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Cook

Configuration management in Python for the Impatient.

Overview

Cook is a Python-based configuration management tool designed for simplicity and practicality. It provides a declarative way to manage server configurations without the complexity of enterprise frameworks.

Key Features

  • Pure Python Configuration: No YAML or custom DSL required
  • Drift Detection: Automatic detection and correction of configuration drift
  • Recording Mode: Learn from manual changes and generate code
  • SSH Transport: Local or remote execution with sudo support
  • MCP Server Integration: AI-assisted infrastructure management
  • Cross-Platform: Works on Linux and macOS

Core Resources

Cook provides fundamental building blocks for system configuration:

  • File: Manage files, directories, and templates (Jinja2)
  • Package: Install and manage system packages (apt, dnf, pacman, brew)
  • Repository: Manage package repositories and system updates
  • Service: Control systemd and launchctl services
  • Exec: Execute commands with idempotency guards

Quick Example

from cook import File, Package, Service

Package("nginx")

File("/etc/nginx/nginx.conf",
     content="""
     events { worker_connections 1024; }
     http {
         server {
             listen 80;
             location / { return 200 'Hello'; }
         }
     }
     """,
     mode=0o644)

Service("nginx", running=True, enabled=True)

cook plan server.py
cook apply server.py

Use Cases

Cook is designed for:

  • VM provisioning and configuration
  • Container image builds
  • Local development environment setup
  • Server fleet management
  • Migration from cloud to physical servers
  • Infrastructure as code without enterprise overhead

Philosophy

Cook fills the gap between shell scripts and enterprise configuration management. It provides:

  • Testability: Pure Python enables unit and integration testing
  • Observability: Clear logging and state tracking
  • Simplicity: Direct mapping from desired state to implementation
  • Integration: Python ecosystem enables easy customization

Project Status

Cook is in beta with all core features implemented. Production use requires careful testing in your specific environment.

Next Steps