DirectSpool roadmap
Status as of October 2026. This is a pre-release development project. Published features must not be confused with planned capabilities or certification claims.
Verified and under certification
| Capability | Current evidence |
|---|---|
| Windows local agent | Native Rust application, v0.77.2 compiled and running in a Windows test environment. |
| Local operator UI | Local printer registration, management and test workflows demonstrated. |
| Physical thermal printing | Multi-line 58 mm ESC/POS test receipt observed on ZY302; fresh-paper print quality and wider compatibility pending. |
| Security foundation | Origin controls, pairing, device scoping and regression tests. Independent audit pending. |
| Windows 10/11 release | Installer, browser, recovery, signing and cross-OS acceptance tests remain before production certification. |
Hybrid source and licensing model
The free DirectSpool Community local agent uses a privately maintained Rust core. Independently useful developer SDKs, integration examples and browser connectors are intended for genuinely open-source release after provenance, security and licensing review. Business Cloud is a separately licensed paid service. No public repository is claimed until actually published.
Network printing
Current architecture includes RAW TCP transport and Windows printer-spooler integration. The next acceptance target is verified device discovery, IPP/IPPS printer support, TLS certificate validation, address allowlists, printer-specific protocol profiles, and offline/LAN resilience. RAW port 9100 must be restricted to approved printers; network printers are not inherently trustworthy.
Modern cloud printing
Planned alternative to discontinued Google Cloud Print: securely enroll an agent, assign printers to tenant/site identities, establish outbound encrypted agent-cloud connectivity, authorize queued jobs, deliver them locally, and report distinct accepted/submitted/confirmed/unknown job states. No automatic replay when physical outcome is ambiguous. Encrypted payload retention is bounded. Users can delete cloud data and revoke devices.
Optional feature catalog and updates
- Core agent boots and prints locally without downloading optional modules.
- Opt-in catalog shows publisher, exact version, compatible core range, size, permissions, privacy implications and price (if any).
- Packages use signed manifests, cryptographic SHA-256 integrity checks, pinned trusted publisher keys and least-privilege installation.
- Updates are staged with verification before activation and retain a verified rollback path. No unexpected elevated privileges or silent cloud enrollment.
- Optional packs may include PDF rendering, barcode & label design, Bluetooth, hardware device profiles, cloud enrollment, AI diagnostics and enterprise administration.
- Security updates to the core should be independently deliverable without compelling users to subscribe.
AI assistance — planned
Start with local rule-based diagnostics and explicit recommendations. Cloud AI is optional, never required for local printing; consent gates the upload of diagnostic context. Redact secrets, tokens, receipt data, customer identities and spool contents. AI cannot silently change pairings or retry uncertain print jobs.
Suggested delivery sequence
- Complete Windows 10/11 acceptance, safe installer/upgrade and signing.
- Publish independently audited open SDK/connectors and community documentation.
- Certify Windows network printing and IPP/IPPS interoperability.
- Ship opt-in, signed update catalog and module lifecycle management.
- Prototype tenant-isolated Cloud Run service and outbound-connected agents.
- Run restricted remote print pilots, add audit and billing, then public Business Cloud.
- Build AI diagnostics and macOS/Linux parity without compromising the lightweight base.