# Active Identity Implementation Overview **Author**: Matthew Raymer **Date**: 2025-08-21T13:40Z **Status**: 🚧 **IN PROGRESS** - Implementation Complete, Testing Pending ## Objective Separate the `activeDid` field from the monolithic `settings` table into a dedicated `active_identity` table to achieve: - **Data normalization** and reduced cache drift - **Simplified identity management** with dedicated table - **Zero breaking API surface** for existing components - **Phased migration** with rollback capability ## Result This document provides a comprehensive overview of the implemented Active Identity table separation system, including architecture, migration strategy, and component integration. ## Use/Run The implementation is ready for testing. Components can immediately use the new façade methods while maintaining backward compatibility through dual-write triggers. ## Context & Scope - **Audience**: Developers working with identity management and database migrations - **In scope**: Active DID management, database schema evolution, Vue component integration - **Out of scope**: Multi-profile support beyond basic scope framework, complex identity hierarchies ## Artifacts & Links - **Implementation**: `src/db/tables/activeIdentity.ts`, `src/utils/PlatformServiceMixin.ts` - **Migrations**: `src/db-sql/migration.ts` (migrations 003 & 004) - **Configuration**: `src/config/featureFlags.ts` - **Documentation**: This document and progress tracking ## Environment & Preconditions - **Database**: SQLite (Absurd-SQL for Web, Capacitor SQLite for Mobile) - **Framework**: Vue.js with PlatformServiceMixin - **Migration System**: Built-in migrationService.ts with automatic execution ## Architecture / Process Overview The Active Identity separation follows a **phased migration pattern** with dual-write triggers to ensure zero downtime and backward compatibility. ```mermaid flowchart TD A[Legacy State] --> B[Phase A: Dual-Write] B --> C[Phase B: Component Cutover] C --> D[Phase C: Legacy Cleanup] A --> A1[settings.activeDid] B --> B1[active_identity table] B --> B2[Dual-write trigger] B --> B3[Fallback support] C --> C1[Components use façade] C --> C2[Legacy fallback disabled] D --> D1[Drop activeDid column] D --> D2[Remove triggers] ``` ## Interfaces & Contracts ### Database Schema | Table | Purpose | Key Fields | Constraints | |-------|---------|------------|-------------| | `active_identity` | Store active DID per scope | `scope`, `active_did`, | Unique scope, FK to accounts.did | | | | `updated_at` | | | `settings` | User preferences (legacy) | `id`, `accountDid`, `apiServer`, | `activeDid` removed in Phase C | | | | etc. | | ### Service Façade API | Method | Purpose | Parameters | Returns | |--------|---------|------------|---------| | `$getActiveDid(scope?)` | Retrieve active DID | `scope` (default: | `Promise` | | | | 'default') | | | `$setActiveDid(did, scope?)` | Set active DID | `did`, `scope` (default: | `Promise` | | | | 'default') | | | `$switchActiveIdentity(did)` | Switch to different DID | `did` | `Promise` | | `$getActiveIdentityScopes()` | Get available scopes | None | `Promise` | ## Repro: End-to-End Procedure ### 1. Database Migration Execution ```bash # Migrations run automatically on app startup # Migration 003: Creates active_identity table # Migration 004: Drops settings.activeDid column (Phase C) ``` ### 2. Component Usage ```typescript // Before (legacy) const activeDid = settings.activeDid || ""; await this.$saveSettings({ activeDid: newDid }); // After (new façade) const activeDid = await this.$getActiveDid() || ""; await this.$setActiveDid(newDid); ``` ### 3. Feature Flag Control ```typescript // Enable/disable migration phases FLAGS.USE_ACTIVE_IDENTITY_ONLY = false; // Allow legacy fallback FLAGS.DROP_SETTINGS_ACTIVEDID = false; // Keep legacy column FLAGS.LOG_ACTIVE_ID_FALLBACK = true; // Log fallback usage ``` ## What Works (Evidence) - ✅ **Migration Infrastructure**: Migrations 003 and 004 integrated into `migrationService.ts` - ✅ **Table Creation**: `active_identity` table schema with proper constraints and indexes - ✅ **Service Façade**: PlatformServiceMixin extended with all required methods - ✅ **Feature Flags**: Comprehensive flag system for controlling rollout phases - ✅ **Dual-Write Support**: One-way trigger from `settings.activeDid` → `active_identity.active_did` - ✅ **Validation**: DID existence validation before setting as active - ✅ **Error Handling**: Comprehensive error handling with logging ## What Doesn't (Evidence & Hypotheses) - ❌ **Component Migration**: No components yet updated to use new façade methods - ❌ **Testing**: No automated tests for new functionality - ❌ **Performance Validation**: No benchmarks for read/write performance - ❌ **Cross-Platform Validation**: Not tested on mobile platforms yet ## Risks, Limits, Assumptions ### **Migration Risks** - **Data Loss**: If migration fails mid-process, could lose active DID state - **Rollback Complexity**: Phase C (column drop) requires table rebuild, not easily reversible - **Trigger Dependencies**: Dual-write trigger could fail if `active_identity` table is corrupted ### **Performance Limits** - **Dual-Write Overhead**: Each `activeDid` change triggers additional database operations - **Fallback Queries**: Legacy fallback requires additional database queries - **Transaction Scope**: Active DID changes wrapped in transactions for consistency ### **Security Boundaries** - **DID Validation**: Only validates DID exists in accounts table, not ownership - **Scope Isolation**: No current scope separation enforcement beyond table constraints - **Access Control**: No row-level security on `active_identity` table ## Next Steps | Owner | Task | Exit Criteria | Target Date (UTC) | |-------|------|---------------|-------------------| | Developer | Test migrations | Migrations execute without errors | 2025-08-21 | | Developer | Update components | All components use new façade | 2025-08-22 | | | | methods | | | Developer | Performance testing | Read/write performance meets | 2025-08-23 | | | | requirements | | | Developer | Phase C activation | Feature flag enables column | 2025-08-24 | | | | removal | | ## References - [Database Migration Guide](../database-migration-guide.md) - [PlatformServiceMixin Documentation](../component-communication-guide.md) - [Feature Flags Configuration](../feature-flags.md) ## Competence Hooks - **Why this works**: Phased migration with dual-write triggers ensures zero downtime while maintaining data consistency through foreign key constraints and validation - **Common pitfalls**: Forgetting to update components before enabling `USE_ACTIVE_IDENTITY_ONLY`, not testing rollback scenarios, ignoring cross-platform compatibility - **Next skill unlock**: Implement automated component migration using codemods and ESLint rules - **Teach-back**: Explain how the dual-write trigger prevents data divergence during the transition phase ## Collaboration Hooks - **Reviewers**: Database team for migration logic, Vue team for component integration, DevOps for deployment strategy - **Sign-off checklist**: Migrations tested in staging, components updated, performance validated, rollback plan documented ## Assumptions & Limits - **Single User Focus**: Current implementation assumes single-user mode with 'default' scope - **Vue Compatibility**: Assumes `vue-facing-decorator` compatibility (needs validation) - **Migration Timing**: Assumes migrations run on app startup (automatic execution) - **Platform Support**: Assumes same behavior across Web (Absurd-SQL) and Mobile (Capacitor SQLite) ## Implementation Details ### **Migration 003: Table Creation** Creates the `active_identity` table with: - **Primary Key**: Auto-incrementing ID - **Scope Field**: For future multi-profile support (currently 'default') - **Active DID**: Foreign key to accounts.did with CASCADE UPDATE - **Timestamps**: ISO format timestamps for audit trail - **Indexes**: Performance optimization for scope and DID lookups ### **Migration 004: Column Removal** Implements Phase C by: - **Table Rebuild**: Creates new settings table without activeDid column - **Data Preservation**: Copies all other data from legacy table - **Index Recreation**: Rebuilds necessary indexes - **Trigger Cleanup**: Removes dual-write triggers ### **Service Façade Implementation** The PlatformServiceMixin extension provides: - **Dual-Read Logic**: Prefers new table, falls back to legacy during transition - **Dual-Write Logic**: Updates both tables during Phase A/B - **Validation**: Ensures DID exists before setting as active - **Transaction Safety**: Wraps operations in database transactions - **Error Handling**: Comprehensive logging and error propagation ### **Feature Flag System** Controls migration phases through: - **`USE_ACTIVE_IDENTITY_ONLY`**: Disables legacy fallback reads - **`DROP_SETTINGS_ACTIVEDID`**: Enables Phase C column removal - **`LOG_ACTIVE_ID_FALLBACK`**: Logs when legacy fallback is used - **`ENABLE_ACTIVE_IDENTITY_MIGRATION`**: Master switch for migration system ## Security Considerations ### **Data Validation** - DID format validation (basic "did:" prefix check) - Foreign key constraints ensure referential integrity - Transaction wrapping prevents partial updates ### **Access Control** - No row-level security implemented - Scope isolation framework in place for future use - Validation prevents setting non-existent DIDs as active ### **Audit Trail** - Timestamps on all active identity changes - Logging of fallback usage and errors - Migration tracking through built-in system ## Performance Characteristics ### **Read Operations** - **Primary Path**: Single query to `active_identity` table - **Fallback Path**: Additional query to `settings` table (Phase A only) - **Indexed Fields**: Both scope and active_did are indexed ### **Write Operations** - **Dual-Write**: Updates both tables during transition (Phase A/B) - **Transaction Overhead**: All operations wrapped in transactions - **Trigger Execution**: Additional database operations per update ### **Migration Impact** - **Table Creation**: Minimal impact (runs once) - **Column Removal**: Moderate impact (table rebuild required) - **Data Seeding**: Depends on existing data volume ## Testing Strategy ### **Unit Testing** - Service façade method validation - Error handling and edge cases - Transaction rollback scenarios ### **Integration Testing** - Migration execution and rollback - Cross-platform compatibility - Performance under load ### **End-to-End Testing** - Component integration - User workflow validation - Migration scenarios ## Deployment Considerations ### **Rollout Strategy** - **Phase A**: Deploy with dual-write enabled - **Phase B**: Update components to use new methods - **Phase C**: Enable column removal (irreversible) ### **Rollback Plan** - **Phase A/B**: Disable feature flags, revert to legacy methods - **Phase C**: Requires database restore (no automatic rollback) ### **Monitoring** - Track fallback usage through logging - Monitor migration success rates - Alert on validation failures --- **Status**: Implementation complete, ready for testing and component migration **Next Review**: After initial testing and component updates **Maintainer**: Development team