Subject: [PATCH v3] guix system vm: Add --no-graphic CLI argument.

From: Attila Lendvai <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2021 13:22:02 +0100

It configures QEMU to use the tty it was started in for IO (as opposed to
opening a separate graphical window).  This enables copy-pasting and
scrollback.  Exit QEMU with C-a x.

* gnu/system/vm.scm (system-qemu-image/shared-store-script): Also add the
'-nographic' QEMU argument when called with #:graphic? #false.
(common-qemu-options): Remove '-vga stg'; it is the default since QEMU 2.2.
* guix/scripts/system.scm (system-derivation-for-action): Propagate
the #:graphic? keyword arg.
(perform-action): Add and propagate the #:graphic? keyword arg.
(show-help): Add --no-graphic CLI arg.
(%options): Process the new --no-graphic CLI arg.
(process-action): Feed in the CLI arg through the #:graphic? keyword arg.
* doc/guix.texi (Invoking guix system): Add example to combine guix system and
invoking the vm start script into one command.  Split the description of the
various options into separate paragraphs.  Adde a paragraph to describe
--no-graphic.
---

v3: also remove the '-vga std' from the qemu command line; it's been the
default since forever.

 doc/guix.texi           | 23 +++++++++++++++++++----
 gnu/system/vm.scm       |  3 ++-
 guix/scripts/system.scm | 10 ++++++++++
 3 files changed, 31 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 2a166e3a89..ca670f8971 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -34500,8 +34500,8 @@ passed.
 @cindex virtual machine
 @cindex VM
 @anchor{guix system vm}
-Build a virtual machine that contains the operating system declared in
-@var{file}, and return a script to run that virtual machine (VM).
+Build a virtual machine (VM) that contains the operating system declared
+in @var{file}, and return a script to run that VM.
 
 @quotation Note
 The @code{vm} action and others below
@@ -34520,6 +34520,12 @@ emulated machine:
 $ /gnu/store/@dots{}-run-vm.sh -m 1024 -smp 2 -nic user,model=virtio-net-pci
 @end example
 
+It's possible to combine the two steps into one:
+
+@example
+$ $(guix system vm my-config.scm) -m 1024
+@end example
+
 The VM shares its store with the host system.
 
 Additional file systems can be shared between the host and the VM using
@@ -34543,8 +34549,17 @@ store of the host can then be mounted.
 The @option{--full-boot} option forces a complete boot sequence, starting
 with the bootloader.  This requires more disk space since a root image
 containing at least the kernel, initrd, and bootloader data files must
-be created.  The @option{--image-size} option can be used to specify the
-size of the image.
+be created.
+
+The @option{--image-size} option can be used to specify the size of the
+image.
+
+The @option{--no-graphic} option will instruct @command{guix system} to
+spawn a headless VM that will use the invoking tty for IO.  Among other
+things, this enables copy-pasting, and scrollback.  Use the @kbd{ctrl-a}
+prefix to issue QEMU commands; e.g. @kbd{ctrl-a h} prints a help,
+@kbd{ctrl-a x} quits the VM, and @kbd{ctrl-a c} switches between the
+QEMU monitor and the VM.
 
 @cindex System images, creation in various formats
 @cindex Creating system images in various formats
diff --git a/gnu/system/vm.scm b/gnu/system/vm.scm
index 1e2d8b47c2..f1541cf30c 100644
--- a/gnu/system/vm.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/vm.scm
@@ -712,7 +712,6 @@ (define (virtfs-option fs)
      "-device" "virtio-rng-pci,rng=guixsd-vm-rng"
 
      #$@(map virtfs-option shared-fs)
-     "-vga std"
      (format #f "-drive file=~a,if=virtio,cache=writeback,werror=report,readonly=on"
              #$image)))
 
@@ -754,6 +753,8 @@ (define kernel-arguments
     (define qemu-exec
       #~(list #+(file-append qemu "/bin/"
                              (qemu-command (or target system)))
+              ;; Tells qemu to use the terminal it was started in for IO.
+              #$@(if graphic? '() #~("-nographic"))
               #$@(if full-boot?
                      #~()
                      #~("-kernel" #$(operating-system-kernel-file os)
diff --git a/guix/scripts/system.scm b/guix/scripts/system.scm
index 7faa92fd7d..1675fccf50 100644
--- a/guix/scripts/system.scm
+++ b/guix/scripts/system.scm
@@ -689,6 +689,7 @@ (define file-systems
 (define* (system-derivation-for-action image action
                                        #:key
                                        full-boot?
+                                       (graphic? #t)
                                        container-shared-network?
                                        mappings)
   "Return as a monadic value the derivation for IMAGE according to ACTION."
@@ -706,6 +707,7 @@ (define* (system-derivation-for-action image action
       ((vm)
        (system-qemu-image/shared-store-script os
                                               #:full-boot? full-boot?
+                                              #:graphic? graphic?
                                               #:disk-image-size
                                               (if full-boot?
                                                   image-size
@@ -772,6 +774,7 @@ (define* (perform-action action image
                          dry-run? derivations-only?
                          use-substitutes? target
                          full-boot?
+                         (graphic? #t)
                          container-shared-network?
                          (mappings '())
                          (gc-root #f))
@@ -825,6 +828,7 @@ (define bootcfg
   (mlet* %store-monad
       ((sys       (system-derivation-for-action image action
                                                 #:full-boot? full-boot?
+                                                #:graphic? graphic?
                                                 #:container-shared-network? container-shared-network?
                                                 #:mappings mappings))
 
@@ -1012,6 +1016,8 @@ (define (show-help)
                          register it as a garbage collector root"))
   (display (G_ "
       --full-boot        for 'vm', make a full boot sequence"))
+  (display (G_ "
+      --no-graphic       for 'vm', use the tty that we are started in for IO"))
   (display (G_ "
       --skip-checks      skip file system and initrd module safety checks"))
   (display (G_ "
@@ -1081,6 +1087,9 @@ (define %options
          (option '("full-boot") #f #f
                  (lambda (opt name arg result)
                    (alist-cons 'full-boot? #t result)))
+         (option '("no-graphic") #f #f
+                 (lambda (opt name arg result)
+                   (alist-cons 'no-graphic? #t result)))
          (option '("save-provenance") #f #f
                  (lambda (opt name arg result)
                    (alist-cons 'save-provenance? #t result)))
@@ -1266,6 +1275,7 @@ (define (graph-backend)
                                #:validate-reconfigure
                                (assoc-ref opts 'validate-reconfigure)
                                #:full-boot? (assoc-ref opts 'full-boot?)
+                               #:graphic? (if (assoc-ref opts 'no-graphic?) #f #t)
                                #:container-shared-network?
                                (assoc-ref opts 'container-shared-network?)
                                #:mappings (filter-map (match-lambda
-- 
2.33.0