Build Artifacts Storage

Build artifacts storage preserves design system build outputs for traceability, debugging, and reproducibility. While npm registries store published packages, additional artifact storage captures build outputs before and during releases. Proper storage enables investigating issues and verifying releases.

What Is Build Artifacts Storage

Build artifacts storage refers to systems that preserve build outputs beyond just publishing to package registries. This includes CI/CD artifact storage, dedicated artifact repositories, and archive systems. Storage provides access to historical builds and enables traceability.

Storage serves different purposes than package registries. Registries distribute packages to consumers. Artifact storage supports internal needs like debugging, compliance, and reproducibility verification.

How Build Artifacts Storage Works

Artifact storage involves capturing outputs, organizing for retrieval, and managing retention. Each aspect supports different use cases.

Capture happens during build and release processes. CI/CD pipelines can upload artifacts after build steps complete. Build outputs, test results, and logs are captured for later access.

Organization enables finding relevant artifacts. Tagging artifacts with version numbers, commit hashes, and build dates helps retrieval. Folder structures or metadata systems organize large artifact collections.

Retention balances storage costs with access needs. Recent artifacts are needed frequently; older artifacts are needed rarely. Retention policies can keep recent artifacts indefinitely while archiving or removing old ones.

Access controls protect sensitive artifacts. Build outputs might include credentials, internal paths, or proprietary code. Appropriate access restrictions prevent unauthorized access.

Key Considerations

• Capture artifacts at appropriate pipeline stages
• Tag artifacts for easy retrieval
• Define retention policies balancing needs and costs
• Secure artifacts appropriately
• Consider storage for compliance or audit requirements

Common Questions

What artifact storage options work for design systems?

Multiple storage options serve different needs and scales. Selection depends on existing infrastructure and requirements.

CI/CD platform storage uses built-in artifact capabilities. GitHub Actions artifacts, GitLab artifacts, and similar features store outputs temporarily. These suit immediate needs but have retention limits.

Cloud storage provides durable, scalable storage. S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure Blob Storage can hold artifacts long-term. Integration with CI/CD requires configuration but provides flexibility.

Artifact repositories like Artifactory or Nexus provide specialized management. Features include metadata, search, and lifecycle management. These suit organizations with sophisticated artifact needs.

Git LFS can store binary artifacts in repositories. Large files are stored separately but appear in the repository. This provides versioning and access control integration.

How long should build artifacts be retained?

Retention duration depends on debugging needs, compliance requirements, and storage costs. Different artifact types may have different retention.

Recent versions need indefinite retention. Artifacts for currently supported versions should remain available. This ensures debugging capability for reported issues.

Historical versions may have shorter retention. Artifacts for versions past their support period are rarely needed. Retention might be months rather than years.

Compliance requirements may mandate specific retention. Some industries require preserving build artifacts for audit purposes. Compliance needs override other considerations.

Storage costs factor into decisions. Large artifacts with long retention consume significant storage. Balancing completeness against cost is necessary.

Regeneration capability affects retention needs. If artifacts can be regenerated from source code and locked dependencies, storage is less critical. If builds are not reproducible, artifacts must be preserved.

Summary

Build artifacts storage preserves design system build outputs for debugging, traceability, and compliance. CI/CD platforms, cloud storage, and artifact repositories provide storage options. Retention policies should balance access needs with storage costs while meeting any compliance requirements.