[FEATURE] AI-powered dependency conflict prediction

[mikejmorgan-ai]

Problem

Library dependency conflicts are the #1 cause of failed installations. Current tools (apt, dpkg) report errors AFTER the fact rather than preventing them.

Solution (from Ed's feedback)

AI-powered dependency management that:

• Predicts conflicts BEFORE installation starts
• Understands transitive dependencies
• Suggests resolution strategies
• Learns from successful/failed installs

Different from cortexlinux/cortex-distro#26

Issue cortexlinux/cortex-distro#26 is about optimizing the dependency tree. This issue is about AI-powered PREDICTION of conflicts before they happen.

Example UX

$ cortex install tensorflow
⚠️  Conflict predicted: tensorflow 2.15 requires numpy<2.0
    Your system has numpy 2.1.0 (installed by pandas)
    
    Suggestions (ranked by safety):
    1. Install tensorflow 2.16 (compatible with numpy 2.x) [RECOMMENDED]
    2. Downgrade numpy to 1.26.4 (may affect pandas)
    3. Use virtual environment (isolate tensorflow)
    
    Proceed with option 1? [Y/n]

Technical Notes

• Parse /var/lib/dpkg/status for current state
• Build dependency graph from apt-cache
• Train model on common conflict patterns
• Consider integrating with libraries.io API for broader package ecosystem

Acceptance Criteria

• Dependency graph analysis before install
• Conflict prediction with confidence scores
• Resolution suggestions ranked by safety
• Integration with apt/dpkg dependency data
• Works with pip packages too (major pain point)
• CLI output shows prediction and suggestions

Bounty: $150 (+ $150 bonus after funding)

Paid on merge to main.

[bimakw]

Hey, I'll take this one.

Looking at the requirements - the core idea is to build a pre-install conflict detector. My approach:

1. Parse system state - Read /var/lib/dpkg/status + apt-cache depends to build the current dependency graph
2. Simulate install - Before actual install, walk the new package's transitive deps and check version constraints against installed packages
3. Conflict detection - Flag when version ranges don't overlap (e.g. numpy<2.0 vs numpy 2.1.0 installed)
4. Resolution suggestions - Rank by: compatible version available > downgrade impact > venv isolation
5. pip integration - Also check pip list and cross-reference with PyPI metadata for Python packages

Will start with apt/dpkg first, then add pip support. Should have a PR up in a few days.