Addon Manager does not respect the branch in package.xml

[pieterhijma]

In the case of the Ondsel-Lens addon, the package.xml specifies that the branch from which should be downloaded is main. Also in AddonCatalog.json the main branch is specified: https://github.com/FreeCAD/Ondsel-Lens-Addon/archive/refs/heads/main.zip (see FreeCAD/FreeCAD-addons#495).

Instead of installing the addon from the main branch, the addon manager seems to install from the default branch on GitHub, which happens to be branch develop in the case of the Ondsel Lens addon.

Version info:

• The addon manager that was installed together with FreeCAD 1.0.2 on Windows.
• version 2025.11.4 has the same issue.

[chennes]

My copy says it's using main -- do you have a custom path specified in your preferences?

[pieterhijma]

No, I don't have a custom path specified.

Hm, interesting. I reinstalled it and now I also see that it is a git repository, indeed checked out as main. When I created the issue, there was no .git directory so I assumed that the Addon manager was using zip files. Could it be the case that this issue is still valid if it doesn't use git but zip files or so?

[chennes]

If there's a git directory it's not using the remote cache, which is extremely strange, and should only happen if you have a custom addon set up in preferences. I just installed Lens, and it looks to me like it's grabbing main, and I can see that the remote cache is checking out main. So you are somehow getting a custom repo-like-behavior of a direct git clone. I'm at a bit of a loss here.

[pieterhijma]

Weird, ok, now I want to get to the bottom of this. I have FreeCAD 1.0.2:

OS: Arch Linux (xcb)
Architecture: x86_64
Version: 1.0.2.39319 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: makepkg
Hash: 256fc7eff3379911ab5daf88e10182c509aa8052
Python 3.13.7, Qt 6.10.0, Coin 4.0.5, Vtk 9.5.2, OCC 7.9.1
Locale: English/United States (en_US)
Stylesheet/Theme/QtStyle: OpenDark.qss/OpenDark/
Installed mods: 
  * OpenTheme 2024.5.16
  * fasteners 0.5.34
  * WebTools 1.0.0
  * osh-autodoc-workbench 0.2.3
  * DynamicData 2.70.0
  * Curves 0.6.61
  * freecad.gears 1.3.0
  * sheetmetal 0.7.24

As you can see, Ondsel Lens is not installed currently, nor a new version of the Addon Manager.

I open FreeCAD, go to the Addon Manager, press "Refresh local cache", search for Lens, install it, say yes to dependencies, close, close FreeCAD.

I open FreeCAD again, Lens is successfully installed.

In a terminal I go to the mod directory where Ondsel-Lens is installed:

$ pwd
/home/pieter/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/Ondsel-Lens

$ ls -al
total 384
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter   1228 Nov 25 11:30 .
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    196 Nov 25 11:29 ..
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    202 Nov 25 11:29 AM_INSTALLATION_DIGEST.txt
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  34060 Nov 25 11:29 APIClient.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1023 Nov 25 11:29 changeLog.md
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1174 Nov 25 11:29 check_links.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    520 Nov 25 11:30 components
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   7238 Nov 25 11:29 DataModels.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    270 Nov 25 11:30 delegates
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    122 Nov 25 11:31 .git
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     18 Nov 25 11:29 .github
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    225 Nov 25 11:29 .gitignore
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3475 Nov 25 11:29 handlers.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    603 Nov 25 11:29 InitGui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    238 Nov 25 11:29 Init.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     28 Nov 25 11:29 integrations
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2336 Nov 25 11:29 lens_command.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    317 Nov 25 11:29 lens_handler.FCMacro
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    156 Nov 25 11:29 LICENSES
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   5547 Nov 25 11:29 LinkModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   5287 Nov 25 11:29 ManageSharingLinksDialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2516 Nov 25 11:29 markdown.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    684 Nov 25 11:30 models
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1425 Nov 25 11:29 package.xml
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    435 Nov 25 11:29 .pre-commit-config.yaml
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    712 Nov 25 11:30 __pycache__
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     94 Nov 25 11:30 qflowview
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   6775 Nov 25 11:29 README.md
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   4439 Nov 25 11:29 register_lens_handler.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     36 Nov 25 11:29 Resources
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3145 Nov 25 11:29 REUSE.toml
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  15016 Nov 25 11:29 SharingLinkEditDialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   6344 Nov 25 11:29 testAPI.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2831 Nov 25 11:29 testDataModels.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3214 Nov 25 11:29 testFileListModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3204 Nov 25 11:29 testLinkModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   8149 Nov 25 11:29 testshape.FCStd
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1953 Nov 25 11:29 testVersionModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1897 Nov 25 11:29 testWorkspaceListModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  11675 Nov 25 11:29 Utils.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  10659 Nov 25 11:29 VersionModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2635 Nov 25 11:29 version.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    180 Nov 25 11:30 views
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   5464 Nov 25 11:29 WorkspaceListDelegate.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  28713 Nov 25 11:29 Workspace.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 114571 Nov 25 11:29 WorkspaceView.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  21687 Nov 25 11:29 WorkspaceView.ui

$ git status
On branch main
Your branch is up to date with 'origin/main'.

Untracked files:
  (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
	AM_INSTALLATION_DIGEST.txt

nothing added to commit but untracked files present (use "git add" to track)

So, you can see that it is a git repository and it is on branch main.

Ok, again, but now, I update the Addon Manager first:

I remove Ondsel-Lens from the Mod directory.

I open FreeCAD, go to the Addon Manager, press "Refresh local cache". I install Addon Manager v2025.11.4, close, close FreeCAD.

I open FreeCAD again, go to the Addon Manager, search for Ondsel Lens, install it, close, close FreeCAD.

I open FreeCAD again, Lens is installed successfully.

In a terminal:

$ pwd
/home/pieter/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/AddonManager

$ ls -al
total 800
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter  3298 Nov 25 11:39 .
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter   246 Nov 25 11:40 ..
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 21812 Nov 25 11:38 AddonCatalogCacheCreator.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 16371 Nov 25 11:38 AddonCatalog.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2268 Nov 25 11:38 AddonCatalog.schema.json
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  5677 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_connection_checker.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  8871 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_dependency_installer.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   165 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager.dox
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3777 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_firstrun.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 14805 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_freecad_interface.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 19170 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_git.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  8150 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_icon_utilities.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  8593 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_installation_manifest.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 37569 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_installer_gui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 29024 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_installer.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  7660 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_licenses.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 11138 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_macro_parser.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 17979 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_macro.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 17228 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_metadata.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2062 Nov 25 11:38 AddonManagerOptions_AddCustomRepository.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 28335 Nov 25 11:38 AddonManagerOptions.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  9959 Nov 25 11:38 AddonManagerOptions.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 11497 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_package_details_controller.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1694 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_preferences_defaults.json
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2848 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_preferences_migrations.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 32409 Nov 25 11:38 AddonManager.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3884 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_python_deps_gui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 15842 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_python_deps.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 10561 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_readme_controller.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter   144 Nov 25 11:38 AddonManagerTest
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  5077 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_toolbar_adapter.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   442 Nov 25 11:38 AddonManager.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  6981 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_uninstaller_gui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 13811 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_uninstaller.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 21678 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_update_all_gui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 25801 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_utilities.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 29155 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_workers_startup.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  4571 Nov 25 11:38 addonmanager_workers_utility.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 32915 Nov 25 11:38 Addon.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3741 Nov 25 11:38 AddonStats.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2381 Nov 25 11:38 add_toolbar_button_dialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1154 Nov 25 11:38 ALLOWED_PYTHON_PACKAGES.txt
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   199 Nov 25 11:38 AM_INSTALLATION_DIGEST.txt
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2210 Nov 25 11:38 CMakeLists.txt
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  4344 Nov 25 11:38 compact_view.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2778 Nov 25 11:38 compact_view.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  7425 Nov 25 11:38 composite_view.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3352 Nov 25 11:38 dependency_resolution_dialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  6604 Nov 25 11:38 expanded_view.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  5477 Nov 25 11:38 expanded_view.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3203 Nov 25 11:38 first_run.ui
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter   122 Nov 25 11:43 .git
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    18 Nov 25 11:38 .github
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    68 Nov 25 11:38 .gitignore
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   522 Nov 25 11:38 InitGui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter     0 Nov 25 11:38 __init__.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    65 Nov 25 11:38 Init.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 26215 Nov 25 11:38 LICENSE.md
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  8731 Nov 25 11:38 MacroCacheCreator.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3069 Nov 25 11:38 main.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 27493 Nov 25 11:38 NetworkManager.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2700 Nov 25 11:38 package_details.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 33446 Nov 25 11:38 package_list.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1441 Nov 25 11:38 package.xml
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   579 Nov 25 11:38 .pre-commit-config.yaml
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1774 Nov 25 11:38 progress.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3840 Nov 25 11:38 proxy_authentication.ui
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter  2756 Nov 25 11:39 __pycache__
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2721 Nov 25 11:38 PySideWrapper.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2585 Nov 25 11:38 PythonDependencyUpdateDialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  3893 Nov 25 11:38 README.md
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    78 Nov 25 11:38 Resources
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1555 Nov 25 11:38 SECURITY.md
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2018 Nov 25 11:38 select_toolbar_dialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  4163 Nov 25 11:38 TestAddonManagerApp.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2955 Nov 25 11:38 TestAddonManagerGui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1332 Nov 25 11:38 toolbar_button.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  1774 Nov 25 11:38 update_all_progress.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  2755 Nov 25 11:38 update_all.ui
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter   858 Nov 25 11:39 Widgets

$ git status
On branch main
Your branch is up to date with 'origin/main'.

Untracked files:
  (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
	AM_INSTALLATION_DIGEST.txt

nothing added to commit but untracked files present (use "git add" to track)

So, the AddonManager is a git repository. Then for Ondsel-Lens:

$ pwd
/home/pieter/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/Ondsel-Lens

$ ls -al
total 384
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter   1198 Nov 25 11:40 .
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    246 Nov 25 11:40 ..
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    202 Nov 25 11:40 AM_INSTALLATION_DIGEST.txt
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  34060 Nov 25 11:40 APIClient.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1023 Nov 25 11:40 changeLog.md
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1174 Nov 25 11:40 check_links.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    498 Nov 25 11:40 components
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   7238 Nov 25 11:40 DataModels.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    248 Nov 25 11:40 delegates
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     18 Nov 25 11:40 .github
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    225 Nov 25 11:40 .gitignore
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3475 Nov 25 11:40 handlers.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    603 Nov 25 11:40 InitGui.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    238 Nov 25 11:40 Init.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     28 Nov 25 11:40 integrations
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2336 Nov 25 11:40 lens_command.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    317 Nov 25 11:40 lens_handler.FCMacro
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    156 Nov 25 11:40 LICENSES
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   5547 Nov 25 11:40 LinkModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   5287 Nov 25 11:40 ManageSharingLinksDialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2516 Nov 25 11:40 markdown.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    662 Nov 25 11:40 models
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1425 Nov 25 11:40 package.xml
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter    435 Nov 25 11:40 .pre-commit-config.yaml
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     72 Nov 25 11:40 qflowview
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   6775 Nov 25 11:40 README.md
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   4439 Nov 25 11:40 register_lens_handler.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter     36 Nov 25 11:40 Resources
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3145 Nov 25 11:40 REUSE.toml
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  15016 Nov 25 11:40 SharingLinkEditDialog.ui
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   6344 Nov 25 11:40 testAPI.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2831 Nov 25 11:40 testDataModels.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3214 Nov 25 11:40 testFileListModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   3204 Nov 25 11:40 testLinkModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   8149 Nov 25 11:40 testshape.FCStd
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1953 Nov 25 11:40 testVersionModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   1897 Nov 25 11:40 testWorkspaceListModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  11675 Nov 25 11:40 Utils.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  10659 Nov 25 11:40 VersionModel.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   2635 Nov 25 11:40 version.py
drwx------ 1 pieter pieter    158 Nov 25 11:40 views
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter   5464 Nov 25 11:40 WorkspaceListDelegate.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  28713 Nov 25 11:40 Workspace.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter 114571 Nov 25 11:40 WorkspaceView.py
-rw------- 1 pieter pieter  21687 Nov 25 11:40 WorkspaceView.ui

$ git status
fatal: not a git repository (or any parent up to mount point /)
Stopping at filesystem boundary (GIT_DISCOVERY_ACROSS_FILESYSTEM not set).

So, not a git repository.

Additionally, the files that are downloaded are not from the develop branch, but from the main branch because I don't see the change in package.xml from this commit that is only on the develop branch.

Ok, I don't get it. So, I can't reproduce the behavior I reported on in this issue and with both versions of the Addon Manager I get the main branch: a git repo with the old version, a zip with the new version. The new version of the Addon Manager itself is a git repo as well.

@chennes, if this all is as expected, the issue can be closed.