conda.md

+Overview of [conda](https://conda.io/) and [conda-forge](https://conda-forge.org/) distribution of CDS packages.
+
+The plan is to make all CDS workstation software available via conda, through the same "conda-forge" channel that all LSCSoft software is available from:
+
+ * https://lscsoft.docs.ligo.org/conda/
+ * https://lscsoft.docs.ligo.org/conda/packaging/
+
+The list of packages that define the "official" lscsoft set is defined here:
+
+ * https://git.ligo.org/duncanmmacleod/lscsoft-conda-new
+
+
+## CDS packaging status
+
+Packages that are still missing:
+
+ * guardian
+ * GDS
+ * EPICS + MEDM?
+ * ?
+
+## CI builds
+
+We would like all CDS software building conda packages via gitlab CI.  Here's an example of how it's done for the lalsuite project:
+
+ * https://git.ligo.org/lscsoft/lalsuite/blob/master/.gitlab-ci.yml#L191
+ * https://git.ligo.org/lscsoft/lalsuite/blob/master/.gitlab-ci.yml#L317
+
+## Repo mirroring
+
+CDS will likely want to mirror conda-forge for site distribution:
+
+ * https://wiki.ligo.org/Computing/Conda#Self_45hosting
+
+## local builds
+
+It's possible to build and "distribute" conda packages locally.
+
+ * https://lscsoft.docs.ligo.org/conda/packaging/#testing-package-builds
+
+This is demonstrated in the lalsuite CI above.  There are two relevant environment variables:
+
+ * `CONDA_BLD_PATH`: package build dir
+ * `CONDA_PKGS_DIRS`: conda install dir
+
+With these defined, the following local build/install should work:
+```shell
+$ git clone https://github.com/conda-forge/lal-feedstock.git
+$ cd lal-feedstock
+$ conda build recipe
+```
+Then:
+```shell
+$ conda install --use-local lal
+```
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