Rewrite README with accurate docs

.gitignore

@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@ go.work.sum
 # .vscode/
 
 # Binary output
-declpac
+/declpac

.opencode/commands/commit.md

@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 description: Make a git commit, asking if it was by the user or AI
 ---
 
-skill [name=make-commit] $1
+skill [name=make-commit] message: $1

.opencode/skills/make-commit/SKILL.md

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ Make a git commit, distinguishing between user and AI contributions.
 
 **Steps**
 
-1. **Ask user if this commit is by them or by AI**
+1. **[REQUIRED] Ask user if this commit is by them or by AI**
 
    Use the **question tool** to ask:
    > "Was this commit made by you or by AI?"
@@ -27,22 +27,23 @@ Make a git commit, distinguishing between user and AI contributions.
 
 2. **Check for commit message**
 
+   **Capitalization rule**: Commit messages should start with a capital letter,
+   unless it refers to a tool or project that explicitly uses lowercase as its
+   name (e.g., "go", "npm", "rustc").
+
    If the user did NOT provide a commit message, generate one from staged changes:
    ```bash
    git diff --staged --stat
    ```
    Create a reasonable commit message based on the changes.
 
-   **Capitalization rule**: Commit message should start with a capital letter,
+   If thed user DID provide a message, format it into a proper commit message.
-   unless it refers to a tool or project that explicitly uses lowercase as its
-   name (e.g., "go", "npm", "rustc").
 
 3. **Show commit message and confirm**
 
-   Display the commit message to the user.
-
    Use the **question tool** to ask:
    > "Is this commit message okay, or would you like to make tweaks?"
+   > <message>
 
    Options:
    - "Looks good" - Proceed with this message
@@ -50,14 +51,7 @@ Make a git commit, distinguishing between user and AI contributions.
 
    **If user wants tweaks**: Ask them for the new commit message.
 
-4. **Get git user config**
+4. **Make the commit**
-
-   ```bash
-   git config user.name
-   git config user.email
-   ```
-
-5. **Make the commit**
 
    Use the commit message provided by the user.
 
@@ -69,7 +63,7 @@ Make a git commit, distinguishing between user and AI contributions.
 
    **If by AI:**
    ```bash
-   git -c user.name="<git-config-name>" -c user.email="<git-config-email>" commit -m "<message>" --author="AI Bot <ai@local>"
+   git commit -m "<message>" --author="AI Bot <ai@local>"
    ```
    (Uses git config for committer, but sets author to AI Bot)
 

README.md

@@ -1,18 +1,14 @@
 # declpac
 
-`declpac` is a declarative package manager for Arch Linux that syncs your system
+Declarative package manager for Arch Linux that syncs your system with a declared package list using pacman.
-with a declared package list using `pacman`. It ensures your system matches your
-desired state, handling package installation, upgrades, and orphan cleanup
-automatically.
 
 ## Features
 
-- **Declarative state management** — Define your desired package list in files or stdin
+- Declarative state management — define your desired package list in files or stdin
-- **Automatic dependency resolution** — Pacman handles transitive dependencies
+- Smart orphan cleanup — removes packages no longer needed
-- **Smart orphan cleanup** — Removes packages no longer needed
+- Explicit package tracking — marks declared packages as explicit
-- **Explicit package tracking** — Marks your declared packages as explicit
+- AUR support — builds and installs AUR packages automatically
-- **AUR support** — Falls back to AUR for packages not in official repos
+- Machine-readable output — perfect for scripting
-- **Machine-readable output** — Perfect for scripting and automation
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -28,14 +24,13 @@ sudo mv declpac /usr/local/bin/
 ### Dependencies
 
 - Go 1.21+
-- pacman (system package manager)
+- pacman
-- aur (AUR helper, optional for AUR support)
+- makepkg (for AUR support)
-- Root privileges (required for pacman operations)
+- git (for AUR support)
+- Root privileges
 
 ## Usage
 
-### Basic Usage
-
 ```bash
 # Single state file
 sudo declpac --state packages.txt
@@ -45,119 +40,63 @@ sudo declpac --state base.txt --state apps.txt
 
 # From stdin
 cat packages.txt | sudo declpac
+
+# Preview changes without applying
+sudo declpac --dry-run --state packages.txt
 ```
 
 ### State File Format
 
-State files contain one package name per line:
+One package name per line, lines beginning with `#` are comments:
 
 ```
 bash
 vim
 git
 docker
+# this is a comment
 ```
 
-Lines are treated as package names with whitespace trimmed:
+### Options
-
-```
-bash          # bash
-  vim        # vim
-# comment   # ignored
-```
-
-### Command Line Options
 
 | Flag | Alias | Description |
 |------|-------|-------------|
-| `--state` | `-s` | State file(s) to read package list from (can be used multiple times) |
+| `--state` | `-s` | State file to read package list from (can be used multiple times) |
-| `--yes` | `-y` | Skip confirmation prompts (for scripting) |
+| `--dry-run` | | Preview changes without applying them |
-| `--dry-run` | | Simulate sync without making changes |
 | `--help` | `-h` | Show help message |
 
-### Examples
-
-#### Minimal System
-
-```bash
-# Create a minimal system package list
-echo -e "base\nbase-devel\nlinux-headers\nvim\ngit\ncurl\nwget" > ~/.config/declpac/minimal.txt
-
-# Apply the state
-sudo declpac --state ~/.config/declpac/minimal.txt
-```
-
-#### Development Environment
-
-```bash
-# development.txt
-go
-nodejs
-python
-rust
-docker
-docker-compose
-kubectl
-helm
-terraform
-
-# Apply
-sudo declpac --state development.txt
-```
-
-#### Full System Sync
-
-```bash
-# Combine multiple files
-sudo declpac --state ~/.config/declpac/base.txt --state ~/.config/declpac/desktop.txt
-
-# Or use stdin
-cat ~/.config/declpac/full-system.txt | sudo declpac
-```
-
-#### Dry-Run Preview
-
-```bash
-# Preview what would happen without making changes
-sudo declpac --dry-run --state packages.txt
-
-# Example output:
-# Installed 3 packages, removed 2 packages
-# Would install: vim, git, docker
-# Would remove: python2, perl-xml-parser
-```
-
 ## How It Works
 
-1. **Collect packages** — Reads from all `--state` files and stdin
+1. **Read** — Collect packages from all state files and stdin
-2. **Merge** — Combines all packages additively (duplicates allowed)
+2. **Merge** — Combine into single package list
-3. **Validate** — Checks packages exist in repos or AUR
+3. **Categorize** — Check if packages are in official repos or AUR
-4. **Mark explicit** — Marks declared packages as explicit dependencies
+4. **Sync** — Install/update packages via pacman
-5. **Sync** — Runs `pacman -Syu` to install/upgrade packages
+5. **Build** — Build and install AUR packages via makepkg
-6. **Cleanup** — Removes orphaned packages with `pacman -Rns`
+6. **Mark** — Mark declared packages as explicit, all others as dependencies
-7. **Report** — Outputs summary: `Installed X packages, removed Y packages`
+7. **Cleanup** — Remove orphaned packages
 
 ### Database Freshness
 
-If the pacman database is older than 24 hours, `declpac` automatically refreshes it with `pacman -Syy` before validation.
+If the pacman database is older than 24 hours, it is automatically refreshed.
-
-### Orphan Cleanup
 
-After syncing, `declpac` identifies and removes packages that are:
+### Logging
-- Not explicitly installed
-- Not required by any other package
 
-This keeps your system clean from dependency artifacts.
+Operations are logged to `/var/log/declpac.log`.
 
-## Output Format
+## Output
 
 ```
-# Success (packages installed/removed)
+# Packages installed/removed
 Installed 5 packages, removed 2 packages
 
-# Success (no changes)
+# No changes needed
 Installed 0 packages, removed 0 packages
 
+# Dry-run preview
+Installed 3 packages, removed 1 packages
+Would install: vim, git, docker
+Would remove: python2
+
 # Error
 error: package not found: <package-name>
 ```
@@ -167,36 +106,54 @@ error: package not found: <package-name>
 | Code | Meaning |
 |------|---------|
 | 0 | Success |
-| 1 | Error (no packages, validation failure, pacman error) |
+| 1 | Error |
 
-## Security Considerations
+## Examples
 
-- **Run as root** — `declpac` requires root privileges for pacman operations
+### Minimal System
-- **Review state files** — Only install packages from trusted sources
-- **Backup** — Consider backing up your system before major changes
 
-## Troubleshooting
+```bash
+echo -e "base\nbase-devel\nlinux-headers\nvim\ngit\ncurl" > ~/.config/declpac/minimal.txt
+sudo declpac --state ~/.config/declpac/minimal.txt
+```
 
-### "Permission denied"
+### Development Environment
 
-`declpac` requires root privileges. Use `sudo`:
+```bash
+# development.txt
+go
+nodejs
+python
+rust
+docker
+
+sudo declpac --state development.txt
+```
+
+### Dry-Run
 
 ```bash
-sudo declpac --state packages.txt
+sudo declpac --dry-run --state packages.txt
 ```
 
-### "Package not found"
+## Troubleshooting
 
-The package doesn't exist in pacman repos or AUR. Check the package name:
+### Permission denied
 
+Use sudo:
+```bash
+sudo declpac --state packages.txt
+```
+
+### Package not found
+
+Check if the package exists:
 ```bash
 pacman -Ss <package>
 ```
 
 ### Database sync fails
 
-Refresh manually:
-
 ```bash
 sudo pacman -Syy
 ```
@@ -210,11 +167,12 @@ declpac/
 ├── pkg/
 │   ├── input/          # State file/stdin reading
 │   ├── merge/          # Package merging
-│   ├── validation/     # Package validation
+│   ├── fetch/         # Package resolution (pacman/AUR)
-│   ├── pacman/         # Pacman integration
+│   ├── pacman/         # Pacman operations
-│   └── output/         # Output formatting
+│   ├── validation/    # Database freshness check
-├── go.mod              # Go module
+│   ├── output/        # Output formatting
-└── README.md           # This file
+│   └── state/         # Logging
+└── README.md
 ```
 
 ## License

cmd/declpac/main.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/merge"
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/output"
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/pacman"
+	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/state"
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/validation"
 )
 
@@ -34,12 +35,6 @@ func main() {
 				Usage:       "State file(s) to read package list from",
 				Destination: &cfg.StateFiles,
 			},
-			&cli.BoolFlag{
-				Name:        "yes",
-				Aliases:     []string{"y"},
-				Usage:       "Skip confirmation prompts",
-				Destination: &cfg.NoConfirm,
-			},
 			&cli.BoolFlag{
 				Name:        "dry-run",
 				Usage:       "Simulate the sync without making changes",
@@ -57,6 +52,12 @@ func main() {
 }
 
 func run(cfg *Config) error {
+	if err := state.OpenLog(); err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "error: %v\n", err)
+		return err
+	}
+	defer state.Close()
+
 	start := time.Now()
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] run: starting...\n")
 

openspec/changes/add-operation-logging/.openspec.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+schema: spec-driven
+created: 2026-04-15

openspec/changes/add-operation-logging/design.md

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+## Implementation
+
+### Log File Location
+- Path: `/var/log/declpac.log`
+- Single merged log file (stdout + stderr intermingled in order of arrival)
+
+### State-Modifying Functions (need logging)
+1. `SyncPackages()` - `pacman -S --needed <packages>`
+2. `InstallAUR()` - `git clone` + `makepkg -si --noconfirm`
+3. `MarkAllAsDeps()` - `pacman -D --asdeps`
+4. `MarkAsExplicit()` - `pacman -D --asexplicit <packages>`
+5. `CleanupOrphans()` - `pacman -Rns`
+
+### Functions to Skip (read-only)
+- `DryRun()` - queries only
+- `getInstalledCount()` - pacman -Qq
+
+### Execution Patterns
+
+| Pattern | Functions | How |
+|---------|------------|-----|
+| Streaming | MarkAllAsDeps, MarkAsExplicit, InstallAUR | `io.MultiWriter` to tee to both terminal and log |
+| Captured | SyncPackages, CleanupOrphans | capture with `CombinedOutput()`, write to log, write to terminal |
+
+### Error Handling
+- Write error to log BEFORE returning from function
+- Print error to stderr so user sees it
+
+### Dependencies
+- Add to imports: `io`, `os`, `path/filepath`
+
+### Structure
+
+```go
+// pkg/state/state.go
+var logFile *os.File
+
+func OpenLog() error {
+    logPath := filepath.Join("/var/log", "declpac.log")
+    f, err := os.OpenFile(logPath, os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0644)
+    if err != nil {
+        return err
+    }
+    logFile = f
+    return nil
+}
+
+func GetLogWriter() io.Writer {
+    return logFile
+}
+
+func Close() error {
+    if logFile == nil {
+        return nil
+    }
+    return logFile.Close()
+}
+```
+
+### Flow in Sync() or main entrypoint
+1. Call `OpenLog()` at program start, defer close
+2. Each state-modifying function uses `state.GetLogWriter()` via MultiWriter
+
+### Wire into main.go
+- Open log at start of `run()`
+- Pass log writer to pacman package (via exported function or global)

openspec/changes/add-operation-logging/proposal.md

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+## Why
+
+The tool exits without saving the full pacman output, making debugging difficult
+when operations fail. Users need a persistent log of all pacman operations for
+debugging and audit.
+
+## What Changes
+
+- Add state directory initialization creating `~/.local/state/declpac` if not exists
+- Open/manage a single log file at `$XDG_STATE_HOME/declpac` (e.g., `~/.local/state/declpac/declpac`)
+- Instrument all state-modifying exec calls in `pkg/pacman/pacman.go` to tee or append output to this file
+- Skip debug messages (internal timing logs)
+- Capture and write errors before returning
+
+## Capabilities
+
+### New Capabilities
+- Operation logging: Persist stdout/stderr from all pacman operations
+
+### Modified Capabilities
+- None
+
+## Impact
+
+- `pkg/pacman/pacman.go`: Instrument all state-modifying functions to write to log file
+- New module: May create `pkg/state/state.go` or similar for log file management

openspec/changes/add-operation-logging/tasks.md

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+## Tasks
+
+- [x] 1. Create state module
+
+Create `pkg/state/state.go`:
+- `OpenLog()` - opens `/var/log/declpac.log` in append mode
+- `GetLogWriter()` - returns the raw log file writer (for MultiWriter)
+- `Write(msg []byte)` - writes message with timestamp + dashes separator
+- `Close()` - closes the file
+
+- [x] 2. Wire into main.go
+
+In `cmd/declpac/main.go` `run()`:
+- Call `OpenLog()` at start
+- `defer Close()` log
+
+- [x] 3. Instrument pkg/pacman
+
+Modify `pkg/pacman/pacman.go`:
+
+All state-modifying functions use `state.Write()` instead of `state.GetLogWriter().Write()`:
+
+```
+// OLD
+state.GetLogWriter().Write(output)
+
+// NEW
+state.Write(output)  // auto-prepends timestamp
+```
+
+**Functions updated:**
+- `SyncPackages()` - write output with timestamp
+- `CleanupOrphans()` - write output with timestamp
+- `MarkAllAsDeps()` - write operation name with timestamp before running
+- `MarkAsExplicit()` - write operation name with timestamp before running
+- `InstallAUR()` - write "Cloning ..." and "Building package..." with timestamps
+- Error handling - `state.Write([]byte("error: ..."))` for all error paths
+
+- [x] 4. Add io import
+
+Add `io` to imports in pacman.go
+
+- [x] 5. Test
+
+Run a sync operation and verify log file created at `/var/log/declpac.log`

pkg/fetch/fetch.go

@@ -188,6 +188,9 @@ func (f *Fetcher) Resolve(packages []string) (map[string]*PackageInfo, error) {
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] Resolve: starting...\n")
 
 	result := make(map[string]*PackageInfo)
+	for _, pkg := range packages {
+		result[pkg] = &PackageInfo{Name: pkg, Exists: true}
+	}
 
 	localPkgs, err := f.buildLocalPkgMap()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -215,44 +218,38 @@ func (f *Fetcher) Resolve(packages []string) (map[string]*PackageInfo, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] Resolve: sync db checked (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
 
-		var notInSync []string
+		f.ensureAURCache(packages)
-		for _, pkg := range notInLocal {
-			if syncPkg, ok := syncPkgs[pkg]; ok {
-				result[pkg] = &PackageInfo{
-					Name:      pkg,
-					Exists:    true,
-					InAUR:     false,
-					Installed: false,
-					syncPkg:   syncPkg,
-				}
-			} else {
-				notInSync = append(notInSync, pkg)
-			}
-		}
 
-		if len(notInSync) > 0 {
+		for _, pkg := range packages {
-			f.ensureAURCache(notInSync)
+			info := result[pkg]
-			fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] Resolve: AUR cache ensured (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
+			if info == nil {
+				continue
+			}
 
-			var unfound []string
+			if info.Installed {
-			for _, pkg := range notInSync {
 				if aurInfo, ok := f.aurCache[pkg]; ok {
-					result[pkg] = &PackageInfo{
+					info.InAUR = true
-						Name:      pkg,
+					info.AURInfo = &aurInfo
-						Exists:    true,
-						InAUR:     true,
-						Installed: false,
-						AURInfo:   &aurInfo,
 				}
-				} else {
+				continue
-					unfound = append(unfound, pkg)
 			}
+
+			if syncPkg, ok := syncPkgs[pkg]; ok {
+				info.InAUR = false
+				info.Installed = false
+				info.syncPkg = syncPkg
+				continue
 			}
-			if len(unfound) > 0 {
+
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("package(s) not found: %s", strings.Join(unfound, ", "))
+			if aurInfo, ok := f.aurCache[pkg]; ok {
+				info.InAUR = true
+				info.Installed = false
+				info.AURInfo = &aurInfo
+				continue
 			}
+
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("package not found: %s", pkg)
 		}
 	}
 

pkg/pacman/pacman.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package pacman
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"regexp"
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/fetch"
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/output"
+	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/state"
 	"github.com/Riyyi/declpac/pkg/validation"
 )
 
@@ -18,9 +20,13 @@ func MarkAllAsDeps() error {
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] MarkAllAsDeps: starting...\n")
 
 	cmd := exec.Command("pacman", "-D", "--asdeps")
-	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+	state.Write([]byte("MarkAllAsDeps...\n"))
-	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	cmd.Stdout = io.MultiWriter(os.Stdout, state.GetLogWriter())
+	cmd.Stderr = io.MultiWriter(os.Stderr, state.GetLogWriter())
 	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err != nil {
+		state.Write([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("error: %v\n", err)))
+	}
 
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] MarkAllAsDeps: done (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
 	return err
@@ -35,9 +41,13 @@ func MarkAsExplicit(packages []string) error {
 
 	args := append([]string{"-D", "--asexplicit"}, packages...)
 	cmd := exec.Command("pacman", args...)
-	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+	state.Write([]byte("MarkAsExplicit...\n"))
-	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	cmd.Stdout = io.MultiWriter(os.Stdout, state.GetLogWriter())
+	cmd.Stderr = io.MultiWriter(os.Stderr, state.GetLogWriter())
 	err := cmd.Run()
+	if err != nil {
+		state.Write([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("error: %v\n", err)))
+	}
 
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] MarkAsExplicit: done (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
 	return err
@@ -157,19 +167,25 @@ func InstallAUR(f *fetch.Fetcher, pkgName string) error {
 	defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
 
 	cloneURL := "https://aur.archlinux.org/" + aurInfo.PackageBase + ".git"
+	state.Write([]byte("Cloning " + cloneURL + "\n"))
 	cloneCmd := exec.Command("git", "clone", cloneURL, tmpDir)
-	cloneCmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+	cloneCmd.Stdout = io.MultiWriter(os.Stdout, state.GetLogWriter())
-	cloneCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	cloneCmd.Stderr = io.MultiWriter(os.Stderr, state.GetLogWriter())
 	if err := cloneCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("failed to clone AUR repo: %w\n", err)
+		state.Write([]byte("error: " + errMsg))
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to clone AUR repo: %w", err)
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] InstallAUR: cloned (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
 
+	state.Write([]byte("Building package...\n"))
 	makepkgCmd := exec.Command("makepkg", "-si", "--noconfirm")
-	makepkgCmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
+	makepkgCmd.Stdout = io.MultiWriter(os.Stdout, state.GetLogWriter())
-	makepkgCmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
+	makepkgCmd.Stderr = io.MultiWriter(os.Stderr, state.GetLogWriter())
 	makepkgCmd.Dir = tmpDir
 	if err := makepkgCmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("makepkg failed to build AUR package: %w\n", err)
+		state.Write([]byte("error: " + errMsg))
 		return fmt.Errorf("makepkg failed to build AUR package: %w", err)
 	}
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] InstallAUR: built (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
@@ -200,13 +216,19 @@ func SyncPackages(packages []string) (int, error) {
 	start := time.Now()
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] SyncPackages: starting...\n")
 
-	args := append([]string{"-Syu"}, packages...)
+	args := append([]string{"-S", "--needed"}, packages...)
 	cmd := exec.Command("pacman", args...)
 	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
 	if err != nil {
+		errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("pacman sync failed: %s", output)
+		state.Write([]byte(errMsg))
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("pacman sync failed: %s", output)
 	}
 
+	if len(output) > 0 {
+		state.Write(output)
+	}
+
 	re := regexp.MustCompile(`upgrading (\S+)`)
 	matches := re.FindAllStringSubmatch(string(output), -1)
 
@@ -233,9 +255,15 @@ func CleanupOrphans() (int, error) {
 	removeCmd := exec.Command("pacman", "-Rns")
 	output, err := removeCmd.CombinedOutput()
 	if err != nil {
+		errMsg := fmt.Sprintf("%s: %s", err, output)
+		state.Write([]byte(errMsg))
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("%s: %s", err, output)
 	}
 
+	if len(output) > 0 {
+		state.Write(output)
+	}
+
 	count := len(orphans)
 
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] CleanupOrphans: done (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
@@ -271,14 +299,12 @@ func DryRun(packages []string) (*output.Result, error) {
 		if info == nil || !info.Exists {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("package not found: %s", pkg)
 		}
-		if _, installed := localPkgs[pkg]; !installed {
 		if info.InAUR {
 			aurPkgs = append(aurPkgs, pkg)
-			} else {
+		} else if _, installed := localPkgs[pkg]; !installed {
 			toInstall = append(toInstall, pkg)
 		}
 	}
-	}
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "[debug] DryRun: packages categorized (%.2fs)\n", time.Since(start).Seconds())
 
 	orphans, err := f.ListOrphans()

pkg/state/state.go

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package state
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"time"
+)
+
+var logFile *os.File
+
+func OpenLog() error {
+	logPath := filepath.Join("/var/log", "declpac.log")
+	f, err := os.OpenFile(logPath, os.O_APPEND|os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY, 0644)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	logFile = f
+	return nil
+}
+
+func GetLogWriter() io.Writer {
+	return logFile
+}
+
+func Write(msg []byte) {
+	PrependWithTimestamp(logFile, msg)
+}
+
+func Close() error {
+	if logFile == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return logFile.Close()
+}
+
+func PrependWithTimestamp(w io.Writer, msg []byte) {
+	ts := time.Now().Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05")
+	header := fmt.Sprintf("\n--- %s ---\n", ts)
+	w.Write([]byte(header))
+	w.Write(msg)
+}