Add comprehensive macOS installation and development guide for Kmesh #216
Description
Problem Statement
The current Kmesh documentation focuses primarily on native Linux installations and doesn't adequately address the specific needs of macOS developers. This creates significant barriers for potential contributors using macOS, especially those with Apple Silicon systems.
Current Documentation Gaps:
- No specific guidance for macOS users (Intel or Apple Silicon)
- Missing UTM virtual machine setup instructions
- Lack of Docker-based development workflow for macOS
- No troubleshooting section for common macOS-specific issues
- Architecture-specific considerations (ARM64 vs x86_64) not documented
Impact on Community:
- macOS developers face compilation errors and setup challenges
- Potential contributors are deterred by incomplete documentation
- Lost opportunity for broader community participation
- Inconsistent development environments across platforms
Proposed Solution
Add a comprehensive macOS installation and development guide that addresses the unique challenges macOS users face when working with Kmesh.
Scope of Documentation:
1. Platform-Specific Setup Guide
- UTM Virtual Machine Setup (recommended for Apple Silicon)
- Ubuntu ARM64 installation in UTM
- VM configuration optimization
- Development environment setup
- Docker Desktop Approach (Intel and Apple Silicon)
- Container-based build workflows
- Cross-platform considerations
2. Development Workflow
- Building Kmesh from source on macOS
- Running unit tests and integration tests
- Docker-based testing strategies
- Performance optimization tips
3. Troubleshooting Section
- Common compilation errors and solutions
- eBPF-related issues on virtualized environments
- Go version compatibility problems
- Docker permission and access issues
- Missing dependencies (securec.h, libbpf, etc.)
4. Architecture Considerations
- ARM64 vs x86_64 build differences
- Container image selection
- Kubernetes cluster setup (kind, minikube)
Success Criteria
- macOS users can successfully set up Kmesh development environment
- All common setup issues have documented solutions
- Instructions tested on both Intel and Apple Silicon platforms
- Documentation integrated with existing Kmesh docs
- Community feedback incorporated
Additional Context
This enhancement addresses issue #600 and supports the broader goal of making Kmesh more accessible to developers across different platforms. The documentation will be structured to complement existing guides while providing platform-specific guidance where needed.
Related Work
- Building on existing Quick Start guide
- Complementing developer guide documentation
- Supporting testing guide improvements (PR #1468)
- Enhancing L7 feature documentation (PR #1469)