANCH - show details of a given branch
• branch diff BRANCH - (preview) show changes in ManageIQ
• domain list - lists Automate Domains found in ManageIQ
• deploy BRANCH - deploys the code in a feature-branch

Notes

• miq-flow assumes to run on a ManageIQ appliance, since there is no way to remotely import Automate Domains
• Make sure you have Rugged, RestClient and Thor installed (it is on the ManageIQ Appliances).
• miq-flow may checkout a different branch, when used with a local repository