ssh cert consolidation

.github/instructions/janus-host.instructions.md

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+---
+description: "Use when modifying the Janus host, Janus step-ca deployment, Step SSH CA, mTLS issuance, CA bootstrap artifacts, or Janus SOPS secrets. Covers idiomatic Nix, secret placement, and troubleshooting."
+name: "Janus Host Instructions"
+applyTo: "modules/hosts/janus/**, modules/services/step-ca/step-ca.nix, modules/features/step-client.nix"
+---
+
+# Janus Host Instructions
+
+Use this instruction when changing Janus host wiring, Janus CA material, or the shared Step CA module that Janus consumes.
+
+## Host Intent And Boundaries
+
+- Treat Janus as the homelab certificate authority host. It runs `step-ca` for X.509 issuance, SSH user and host certificates, and mTLS certificates.
+- Assume Janus CA endpoints are private/LAN-only unless the task explicitly changes the exposure model.
+- Keep Janus as a concrete host under `modules/hosts/janus`; keep reusable behavior in shared modules such as `modules/services/step-ca/step-ca.nix`, `modules/services/step-ca/ssh-host.nix`, `modules/features/step-client.nix`, and `modules/features/mtls.nix`.
+- Preserve host identity unless the task explicitly renames the deployed CA: `hostname = "janus"`, `flake.nixosConfigurations."${hostname}"`, and `networking.hostName = hostname`.
+- Keep Janus-specific paths, DNS names, IP SANs, and CA artifacts in the Janus host area or in Janus-specific option values. Do not move them into generic shared modules unless they become a deliberate module interface.
+
+## Required Module Composition
+
+When editing `modules/hosts/janus/default.nix`, preserve this composition unless the task explicitly changes Janus architecture:
+
+- `nixos.lxc` for the container host shape.
+- `nixos.mysops` with `sops.defaultSopsFile = ./secrets.yaml` for host-local encrypted CA runtime material.
+- `nixos.step-ca` to run the CA daemon and render `/etc/smallstep/ca.json` from Nix plus SOPS paths.
+- `nixos.step-client` to install Step trust bootstrap defaults and root CA material.
+- `nixos.ssh-certs` so Janus itself participates in SSH host certificate flow.
+- `nixos.mtls` so Janus can issue and renew its own mTLS certificate bundle.
+
+## Step CA Deployment Pattern
+
+- Prefer structured Nix values rendered with `builtins.toJSON` over hand-written JSON strings for `ca.json`.
+- Prefer the NixOS `services.step-ca.settings` interface for normal `ca.json` settings. Use a `sops.templates`-rendered config only when the rendered JSON needs sops-nix placeholders or runtime secret paths.
+- Keep secret-bearing `ca.json` content rendered through `sops.templates` when it includes values from `config.sops.placeholder`; do not put decrypted private keys, passwords, or provisioner encrypted private-key values directly in the Nix store.
+- Continue using `services.step-ca` for the daemon contract: `enable`, `settings`, `address`, `port`, `openFirewall`, `package`, and `intermediatePasswordFile`.
+- Remember that the NixOS module overrides `services.step-ca.settings.address` with `services.step-ca.address` plus `services.step-ca.port`. Change the high-level address/port options when changing the listener.
+- Keep the intermediate password as a runtime string path from `config.sops.secrets.<name>.path`; do not use a Nix path literal or the password file can be copied to the globally readable Nix store. Do not pass passwords through command-line arguments or environment variables.
+- Account for upstream NixOS service behavior when debugging: the module writes `/etc/smallstep/ca.json`, starts `step-ca.service` as `Type=notify`, sets `DynamicUser = true`, uses `StateDirectory = "step-ca"`, and passes `intermediatePasswordFile` through systemd `LoadCredential`.
+- If `step-ca` cannot read key files referenced by `ca.json`, check sops-nix owner/group/mode and systemd credential handling before loosening permissions. The password file path and CA signing key paths are separate contracts.
+- Keep Step CA runtime state in `/var/lib/step-ca/db` unless the task explicitly migrates storage. If moving away from embedded Badger, document database backup and HA implications.
+- Keep `root`, `crt`, `key`, `ssh.hostKey`, and `ssh.userKey` in `ca.json` pointing at public cert paths or sops-nix materialized secret paths as appropriate.
+- Use an ACME provisioner for automated X.509 issuance, an `SSHPOP` provisioner for SSH certificate renewal/rekey behavior, and the `admin` JWK provisioner for explicit administrative or scripted issuance. Ensure JWK claims include `enableSSHCA = true` when it is expected to sign SSH certificates.
+- Treat Nix and SOPS as the source of truth. If `step ca provisioner add`, `remove`, or `update` is used for investigation, copy the intended result back into Nix/SOPS and reload or restart `step-ca`; do not leave live `ca.json` drift on the host.
+- Use `authority.claims` or provisioner-level claims for certificate lifetimes, renewal behavior, and SSH CA enablement. Avoid `allowRenewalAfterExpiry` unless the task explicitly accepts the added risk for intermittently connected clients.
+- Add `authority.policy` when constraining which X.509 SANs or SSH principals Janus may issue. This is mandatory for any move away from private/LAN-only operation.
+
+## CA Material And Secret Placement
+
+Store each kind of material in the narrowest place that matches who needs it:
+
+- `modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml`: Janus runtime CA secrets used by `step-ca`, including `janus/ca_password`, `janus/intermediate_ca_key`, `janus/ssh_host_ca_key`, `janus/ssh_user_ca_key`, and `janus/admin_provisioner_encrypted_key`.
+- `keys/secrets.yaml`: shared provisioner credential `janus/admin_jwk`, because client and host certificate modules outside Janus consume it to request certs.
+- `modules/hosts/janus/root_ca.crt`, `intermediate_ca.crt`, `fingerprint`, `ssh_user_ca_key.pub`, and `ssh_host_ca_key.pub`: public trust artifacts that may be committed and reviewed.
+- Offline secret storage only: `root_ca_key` and the root key password. The running CA should not need the root private key for normal operation.
+
+When editing secrets:
+
+- Use SOPS commands (`sops`, `edit-secrets`, or `sops set`) rather than editing `ENC[...]` payloads.
+- Use YAML literal blocks for PEM or OpenSSH private keys so newlines are preserved.
+- After changing Janus recipient rules, run `sops --config .sops.yaml updatekeys -y modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml` so the host-local file is actually rewrapped.
+- Keep `.sops.yaml` scoped: Janus host runtime secrets should match `modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml`; shared credentials should match `keys/secrets.yaml`.
+
+## Public Trust Artifacts
+
+- If `root_ca.crt` changes, update `fingerprint` from `step certificate fingerprint <root_ca.crt>` and update `modules/features/step-client.nix` defaults in the same change.
+- If `intermediate_ca.crt` changes, confirm it still chains to the committed root and that the running CA uses the matching `intermediate_ca_key` from SOPS.
+- If SSH CA keys rotate, update the matching public key files and every SSH trust consumer, including `modules/services/ssh.nix` known-host CA values and `TrustedUserCAKeys` behavior.
+- Treat `README.md` bootstrap commands as part of the operational contract. Keep them aligned with secret names, public artifact paths, CA URL, DNS names, and IP SANs.
+
+## mTLS And Client Trust
+
+- Janus mTLS values should stay aligned with Step CA identity: update `step-ca.dnsNames`, `mtls.subject`, `mtls.san`, and Step client defaults together when CA names or addresses change.
+- `modules/features/step-client.nix` is the shared bootstrap surface. Its default CA URL, root certificate, and fingerprint should describe Janus unless the repo intentionally migrates to another CA.
+- mTLS certificate files are runtime outputs under the configured cert directory, not tracked source files. Do not store mTLS private keys in Git or the Nix store.
+
+## Step/Nix Troubleshooting Checklist
+
+Start with the smallest check that matches the change:
+
+1. Host evaluation: `nix eval .#nixosConfigurations.janus.config.system.build.toplevel.drvPath`
+2. Build planning: `nix build .#nixosConfigurations.janus.config.system.build.toplevel --no-link --dry-run`
+3. Secret contract: confirm every `step-ca.secrets.*` value has a matching `sops.secrets` declaration and a matching key in `modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml`.
+4. Rendered config: on the host, inspect `/etc/smallstep/ca.json` or `/etc/step-ca` paths without copying secret content into logs.
+5. Service health: check `systemctl status step-ca.service`, `journalctl -u step-ca.service`, and `step ca health --ca-url https://janus.john-stream.com` after trust is bootstrapped.
+6. Provisioners: use `step ca provisioner list` to confirm ACME, SSHPOP, and admin JWK availability.
+7. SSH cert flow: use `ssh-host-cert-check`, `systemctl status ssh-certs-renew.service`, and `systemctl status ssh-certs-renew.timer`.
+8. mTLS flow: use `mtls-check`, `mtls-generate`, and `systemctl status mtls-renew.timer` for host certificate renewal issues.
+
+## Change Safety Rules
+
+- Do not deploy a root private key to Janus unless the task explicitly changes the trust model.
+- Do not rename `janus/admin_jwk` without updating all consumers in the same change.
+- Do not expose ACME or `/provisioners` endpoints publicly without an explicit migration away from the private/LAN-only model plus policy and endpoint exposure review.
+- Do not use certificate templates casually; if templates are added, keep them narrow and use `toJson` for user-controlled values.
+- If changing certificate durations, prefer short-lived leaf certs with automated renewal over long-lived leaf certs.
+- If changing service ports or proxying, account for Step renewal behavior: mTLS renewal is sensitive to layer-7 proxies unless configured for token-based renewal.

.github/instructions/sops-secrets.instructions.md

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+---
+description: "Use when working with SOPS in this repo: editing secrets, adding multiline values, changing recipients, or wiring sops-nix consumers. Captures repo conventions, safe commands, and validation habits."
+applyTo: ".sops.yaml, keys/secrets.yaml, modules/hosts/**/secrets.yaml, modules/hosts/**/*.nix, modules/programs/sops.nix, modules/features/**/*.nix, modules/services/**/*.nix"
+---
+
+# Using SOPS In This Repo
+
+This repo treats SOPS files as the source of encrypted runtime material, and Nix code as the wiring that exposes those secrets to services. Keep those roles separate: edit secret values with SOPS, consume them through sops-nix paths, and keep recipient policy scoped to the machines or operators that actually need access.
+
+## Mental Model
+
+- Secrets live in encrypted YAML files; Nix modules should refer to secret paths, not decrypted values.
+- Host-only credentials belong in `modules/hosts/<host>/secrets.yaml`.
+- Shared credentials belong in `keys/secrets.yaml` only when multiple hosts intentionally consume the same material.
+- `.sops.yaml` controls who can decrypt each file; keep those recipient sets narrow and explicit.
+- Secret key names are an interface. Rename them only when every consumer changes in the same edit.
+
+## Editing Secrets
+
+- Use SOPS tooling for all value changes: `sops <file>`, `edit-secrets`, or `sops set ...`.
+- Do not hand-edit `ENC[...]` payloads. That bypasses SOPS and breaks the encrypted document's integrity metadata.
+- Keep plaintext out of tracked files. Temporary plaintext files are acceptable only as local working inputs and should be removed after use.
+- Prefer `SOPS_EDITOR=nvim sops <file>` for interactive edits when editor choice matters.
+
+For large or generated values, avoid putting the secret directly in shell history:
+
+```bash
+sops set --value-file <secrets-file> '["parent"]["key"]' /path/to/plaintext-value
+```
+
+If using inline `sops set`, the value argument must be valid JSON.
+
+## Multiline Values
+
+Use YAML literal blocks for private keys, certificates, provisioner keys, and other values where newlines matter:
+
+```yaml
+janus:
+  ssh_user_ca_key: |-
+    -----BEGIN OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----
+    ...
+    -----END OPENSSH PRIVATE KEY-----
+```
+
+- Use `|-` when the final trailing newline should be stripped.
+- Use `|` when the consuming program expects the final trailing newline.
+- Avoid folded style (`>`) for keys and certs because it rewrites line breaks.
+
+## Wiring Secrets Into Nix
+
+- Consume secrets through `config.sops.secrets."<key>".path` or `config.sops.placeholder` where templating requires it.
+- Do not read decrypted secret contents during Nix evaluation.
+- Set `owner`, `group`, and `mode` explicitly for non-root services.
+- Use `path` or `sops.templates` when a service needs a specific file layout instead of copying secret contents into the store or tracked files.
+- If moving a secret between shared and host-local files, update `sops.defaultSopsFile`, `mysops.hostSecretFile`, and every affected `sops.secrets` declaration together.
+
+## Recipient And Rotation Practices
+
+- Add dedicated `.sops.yaml` `path_regex` rules for host-local files before broad fallback rules.
+- Keep broad fallback rules conservative; do not expand them to grant casual access to every YAML or JSON file.
+- Run `sops updatekeys <file>` after changing recipients so data is rewrapped for the new key set.
+- Rotate or migrate in order: update recipients, re-encrypt affected files, update consumers, then validate affected hosts.
+
+## Validation Habits
+
+After SOPS or sops-nix changes, check the contract rather than only the syntax:
+
+1. The expected secrets file is still selected by `sops.defaultSopsFile` or `mysops.hostSecretFile`.
+2. `.sops.yaml` has a specific rule for any host-local `secrets.yaml` touched.
+3. Secret names in YAML still match the `sops.secrets."<key>"` declarations.
+4. Services that need restart or reload behavior have `restartUnits` or `reloadUnits` set.
+5. Affected host evaluation/build catches missing secret keys before deployment.

.github/instructions/soteria-host.instructions.md

@@ -19,31 +19,31 @@ Use this instruction when changing Soteria host wiring in `modules/hosts/soteria
 
 When editing `modules/hosts/soteria/default.nix`, preserve this composition unless the task explicitly changes architecture:
 
-- Import `nixos.step-ssh-host` to enable host SSH cert integration.
+- Import `nixos.ssh-certs` to enable host SSH cert integration.
 - Import `nixos.janus-ca` so Step client trust material and defaults remain available.
 - Import `nixos.restic-server` so the RESTic REST server implementation lives in the shared module rather than inline host wiring.
-- Keep `step-ssh-host.hostname = hostname;` so cert principals match host naming.
+- Keep `ssh-certs.hostname = hostname;` so cert principals match host naming.
 
 ## SSH Cert Mechanics On Soteria
 
 Soteria SSH certificate behavior is the result of multiple modules. Keep this flow intact:
 
-1. `soteria/default.nix` imports `nixos.step-ssh-host` and sets `step-ssh-host.hostname = "soteria"` (via `hostname`).
+1. `soteria/default.nix` imports `nixos.ssh-certs` and sets `ssh-certs.hostname = "soteria"` (via `hostname`).
 2. `modules/services/step-ca/ssh-host.nix`:
    - Enables `ssh.certificates.enable = true`.
    - Requires `sops.secrets."janus/admin_jwk"` (provisioner credential) from Soteria's `secrets.yaml`.
    - Defines cert paths at `/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key` and `/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key-cert.pub`.
    - Exposes `ssh-host-cert-renew` and `ssh-host-cert-check` helper binaries.
-   - Schedules `step-ssh-host-renew.timer` every 4h with jitter.
+   - Schedules `ssh-certs-renew.timer` every 4h with jitter.
 3. `modules/services/ssh.nix` consumes `ssh.certificates.enable` and configures OpenSSH to:
-   - Set `TrustedUserCAKeys = /etc/ssh/ssh_user_ca.pub`.
+   - Set `TrustedUserCAKeys = /etc/ssh/ssh_user_ca_key.pub`.
    - Set `HostCertificate = /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key-cert.pub`.
-   - Install the trusted user CA file into `/etc/ssh/ssh_user_ca.pub`.
+   - Install the trusted user CA file into `/etc/ssh/ssh_user_ca_key.pub`.
 4. `nixos.janus-ca` provides Step CA trust bootstrapping (`/etc/step-ca/defaults.json` and linked root CA material), allowing Step CLI operations to trust and reach the CA endpoint.
 
 Current implementation note:
 
-- `step-ssh-host-renew.service` currently checks renewal state via `step ssh needs-renewal` and logs status. It does not directly invoke `ssh-host-cert-renew` in the service script. Preserve this behavior unless the task explicitly asks to change renewal execution semantics.
+- `ssh-certs-renew.service` currently checks renewal state via `step ssh needs-renewal` and logs status. It does not directly invoke `ssh-host-cert-renew` in the service script. Preserve this behavior unless the task explicitly asks to change renewal execution semantics.
 
 ## SOPS/Secrets Mechanics On Soteria
 
@@ -135,5 +135,5 @@ Current implementation note:
 
 - Do not rename the secret key `janus/admin_jwk` without updating all consumers.
 - Do not change SSH host key/cert filenames unless OpenSSH `HostKey`/`HostCertificate` paths are updated together.
-- If changing hostnames or domains, update cert principals in `step-ssh-host` and corresponding SSH client targets together.
+- If changing hostnames or domains, update cert principals in `ssh-certs` and corresponding SSH client targets together.
-- If adding or removing `nixos.step-ssh-host`, explain impact on SSH cert issuance, renewal, and trust in the change summary.
+- If adding or removing `nixos.ssh-certs`, explain impact on SSH cert issuance, renewal, and trust in the change summary.

.github/instructions/step-ssh-host.instructions.md

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ Use this instruction when changing the shared NixOS module in modules/services/s
 
 - Keep this module reusable across hosts; do not hard-code host-local file paths beyond SSH system paths under /etc/ssh.
 - Preserve the option interface unless the task explicitly changes it:
-  - step-ssh-host.hostname (required host identity used for cert principals)
+  - ssh-certs.hostname (required host identity used for cert principals)
-  - step-ssh-host.provisioner (default: "admin")
+  - ssh-certs.provisioner (default: "admin")
 - Keep imports = [ inputs.self.modules.nixos.ssh ] so OpenSSH host certificate settings stay composed through the shared SSH module.
 
 ## Secret Key Contract
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ When this module is enabled by a host, the host is expected to provide:
 
 - A working Step trust/bootstrap path (for example via janus-ca or equivalent trust material).
 - `sops.defaultSopsFile` containing `janus.admin_jwk` (or equivalent if contract is intentionally changed everywhere).
-- `step-ssh-host.hostname` matching deployed host identity and DNS naming expectations.
+- `ssh-certs.hostname` matching deployed host identity and DNS naming expectations.
 
 ## SSH Certificate Paths And Principals
 

.gitignore

@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 result/
 .devenv/
+*.gz

.sops.yaml

@@ -3,7 +3,22 @@ keys:
   - &john-pc age1ykcs39e62pz3xu6cedg8ea685kv5d5qsrhgkndygzm8rx30xd5ys5t3qxt
   - &test-nix age1gvplss0ddmyf6vpjy363wu3n057vhm0j6n7tc94cxd8kadapypws5mtaj0
   - &soteria age1h0prahyukq4l564yqwgcpg3g6gdrjflk0suklussjjrjstxd9uesws8633
+  - &janus age1qahhlzeanprtykym9jymk2t95uedr7cwx9sdshx46q2m6u66fucsqua8l3
 creation_rules:
+  - path_regex: modules/hosts/janus/secrets\.yaml$
+    key_groups:
+    - age:
+      - *janus
+      - *john-pc
+      - *test-nix
+  - path_regex: keys/secrets\.yaml$
+    key_groups:
+    - age:
+      - *john-p14s
+      - *john-pc
+      - *test-nix
+      - *soteria
+      - *janus
   - path_regex: soteria/secrets\.yaml$
     key_groups:
     - age:

flake.lock

@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@
         ]
       },
       "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1778716662,
+        "lastModified": 1782949081,
-        "narHash": "sha256-m1Yf0wZ8j1OHjTc2UwHwyQRSnNeSgLJOd7q5Y45hzi4=",
+        "narHash": "sha256-vp6Y/Grm98ESt6ceOkWiHWyZRDV3J1RID4w+6NWK9yA=",
         "owner": "hercules-ci",
         "repo": "flake-parts",
-        "rev": "f7c1a2d347e4c52d5fb8d10cb4d94b5884e546fb",
+        "rev": "17c9d6cdfc60c64f4ee8d306f9bc0b4ccb51481e",
         "type": "github"
       },
       "original": {
@@ -95,11 +95,11 @@
         "nixpkgs": "nixpkgs"
       },
       "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1782881387,
+        "lastModified": 1783134515,
-        "narHash": "sha256-HvlS1KDGXDjd1bNzzPvH1mkDJATlDAfVYfTh//wJBEA=",
+        "narHash": "sha256-qMoZazubXlXUD9k/syJ/aiWC4X4g73mwVmZ7Z4+rdpM=",
         "owner": "nix-community",
         "repo": "home-manager",
-        "rev": "d32537981c036473cf6990ae03176a5d84c43b29",
+        "rev": "b885baad531fa3d3beae2ba9a0712d22974d8016",
         "type": "github"
       },
       "original": {
@@ -193,11 +193,11 @@
     },
     "nixpkgs_2": {
       "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1782821651,
+        "lastModified": 1782948114,
-        "narHash": "sha256-OBddwHNJ+qxOHaKih0bE2PXJeZHlzUC8WOHZrUcnFwY=",
+        "narHash": "sha256-VGtEDss4T0hPTnlWiiaa29y/lXM9SxuSMVtzPYf3wS0=",
-        "rev": "e52c192be9d7b2c4bd4aed326c8731b35f8bb75c",
+        "rev": "9e92285f211dad236540fd617d7e30e0b99bc0e1",
         "type": "tarball",
-        "url": "https://releases.nixos.org/nixpkgs/nixpkgs-26.11pre1025128.e52c192be9d7/nixexprs.tar.xz"
+        "url": "https://releases.nixos.org/nixpkgs/nixpkgs-26.11pre1026211.9e92285f211d/nixexprs.tar.xz"
       },
       "original": {
         "type": "tarball",
@@ -215,11 +215,11 @@
         "systems": "systems_2"
       },
       "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1782841360,
+        "lastModified": 1783164413,
-        "narHash": "sha256-S1f/S5Vv7wURVUtzPkmAFlKPVciaPLXxoeg7/GCnl28=",
+        "narHash": "sha256-7DMamcvS35/tI+KZKXt45bHAq2Vnucl74Xetvp7DR3I=",
         "owner": "notashelf",
         "repo": "nvf",
-        "rev": "6fad9e9a998dd3a7783c839ce2928877d3e5a883",
+        "rev": "c8386ccfbc7053d454fa2d12d716c6ebb4167d51",
         "type": "github"
       },
       "original": {
@@ -250,11 +250,11 @@
         ]
       },
       "locked": {
-        "lastModified": 1782165805,
+        "lastModified": 1783174389,
-        "narHash": "sha256-478kKQBvK6SYTOdN2h9jhKJv94nbXRbFMfuL1WshErg=",
+        "narHash": "sha256-aCWC8ngycU7OdJrU2+Je3qf+1a2ykuBvpPhZT/9tXMc=",
         "owner": "Mic92",
         "repo": "sops-nix",
-        "rev": "56b24064fdcaedca53553b1a6d607fd23b613a24",
+        "rev": "f1406619a3884cd5c47992a70b8b35c9c0fcb4c9",
         "type": "github"
       },
       "original": {

keys/secrets.yaml

@@ -9,33 +9,51 @@ api:
     gmail_client_secret: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:du2gEY5TQIwpUEvJKDWKY3noLRGeiKek4IMwPUusVx8NMys=,iv:hIYi1xQYf6+hDhK0pNprBYu6wXwRH2yOTwQg6pzQa0A=,tag:sqmQ5GCkKbHpIy2R+Y5G/A==,type:str]
 sops:
     age:
-        - recipient: age1f6drjusg866yscj8029tk4yfpgecklrvezldm02ankm6h8nnwu5s2u6ahy
+        - enc: |
-          enc: |
             -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
-            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSB0UEpja2kxdThZVWZhOGVP
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSAwWlpYV1o3SVdJdmJ5TWM3
-            S0NtSi84MjhnN0RORkh2NjZ4YlYvWS9kZDBNClFzYnVxWnhmQkpCRkRFVUx1RDdX
+            Qmg4WVkvL21aQ2wvMUcxeGIxL2FQRUNOZFhZCkFqT3RtNTZvODJZczVwcEZkMzBp
-            ZHFqYXRqYXM0cWJzcU5EeEtSR1BUVzAKLS0tIDdEY2pnVTJqWlNZVkZldXVYVmFH
+            eFFTVmJLb1ZOQVVVSWl4OVNQWkM4VWcKLS0tIEV4WmhEOGpkUWFBTCtqaldxdXFO
-            dVNBRUVodU5sRnpVcG1GZ1RiZzhjTXMKefqBvvD/qZwcSHmFjUnleukVRLueG36Y
+            T20rVXNrY0ZBWlBaS0lWdGIrYUFNdm8KL06MsEu0fy6gKX5khZoxaypKDgEEJnTL
-            Q81KlwQweF2F8kHl7Bqsi+3hH1dZZbVm3vjuGpWFOoti7fowUV55Kw==
+            hCh4sCmTC3l7vQLv6deWf1Xhc8vSYhhNaWFCZ+KSaUen+6Bm/WrRIg==
             -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
-        - recipient: age1ykcs39e62pz3xu6cedg8ea685kv5d5qsrhgkndygzm8rx30xd5ys5t3qxt
+          recipient: age1f6drjusg866yscj8029tk4yfpgecklrvezldm02ankm6h8nnwu5s2u6ahy
-          enc: |
+        - enc: |
             -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
-            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBqZFZxbDhVUWFEUGhPMlZI
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSAwRGVJTXJtSk9KUFpCdksv
-            SFdBYkpxSnAxTUZXbjVwQnlZQ3l1SWtuZGg0CmVBdnVHbTNUcmwvK01iMnZKZTJh
+            SUJ4YXBSTndhZkVHNlV2TTlyS0MrQXdqOG1jCkk0c3p0ZUlHMzZmR0FTUTMxOTl1
-            ajFla3kzYUl4ZWY3czA0WUdNM2lpVFUKLS0tIHo5Uk1pV296MXdnUTZGQ25haWZG
+            c0dFTW9yZFpuSUdwVUs0dlJiL2d2cFUKLS0tIE1VWldEYmR6cWFoRTkycmllVnpt
-            QWZDWGRaRDBhY1ZkZk5oTHY0ZVV2RXMKanv+WWRhf5nl+aw/T6QZFVQQmhV1DZfB
+            TGYxU2J0NzAvMjBMOXVMZEJTYTNkamMK2zfuTeHJ/8I07oNhp3MN1wKlmtVpahke
-            jkSzOAKOgPx7toYFmpq9E8fAH+zrMzDbxI2z2uyrOFI6v+QE0Ul/iQ==
+            cz8FVesp/+53HxfQAdnC7l/Cv7P71aVEyr2/oTEd4gt9HsHVVw3O6A==
             -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
-        - recipient: age1gvplss0ddmyf6vpjy363wu3n057vhm0j6n7tc94cxd8kadapypws5mtaj0
+          recipient: age1ykcs39e62pz3xu6cedg8ea685kv5d5qsrhgkndygzm8rx30xd5ys5t3qxt
-          enc: |
+        - enc: |
             -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
-            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBZcGtMNi9RSG5aTVV5cWdT
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBwR3VEWmZ4REpUN0M5NTRT
-            NittUXN0Qnpld1YvOU50OUh3Z3ZiSzhHOHdNCnc4TmdYbS9QQnBLbldHSytIdkJl
+            U1l1S0k1MnFrYnhRanB4UStOQU0vYXE0TjFZCld2cDBlRXNyRlJWMlZ4TENadURy
-            R0psQWxkZTgyZTRzckkrTGpyNCsvR2sKLS0tIEdLb05aT2I2S3BKcFRrVmtvTGw5
+            cUN0RmpYYld3WlY0TzkyNXlqbFVnKzgKLS0tIHhtSG5VU3RMclMyZFJmbk1DMkV6
-            Z1orRCtkTDVXSktuck5pTmV4K05qZHMKZlHHu07q+GnyDDgdwW2Ic3P23PmoSPwn
+            elRhVTV6Tk5OTjUybldvUXY3Sk9hdkEKg17Pagk12Pvj6cNr49HN8tImM4w7pnkc
-            WuNLZdlZQleROaRb+zpD+9P1HGGJ3mWAlNlnmjGrRk453k1PbBQ5Og==
+            XLCWIHUCe3QpJlgs4USXbyA06PmsNl7PVvCoxmf6tPegt+SFMTuDRQ==
             -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+          recipient: age1gvplss0ddmyf6vpjy363wu3n057vhm0j6n7tc94cxd8kadapypws5mtaj0
+        - enc: |
+            -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBMUUtJWklHTGpLYTJuMkZi
+            N2YzMlBUU3dxUGZwSUJjRktVYmp4RlowZ0c0CmdWdmFOQndpQWM0a0VOZUtlckhz
+            SktRclh5ZFZLaCt2RjhIdGU1aUs0c2sKLS0tIGI4UGFUcHhPVis5Z3dhanhiMGwv
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+            3VvsUZLxnV1yWu83X1bp6uZA3YLMdQgPcHezdgmIyixp+ATHh9fgzw==
+            -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+          recipient: age1h0prahyukq4l564yqwgcpg3g6gdrjflk0suklussjjrjstxd9uesws8633
+        - enc: |
+            -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBtOHFwemUyc2pEKzlibVBo
+            MlI4R0VTMHpwK21MaXZkSUp5dnIwUnVZOFRvCjVsM3FrclFJL0s2a1RwU1F2VXNF
+            MnRBOVUydFdEWXY3Mk9oTGw5Z05Zb28KLS0tIE9QRFdCVGR1Z0UyeE5KSzgrWnpP
+            Q25nZWx3bFdlek1OSjJsSk1QREdGRU0K++hDWzoKbBkGkMAkruuEwQKa1Jrc8POs
+            liN274cEdi1T6nmwBJ05w0alUR2XuYEn9HNKdvz8EntNuKIhCpHing==
+            -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+          recipient: age1qahhlzeanprtykym9jymk2t95uedr7cwx9sdshx46q2m6u66fucsqua8l3
     lastmodified: "2026-03-15T15:06:29Z"
     mac: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:cF/TJ8VkzrHRUrO5iGdRdlFtqV/5EQ15JwQKIywJvsh0NERK67T21czSP7923MiL0u5QTVPn/rO8R5E/8gBu3r8+fLq+CFl9PDQHEX2JhnYOD5WZR412WMZq3MVR94IMTOrQANMVpS4uhMyvnrqOe4AenxLDyzrYhkwf1KQh4w0=,iv:Qwy8z4uXGMlf+kTMNiE42M9l8LtSJ+O7diknRrsSeYI=,tag:qlCY9r8HnEDmq/jw59C/sg==,type:str]
     unencrypted_suffix: _unencrypted

modules/features/mtls.nix

@@ -144,6 +144,33 @@ in
           type = lib.types.str;
           default = "/etc/step-ca/certs";
         };
+        bootstrap = {
+          enable = lib.mkOption {
+            description = "Enable initial mTLS issuance when cert material is missing or invalid.";
+            type = lib.types.bool;
+            default = false;
+          };
+          wantedBy = lib.mkOption {
+            description = "systemd targets that should pull in mtls-bootstrap.service.";
+            type = with lib.types; listOf str;
+            default = [ "multi-user.target" ];
+          };
+          after = lib.mkOption {
+            description = "systemd units/targets that mtls-bootstrap.service should run after.";
+            type = with lib.types; listOf str;
+            default = [ "network-online.target" ];
+          };
+          wants = lib.mkOption {
+            description = "systemd units/targets that mtls-bootstrap.service should pull in.";
+            type = with lib.types; listOf str;
+            default = [ "network-online.target" ];
+          };
+          provisionerPasswordFile = lib.mkOption {
+            description = "Optional path passed to mtls-generate as --provisioner-password-file for noninteractive issuance.";
+            type = lib.types.nullOr lib.types.str;
+            default = null;
+          };
+        };
         certReaders = lib.mkOption {
           description = "";
           type = lib.types.listOf lib.types.str;
@@ -179,6 +206,38 @@ in
           mtlsRenewWrapper.outputs.systemd-system
         ];
 
+        systemd.services.mtls-bootstrap = lib.mkIf cfg.bootstrap.enable {
+          description = "Issue initial mTLS certificate if missing or invalid";
+          wantedBy = cfg.bootstrap.wantedBy;
+          after = cfg.bootstrap.after;
+          wants = cfg.bootstrap.wants;
+          path = with pkgs; [ coreutils step-cli ];
+          serviceConfig = {
+            Type = "oneshot";
+            User = cfg.renew.user;
+            Group = cfg.renew.group;
+          };
+          script = ''
+            set -euo pipefail
+
+            if [ -s "${cfg.certFile}" ] \
+              && [ -s "${cfg.keyFile}" ] \
+              && [ -s "${cfg.bundleFile}" ] \
+              && step certificate inspect "${cfg.certFile}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              echo "mTLS certificate already exists"
+              exit 0
+            fi
+
+            echo "Issuing initial mTLS certificate"
+            cmd=(/run/current-system/sw/bin/mtls-generate)
+            ${lib.optionalString (cfg.bootstrap.provisionerPasswordFile != null) ''
+              cmd+=(--provisioner-password-file "${cfg.bootstrap.provisionerPasswordFile}")
+            ''}
+
+            "''${cmd[@]}"
+          '';
+        };
+
         systemd.timers.mtls-renew = lib.mkIf cfg.renew.enable {
           wantedBy = [ "timers.target" ];
           timerConfig = {

modules/features/step-client.nix

@@ -1,29 +1,146 @@
-{ self, inputs, ... }: {
+{ self, inputs, ... }:
-  flake.modules.homeManager.step-client = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }: {
+let
-    home.file.".step/config/defaults.json".text = builtins.toJSON {
+  defaultCaUrl = "https://janus.john-stream.com/";
-      ca-url = "https://janus.john-stream.com/";
+  defaultFingerprint = "2036c44f7b5901566ff7611ea6c927291ecc6d2dd00779c0eead70ec77fa10d6";
-      fingerprint = "2036c44f7b5901566ff7611ea6c927291ecc6d2dd00779c0eead70ec77fa10d6";
+  defaultRoot = ../hosts/janus/root_ca.crt;
-      root = ../hosts/janus/root_ca.crt;
+
+  mkStepBootstrap = { pkgs, caUrl, fingerprint, install ? false }:
+    (inputs.self.wrappers.stepBootstrap.apply {
+      inherit pkgs install;
+      ca-url = caUrl;
+      inherit fingerprint;
+    }).wrapper;
+
+  mkDefaultsText = cfg: builtins.toJSON {
+    ca-url = cfg.caUrl;
+    fingerprint = cfg.fingerprint;
+    root = cfg.root;
   };
-    home.packages = [
+in
-      inputs.self.packages.${pkgs.stdenv.hostPlatform.system}.step-bootstrap
+{
+  flake.modules.nixos.step-client = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
+    let
+      cfg = config."step-client";
+    in
+    {
+      options."step-client" = {
+        enable = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "Enable step-ca client bootstrap";
+          type = lib.types.bool;
+          default = true;
+        };
+
+        caUrl = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "The step-ca URL used for bootstrap and renewal.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+          default = defaultCaUrl;
+        };
+
+        fingerprint = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "The SHA256 fingerprint of the step-ca root certificate.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+          default = defaultFingerprint;
+        };
+
+        root = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "The step-ca root certificate used for bootstrap.";
+          type = lib.types.path;
+          default = defaultRoot;
+        };
+
+        certDir = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "Directory used to store root CA material for mTLS and step bootstrap.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+          default = "/etc/step-ca/certs";
+        };
+      };
+
+      config = lib.mkIf cfg.enable {
+        environment.systemPackages = [
+          (mkStepBootstrap {
+            inherit pkgs;
+            caUrl = cfg.caUrl;
+            fingerprint = cfg.fingerprint;
+          })
         ];
-    # sops.secrets."step-ca-defaults" = {
+
-    #   sopsFile = ../hosts/janus/defaults.json;
+        environment.etc."step-ca/defaults.json".text = mkDefaultsText cfg;
-    #   format = "json";
+
-    #   key = ""; # This causes it to decode the whole file
+        systemd.tmpfiles.rules = [
-    #   path = "${config.home.homeDirectory}/defaults.json";
+          "d ${cfg.certDir} 0750 root root -"
-    #   mode = "0400";
+          "L+ ${cfg.certDir}/root_ca.crt - - - - ${cfg.root}"
-    # };
+          "d /root/.step 0700 root root -"
+          "d /root/.step/config 0700 root root -"
+          "d /root/.step/certs 0700 root root -"
+          "L+ /root/.step/config/defaults.json - - - - /etc/step-ca/defaults.json"
+          "L+ /root/.step/certs/root_ca.crt - - - - ${cfg.certDir}/root_ca.crt"
+        ];
+      };
+    };
+
+  flake.modules.homeManager.step-client = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
+    let
+      cfg = config."step-client";
+    in
+    {
+      options."step-client" = {
+        enable = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "Enable step-ca client bootstrap";
+          type = lib.types.bool;
+          default = true;
+        };
+
+        caUrl = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "The step-ca URL used for bootstrap and renewal.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+          default = defaultCaUrl;
+        };
+
+        fingerprint = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "The SHA256 fingerprint of the step-ca root certificate.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+          default = defaultFingerprint;
+        };
+
+        root = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "The step-ca root certificate used for bootstrap.";
+          type = lib.types.path;
+          default = defaultRoot;
+        };
+
+        certDir = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "Directory used to store root CA material for mTLS and step bootstrap.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+          default = "${config.home.homeDirectory}/.step/certs";
+        };
+      };
+
+      config = lib.mkIf cfg.enable (
+        let
+          certDirPath = lib.removePrefix "${config.home.homeDirectory}/" cfg.certDir;
+        in
+        {
+        home.packages = [
+          (mkStepBootstrap {
+            inherit pkgs;
+            caUrl = cfg.caUrl;
+            fingerprint = cfg.fingerprint;
+          })
+        ];
+
+        home.file.".step/config/defaults.json".text = mkDefaultsText cfg;
+        home.file."${certDirPath}/root_ca.crt".source = cfg.root;
+        }
+      );
     };
 
   perSystem = { system, pkgs, lib, ... }: {
-    packages.step-bootstrap = (inputs.self.wrappers.stepBootstrap.apply {
+    packages.step-bootstrap = mkStepBootstrap {
       inherit pkgs;
-      ca-url = "https://janus.john-stream.com";
+      caUrl = defaultCaUrl;
-      fingerprint = "2036c44f7b5901566ff7611ea6c927291ecc6d2dd00779c0eead70ec77fa10d6";
+      fingerprint = defaultFingerprint;
       install = true;
-    }).wrapper;
+    };
   };
 
   flake.wrappers.stepBootstrap = inputs.wrappers.lib.wrapModule ({config, lib, wlib, ... }: {

modules/hosts/janus/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+# Janus
+
+Generate passwords:
+```shell
+mkdir -p /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap && chmod 700 /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap && cd /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap && umask 077 && openssl rand -base64 48 > ca_password.txt && openssl rand -base64 48 > admin_jwk_password.txt
+```
+
+Generate the Janus OpenSSH host key for reference (Janus now uses whatever key
+already exists on the target at `/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key`):
+
+```shell
+ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -N '' -C [email protected] -f /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/ssh_host_ed25519_key
+```
+
+Bootstrap CA materials with SSH enabled:
+```shell
+STEPPATH=/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step step ca init --name Janus --dns janus.john-stream.com --dns 192.168.1.244 --address :443 --provisioner admin --password-file /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/ca_password.txt --provisioner-password-file /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/admin_jwk_password.txt --ssh --deployment-type standalone --with-ca-url https://janus.john-stream.com
+```
+
+Insert generated runtime CA material into `modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml` under `janus`:
+
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/ca_password.txt` -> `ca_password`
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/secrets/intermediate_ca_key` -> `intermediate_ca_key`
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/secrets/ssh_host_ca_key` -> `ssh_host_ca_key`
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/secrets/ssh_user_ca_key` -> `ssh_user_ca_key`
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/config/ca.json` -> `admin_provisioner_encrypted_key` (copy `authority.provisioners[].encryptedKey` for the `admin` JWK provisioner)
+
+If you are only validating wiring first, `admin_provisioner_encrypted_key` can be an encrypted placeholder and replaced later.
+
+If rotating provisioner password, also set:
+
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/admin_jwk_password.txt` -> `janus.admin_jwk` in `keys/secrets.yaml`
+
+Secret source-of-truth after this split:
+
+- `modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml`: Janus runtime CA secrets (`ca_password`, `intermediate_ca_key`, `ssh_host_ca_key`, `ssh_user_ca_key`, `admin_provisioner_encrypted_key`)
+- `keys/secrets.yaml`: shared Janus provisioner secret (`janus.admin_jwk`) consumed by `ssh-certs` across hosts
+
+Then update public artifacts in repo from generated output:
+
+- `modules/hosts/janus/root_ca.crt` from `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/certs/root_ca.crt`
+- `modules/hosts/janus/intermediate_ca.crt` from `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/certs/intermediate_ca.crt` (public certificate; intentionally committed, not stored in SOPS)
+- `modules/hosts/janus/fingerprint` from:
+	```shell
+	step certificate fingerprint /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/certs/root_ca.crt
+	```
+- `modules/hosts/janus/ssh_user_ca_key.pub` from `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/certs/ssh_user_ca_key.pub`
+- `modules/hosts/janus/ssh_host_ca_key.pub` from `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/certs/ssh_host_ca_key.pub`
+
+## First boot checks
+
+After switching Janus, verify the declarative bootstrap units instead of running
+ad hoc issuance commands first:
+
+```shell
+systemctl status step-ca.service
+systemctl status ssh-certs-renew.service
+systemctl status ssh-certs-renew.timer
+systemctl status mtls-bootstrap.service
+ssh-host-cert-check
+mtls-check
+```
+
+`ssh-certs-renew.service` issues the SSH host certificate when it is missing
+or expiring. `mtls-bootstrap.service` issues the first Janus mTLS bundle
+only when the configured certificate files are absent or invalid; recurring mTLS
+renewal remains handled by `mtls-renew.timer`.
+
+## Back up the root CA key offline
+
+The root CA private key is **not** deployed and is never needed by the running CA.
+It is only used to sign/rotate intermediates. Store it offline (e.g. 1Password)
+before wiping the bootstrap directory, otherwise intermediate rotation becomes
+impossible and any future rotation forces a full root rotation (redistributing
+`root_ca.crt` + `fingerprint` to every client).
+
+Back up, then wipe the bootstrap material:
+
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/secrets/root_ca_key` -> offline secret store
+- `/tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/ca_password.txt` -> offline secret store (root/intermediate key password)
+
+```shell
+shred -u /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap/step/secrets/root_ca_key 2>/dev/null || true
+rm -rf /tmp/janus-step-ca-bootstrap
+```

modules/hosts/janus/default.nix

@@ -2,79 +2,63 @@
 let
   username = "john";
   hostname = "janus";
+  ipv4 = "192.168.1.32";
+  ipv6 = "fded:fb16:653e:25da:be24:11ff:fe6b:4d57";
 in
 {
-  flake.modules.nixos.janus-ca =
-    { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
-    let
-      cfg = config.janus-ca;
-      johnHome = lib.attrByPath [ "users" "users" username "home" ] "/home/${username}" config;
-      johnGroup = lib.attrByPath [ "users" "users" username "group" ] username config;
-      cfgInEtc = lib.hasPrefix "/etc/" cfg.certDir;
-      certDirEtcPath =
-        if cfgInEtc then
-          lib.removePrefix "/etc/" cfg.certDir
-        else
-          cfg.certDir;
-      mkStepRules = home: user: group: [
-        "d ${home}/.step 0700 ${user} ${group} -"
-        "d ${home}/.step/config 0700 ${user} ${group} -"
-        "d ${home}/.step/certs 0700 ${user} ${group} -"
-        "L+ ${home}/.step/config/defaults.json - - - - /etc/step-ca/defaults.json"
-        "L+ ${home}/.step/certs/root_ca.crt - - - - ${cfg.certDir}/root_ca.crt"
-      ];
-    in
-    {
-      options.janus-ca = {
-        certDir = lib.mkOption {
-          description = "String path to where the mtls certs will be stored.";
-          type = lib.types.str;
-          default = "/etc/step-ca/certs";
-        };
-      };
-
-      config = {
-        environment.etc = lib.mkIf cfgInEtc {
-          "step-ca/defaults.json".text = builtins.toJSON {
-            ca-url = "https://janus.john-stream.com/";
-            fingerprint = "2036c44f7b5901566ff7611ea6c927291ecc6d2dd00779c0eead70ec77fa10d6";
-            root = ./root_ca.crt;
-          };
-        };
-        systemd.tmpfiles.rules =
-          mkStepRules johnHome username johnGroup
-          ++ mkStepRules "/root" "root" "root";
-      };
-    };
-
   flake.nixosConfigurations."${hostname}" = inputs.nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
     modules = with inputs.self.modules; [
       nixos.lxc
       nixos.mysops
-      nixos.step-ssh-host
+      nixos.ssh-certs
-      nixos.janus-ca
+      nixos.step-client
+      nixos.step-ca
       inputs.home-manager.nixosModules.home-manager
       nixos."${username}"
       nixos.docker
       nixos.login-text
       nixos.mtls
-      ({ lib, pkgs, ... }: {
+      ({ config, lib, pkgs, ... }: {
         networking.hostName = hostname;
-        sops.defaultSopsFile = ../../../keys/secrets.yaml;
+        loginText.extraServiceStatus = {
-        step-ssh-host = {
+          "Step-CA" = "step-ca";
-          hostname = hostname;
-          extraPrincipals = [
-            "192.168.1.244"
-            "fded:fb16:653e:25da:be24:11ff:fea0:753f"
-          ];
         };
+        sops.defaultSopsFile = ./secrets.yaml;
+        ssh-certs = {
+          hostname = hostname;
+          extraPrincipals = [ ipv4 ipv6 ];
+        };
+        step-ca = {
+          rootCertPath = ./root_ca.crt;
+          intermediateCertPath = ./intermediate_ca.crt;
+          dnsNames = [
+            "${hostname}.john-stream.com"
+            ipv4
+            ipv6
+          ];
+          secrets = {
+            sopsFile = ./secrets.yaml;
+            caPassword = "janus/ca_password";
+            intermediateKey = "janus/intermediate_ca_key";
+            sshHostCaKey = "janus/ssh_host_ca_key";
+            sshUserCaKey = "janus/ssh_user_ca_key";
+            adminProvisionerEncryptedKey = "janus/admin_provisioner_encrypted_key";
+          };
+        };
+        step-client.caUrl = "https://${ipv4}/";
         mtls = {
           enable = true;
           subject = hostname;
           san = [
             "${hostname}.john-stream.com"
-            "192.168.1.244"
+            ipv4
           ];
+          bootstrap = {
+            enable = true;
+            after = [ "sops-nix.service" "step-ca.service" ];
+            wants = [ "step-ca.service" ];
+            provisionerPasswordFile = config.sops.secrets."janus/admin_jwk".path;
+          };
         };
 
         users.users."${username}" = {
@@ -90,6 +74,7 @@ in
         home-manager.users."${username}" = {
           imports = with inputs.self.modules.homeManager; [
             mysops
+            step-client
           ];
           docker.enable = true;
         };

modules/hosts/janus/intermediate_ca.crt

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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+-----END CERTIFICATE-----

modules/hosts/janus/secrets.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+janus:
+    ca_password: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:z6i0ELrn6XwVbJ7gP1GkpWe0Xw==,iv:3pZs/kzPp6bL8iv8jITZnAHuCycbSjhWswgzuJuLvjE=,tag:3gUftdyVXPVWe5dGxh9dvw==,type:str]
+    intermediate_ca_key: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:tHP5V/yyrx7ydebg+cN30sLlRhnn01oWogywCUVm4YpKbWTJASaH4G74aaqPAGqETD1Go0Y5xR4DRkBJHBlTc3qzNj5/pzrSKwqfc537SCSUX79hTzw6MvTvukmbg4c/vF0ts5vZPYyi6mYwiAD2Ouk8HwU+AZOlCSm0VWL6rFjmq++fX4jhV0JRpcViBD8tjXpElpT/btyPAAXjaJgqMMZKALfwnAgXXrdy5E5FsuegQRfBadCDLsv0A+qq14CnstfPRkYAKqAhTL2HlmKKVtRiWTMZ6D14dYteUW+NQ33zKVIDz2a0M8tCp+41bDQWC9KrxrKcNVWc6ajAW11DzufP+lVhyWoZF+jkHZjWuy0lsgAUsTvZggLPU6euXHAjDeO4Z3ZQHvViVM9pVnsMzN6/w0i7gHSBFBw=,iv:actN7L8G7xbh9dYq7zQoOvnDYtcqAodV1V5Yu1q5elY=,tag:vas5E1ywf3sP1knVd7iE7A==,type:str]
+    ssh_host_ca_key: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:eD0aZskYgsN7NWWo98VzrJGfQsbXLPUv9tWz8/GPU9UJcDaDmjEOs96cdW08IvINZXTMJtUscMGmewWX5mg1zevYGBYF8xgfdzT1pao5tw/F079aLc8HNxRn1s+4lL/GINtRXXK13tzYTPeI6Z1g4AE8UqVDZ/65+oLzkzWljE93UM6G9K78+ulBZq27Www0+dqT00n03YSfDCO8LgEJjxo03aShLXth+nT2SGZDfH9sILkZaDOeqOgQpW43L9rU+5yBCcGgCkBuhb8jMu2yStLCRxDewTNcxDYvIsNr1T/7jammRgUn+lYNcKgHeZS81dgNQkXmzRwErYbAx22zCaHdmSlH7RvF0olVCWzgXY4uSjbMFmQqNVVlj7UpYXRIIWnmiiwiBJQlmCJbm/OjS43dTYwZZ0waRIs=,iv:0TTQe2DC6EFiNhFEA3DVv2yu487pr4iX7siooA3EU94=,tag:mlZIquPBWR/5OVU7ZW0Uqg==,type:str]
+    ssh_user_ca_key: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:CrjtkGfaUklNsOfIWhHwJXzBCJN2RvJKZQLueqAaOmY5niMdVRRnQahtMCtyJ7QxONs26VZkdcLmq4mfHWUA8lo4Q5ssFvqWvIcHvj4J0i0eB4RqQev2KGo/lg+GybZK2opBWS5z7msfPI94Fgu12qN46brBdbgVgclxqS23MR+A8d+VTcUYRcrPLhf4VTPH8eNGnhlM47tjzp7PjpMOumpkjbrNnNyPG3rVzvH0zbCc2HhJxtstEdoLT1u+1FxphR6kroRd/F+xQAY82A4UYVuHfaNkc8thHLA+wbGf5ReRZode5vCz4ErEWpJhnltU8YVgMDQSqE5gDuxWFv+P17hUdNXUmVI8QBiyu0sI8oNIBT6xDvK69rgzKaEy8MON/2E31CpQALokEiDB1Xn04W3rdnSVS6m84ck=,iv:lGrSv/0qCXha7rK/nEtZa0cH2wKtGxKigUsxqahk3SE=,tag:ZmxenXfXt9Pa4euZIgt1bw==,type:str]
+    admin_provisioner_encrypted_key: ENC[AES256_GCM,data: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,iv:kcJEhE1d4vYLHk+W2ay2rid+KCuarAIxUZSl/0wi5W4=,tag:7VARgV4a1nT+beIYWelqyw==,type:str]
+    ssh_host_ed25519_key: ENC[AES256_GCM,data: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,iv:jlWTcKt/fvrry/OTamtKHNZAZmlxAj6TgGoPDor4HeY=,tag:btP8xFMEDzd/Nzr4EqIDZg==,type:str]
+sops:
+    age:
+        - enc: |
+            -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBRZ1pQQW1rekYzUDFGcXBW
+            M2RHSXUvbCtvemtHYUljNmxXOCt4dEczYUU0CkdFWDRBYWRhQStYb1RtbEFmZVk4
+            bWxMTnhKVXlZWDRlcWZHWWhaSC9KMW8KLS0tIER6VWJGY28ramk2NDhZa0x5RU1s
+            YmU5S1FCVkJyNTNIVXhJSkdQVHYxMVkKEkbFmD4a7FWC8cKpZu2ZVot5ibheTQ1h
+            H6uqwAYT/UIXqnceyZyoT9JRcZyQy7xAUAJzQMe+TxUr+8iHAm7aBg==
+            -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+          recipient: age1qahhlzeanprtykym9jymk2t95uedr7cwx9sdshx46q2m6u66fucsqua8l3
+        - enc: |
+            -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBqWjBiVDJSZFRQYis3dSt5
+            OFFMbGhyaHgxSDBjdnVMSlZ5d3B0eEhVM0VVCmw4TXk2a0s3ZDRCeHhEVFpGRkpl
+            b1lSQUJPL0hNRk50UEhHejNkL2VRd1EKLS0tICtXaWVMN0FSejNsNGNTOGh1WG13
+            aFJINlNKOVNhc3VBOU00VXYyMTRFdVkKV251o5CegRdDxvhpOJjK5ITp/+DVBE9o
+            R3eAsTXG5SSN50rcZYjwoEgYUeiRB4dQ/NYw6lVDUFrOf/a7sAr32g==
+            -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+          recipient: age1ykcs39e62pz3xu6cedg8ea685kv5d5qsrhgkndygzm8rx30xd5ys5t3qxt
+        - enc: |
+            -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBYYjlQRGVmRnRGbjNNT3dC
+            cWJCWmtrM1BnbE80QnpTWXdHMytqSmFHOVhjCm9LYzd4R2s1TENIVkFYK3g4STRk
+            cGIxMS9RQ2Y1dmR6RjZYeVF5LzRoelkKLS0tIEdjaGk2WnNCRVA0S1dxRzJyWFc3
+            Yzh0MlFSZTR0Z0RhUnhHQzRSbFRXaUEK+5jadT4PMWPrljNcXVW3S1yJ1nI0iei8
+            htf09S2S5jraIFkl2x6Rv8IqOnKVPPgTZkvZqPMQoM4zcs+o1/lnug==
+            -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+          recipient: age1gvplss0ddmyf6vpjy363wu3n057vhm0j6n7tc94cxd8kadapypws5mtaj0
+    lastmodified: "2026-07-05T01:59:20Z"
+    mac: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:s4HAH/T9iqHooXXswMoeC1ttJwpyXQgnzy4Op2WPP55nowM//itnxpBzaqlMQUuuqMi4kd8wD/AakrlPRsbsBjgxnPYqmBKQA5eg+3a8QSf31HcLEbhtOsi38jOG2L2VMkdVfihvbe8NdFw4AD1tPviDhs7t9zjWEH1r/eCu+as=,iv:+FmOEuFM0V1ID3zkvNXF8m0ukQpq0Nmbdp0s4/WR/PY=,tag:/e4xkd2bdfC5fdHXJB4NAA==,type:str]
+    unencrypted_suffix: _unencrypted
+    version: 3.13.1

modules/hosts/janus/ssh_host_ca_key.pub

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 AAAAE2VjZHNhLXNoYTItbmlzdHAyNTYAAAAIbmlzdHAyNTYAAABBBNug18oLH0vZxnibXJzMJvTWFPZTnSlhCDDVi+rHhgnIum6ZXQ4SF+VHOOAM5BbzZmMKitNJ5lcrGP15Eur7DzQ=

modules/hosts/john-p14s/configuration.nix

@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
         gnome
         desktop
         mysops
+        step-client
         rebuild
         {
           my-vscode.enable = true;

modules/hosts/john-p14s/default.nix

@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@
       "${inputs.nixos-hardware}/lenovo/thinkpad/p14s/amd/gen4"
     ] ++ (with self.modules.nixos; [
       p14sConfiguration
-      janus-ca
       rebuild
       sudo
       john
@@ -20,6 +19,7 @@
       steam
       wireguard
       mtls
+      step-client
       # greetd
       # niri
     ]);

modules/hosts/john-pc/default.nix

@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ in
     ssh = {
       certificates.enable = true;
       knownHosts = [
-        "@cert-authority fded:fb16:653e:25da:be24:11ff:fea0:753f ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 AAAAE2VjZHNhLXNoYTItbmlzdHAyNTYAAAAIbmlzdHAyNTYAAABBBNug18oLH0vZxnibXJzMJvTWFPZTnSlhCDDVi+rHhgnIum6ZXQ4SF+VHOOAM5BbzZmMKitNJ5lcrGP15Eur7DzQ="
+        "@cert-authority fded:fb16:653e:25da:be24:11ff:* ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 AAAAE2VjZHNhLXNoYTItbmlzdHAyNTYAAAAIbmlzdHAyNTYAAABBBNug18oLH0vZxnibXJzMJvTWFPZTnSlhCDDVi+rHhgnIum6ZXQ4SF+VHOOAM5BbzZmMKitNJ5lcrGP15Eur7DzQ="
       ];
       matchSets = {
         certs = true;

modules/hosts/soteria/default.nix

@@ -8,19 +8,18 @@ in
   flake.nixosConfigurations."${hostname}" = inputs.nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
     modules = with inputs.self.modules; [
       nixos.lxc
-      nixos."${username}"
       nixos.mysops
-      nixos.step-ssh-host
+      nixos."${username}"
+      nixos.ssh-certs
       nixos.login-text
       nixos.docker
       nixos.mtls
-      nixos.janus-ca
+      nixos.step-client
       nixos.forgejo
       nixos.restic-server
       # nixos.restic-envoy
       ({ config, pkgs, ... }: {
         networking.hostName = hostname;
-        time.timeZone = "America/Chicago";
 
         # Removes password for sudo
         security.sudo-rs.extraRules = lib.mkAfter [
@@ -38,7 +37,6 @@ in
         users.users."${username}".extraGroups = [ "mtls" ];
         mtls = {
           enable = true;
-          certDir = config.janus-ca.certDir;
           subject = hostname;
           san = [
             "${hostname}.john-stream.com"
@@ -77,7 +75,7 @@ in
           "Restic REST Server" = "restic-rest-server.service";
         };
 
-        step-ssh-host.hostname = hostname;
+        ssh-certs.hostname = hostname;
 
         # This provides the secrets at install time
         sops.defaultSopsFile = ./secrets.yaml;
@@ -98,6 +96,7 @@ in
     imports = [
       inputs.self.modules.homeManager.rebuild
       inputs.self.modules.homeManager.mysops
+      inputs.self.modules.homeManager.step-client
       ({ config, pkgs, lib, ... }: {
         homeManagerFlakeDir = "${config.xdg.configHome}/home-manager";
         docker.enable = true;

modules/hosts/soteria/secrets.yaml

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-janus:
-    admin_jwk: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:2XcN5X77wTQ+OUXa4C9xAErGvrwJKseHjCcgoj6jt+c=,iv:9x+M1wM0dYND1JYkJjM4N8pSOok2OF+P9vmm9NCumTI=,tag:dTCfh+KB1iRJBVoNsGqvuw==,type:str]
 forgejo:
     #ENC[AES256_GCM,data:/wtm0uXbiWFoGNWtlTzVuNxBR7CPm2FMB98t3AxSj5V5rltLvzF9BjgWoJCiX3ltzmU=,iv:xaZXbUIGJHxPrLRQzEQI7hgRgc0y061jIhoE3zlcMaA=,tag:fQGheCIdBKm6wE+vtj7g6A==,type:comment]
     secret_key: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:/jcyeDcsryLqu9Q3VnNaENb71/Tl5JUr0zDzxt8L5UCtnJ/YHA6MKItrQ9ZHFv1XROtnSfZl9D5kKomeM8EVqA==,iv:HxMKAMVQ08gkq6SWENj0/d8i9PhcgPCp5eqbztj9bSg=,tag:nO2dFWT/vfgGc/9JIDZrGw==,type:str]

modules/nixos/login-text.nix

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     let
       defaultServiceStatus = {
         SSH = "sshd.socket";
-        "SSH Cert Renewal" = "step-ssh-host-renew.timer";
+        "SSH Cert Renewal" = "ssh-certs-renew.timer";
       };
     in {
     options.loginText.extraServiceStatus = lib.mkOption {

modules/services/ssh.nix

@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 { inputs, ... }:
 let
   userName = "john";
-  sshHostCAPubKey = "ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 AAAAE2VjZHNhLXNoYTItbmlzdHAyNTYAAAAIbmlzdHAyNTYAAABBBNug18oLH0vZxnibXJzMJvTWFPZTnSlhCDDVi+rHhgnIum6ZXQ4SF+VHOOAM5BbzZmMKitNJ5lcrGP15Eur7DzQ=";
+  sshHostCAPubKeyPath = ../hosts/janus/ssh_host_ca_key.pub;
 in
 {
   flake.modules.nixos.ssh = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
   let
     cfg = config.ssh;
     configDir = "/etc/ssh";
+    sshHostCAPubKey = lib.removeSuffix "\n" (builtins.readFile sshHostCAPubKeyPath);
   in
   {
     options.ssh = {
@@ -16,17 +17,43 @@ in
         type = lib.types.str;
         default = "ssh_host_ed25519_key";
       };
+      hostKeyType = lib.mkOption {
+        description = "OpenSSH host key type for ssh.hostKey.";
+        type = lib.types.enum [ "ed25519" "rsa" "ecdsa" ];
+        default = "ed25519";
+      };
+      fallbackHostKeys = lib.mkOption {
+        description = "Additional non-certificate host keys that keep sshd reachable during certificate bootstrap.";
+        type = with lib.types; listOf (submodule {
+          options = {
+            path = lib.mkOption {
+              description = "Path to the host private key file.";
+              type = str;
+            };
+            type = lib.mkOption {
+              description = "OpenSSH host key type.";
+              type = enum [ "ed25519" "rsa" "ecdsa" ];
+            };
+          };
+        });
+        default = [
+          {
+            path = "${configDir}/ssh_host_rsa_key";
+            type = "rsa";
+          }
+        ];
+      };
       certificates = {
         enable = lib.mkEnableOption "Enable SSH host certificates";
         userCA = lib.mkOption {
           description = "Content for the SSH user CA file (public key)";
           type = lib.types.path;
-          default = ../hosts/janus/ssh_user_ca.pub;
+          default = sshHostCAPubKeyPath;
         };
         userCAFile = lib.mkOption {
           description = "String path to the SSh user CA";
           type = lib.types.str;
-          default = "ssh_user_ca.pub";
+          default = "ssh_user_ca_key.pub";
         };
       };
     };
@@ -34,12 +61,17 @@ in
     config = {
       services.openssh = {
         enable = true;
+        hostKeys = cfg.fallbackHostKeys ++ [
+          {
+            path = "${configDir}/${cfg.hostKey}";
+            type = cfg.hostKeyType;
+          }
+        ];
         # require public key authentication for better security
         settings = lib.mkMerge [
           {
             PasswordAuthentication = false;
             KbdInteractiveAuthentication = false;
-            HostKey = "${configDir}/${cfg.hostKey}";
           }
           (lib.mkIf cfg.certificates.enable {
             TrustedUserCAKeys = "${configDir}/${cfg.certificates.userCAFile}";
@@ -72,6 +104,7 @@ in
     identityFile = cfg.identityFile;
     publicKeyFile = "${identityFile}.pub";
     certificateFile = "${identityFile}-cert.pub";
+    sshHostCAPubKey = lib.removeSuffix "\n" (builtins.readFile sshHostCAPubKeyPath);
   in
   {
     options.ssh = with lib; {
@@ -106,10 +139,7 @@ in
       };
     };
 
-    # All this stuff has to be wrapped in a config attribute because of the presence of the options here?
+    config = {
-    config = let
-      provisionerPasswordPath = config.sops.secrets."janus/admin_jwk".path;
-    in {
       home.file.".ssh/known_hosts" = {
         text = lib.concatStringsSep "\n" (
           cfg.knownHosts ++ lib.optionals cfg.certificates.enable [
@@ -165,7 +195,7 @@ in
           })
           (lib.mkIf cfg.matchSets.certs {
             "janus" = {
-              HostName = "janus.john-stream.com";
+              HostName = "fded:fb16:653e:25da:be24:11ff:fe6b:4d57";
               User = "root";
             };
             "soteria" = {

modules/services/step-ca/ca.json

@@ -1,129 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "root": "/etc/step-ca/certs/root_ca.crt",
-  "federatedRoots": null,
-  "crt": "/etc/step-ca/certs/intermediate_ca.crt",
-  "key": "/etc/step-ca/secrets/intermediate_ca_key",
-  "address": ":443",
-  "insecureAddress": "",
-  "dnsNames": [
-    "janus.john-stream.com",
-    "192.168.1.113"
-  ],
-  "ssh": {
-    "hostKey": "/etc/step-ca/secrets/ssh_host_ca_key",
-    "userKey": "/etc/step-ca/secrets/ssh_user_ca_key"
-  },
-  "logger": {
-    "format": "text"
-  },
-  "db": {
-    "type": "badgerv2",
-    "dataSource": "/var/lib/step-ca/db",
-    "badgerFileLoadingMode": ""
-  },
-  "authority": {
-    "provisioners": [
-      {
-        "type": "ACME",
-        "name": "acme"
-      },
-      {
-        "type": "SSHPOP",
-        "name": "sshpop",
-        "claims": {
-          "enableSSHCA": true
-        }
-      },
-      {
-        "type": "JWK",
-        "name": "admin",
-        "key": {
-          "use": "sig",
-          "kty": "EC",
-          "kid": "xoxgOJFbveSLIL2gm1Yu5ZiRb9v8Jxe44F56i3v-Nf8",
-          "crv": "P-256",
-          "alg": "ES256",
-          "x": "zFO8hPx_eH0Iyz7UJI-w8ODMusEKCZ28M76sGWmWYxA",
-          "y": "XIWLLyKDzqxV9UH-2KeAkKPDrgLoPrxxW9-PzkXggME"
-        },
-        "encryptedKey": "eyJhbGciOiJQQkVTMi1IUzI1NitBMTI4S1ciLCJjdHkiOiJqd2sranNvbiIsImVuYyI6IkEyNTZHQ00iLCJwMmMiOjYwMDAwMCwicDJzIjoiUVJnTnJVTF9KcmxJYkJMVTlGNVRPZyJ9.DMu7xBNCq5pr-_--YTxNr5Hrcqy6ZmSVHsWurfVXL7Hk0Q3vyYRxiw.h-CnFiYc-DhxThI3.plx3_Qa_0kU-2TwnqFNfAfGnCpfQ2e0iiCMLruNHbLMnHeXQ1BysHBqps45_02zZXIRdHoDgYGtXRSfcdUYYoS0pLoPzC6m301ZFNSAFdRVlSZ3Q6VmWdixPXXnEB4EgSKTT_wxR33L8t9OpFzD85KfY-b_Un1l99ufjCnfg-EYkcICTn_G4-8bcW3eFIvJ6setzu-l0jHMhLQdIweqncn9on9xBXBD-ANhZfP95P2BJt-APqCi8eqiAvn_vClovdg0PxzRwOVDvWREz66FDw-HTU7xDtGO9hACopT5tfZOXDoykgZw1mJsq9NEq9ZzvKG2hvyk1UXtExxrNtFo.5q1OfGU4Amo4Si-vpeI42g",
-        "claims": {
-          "enableSSHCA": true,
-          "disableRenewal": false,
-          "allowRenewalAfterExpiry": false,
-          "disableSmallstepExtensions": false
-        },
-        "options": {
-          "x509": {},
-          "ssh": {}
-        }
-      }
-    ],
-    "template": {},
-    "backdate": "1m0s"
-  },
-  "tls": {
-    "cipherSuites": [
-      "TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_CHACHA20_POLY1305_SHA256",
-      "TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256"
-    ],
-    "minVersion": 1.2,
-    "maxVersion": 1.3,
-    "renegotiation": false
-  },
-  "templates": {
-    "ssh": {
-      "user": [
-        {
-          "name": "config.tpl",
-          "type": "snippet",
-          "template": "templates/ssh/config.tpl",
-          "path": "~/.ssh/config",
-          "comment": "#"
-        },
-        {
-          "name": "step_includes.tpl",
-          "type": "prepend-line",
-          "template": "templates/ssh/step_includes.tpl",
-          "path": "${STEPPATH}/ssh/includes",
-          "comment": "#"
-        },
-        {
-          "name": "step_config.tpl",
-          "type": "file",
-          "template": "templates/ssh/step_config.tpl",
-          "path": "ssh/config",
-          "comment": "#"
-        },
-        {
-          "name": "known_hosts.tpl",
-          "type": "file",
-          "template": "templates/ssh/known_hosts.tpl",
-          "path": "ssh/known_hosts",
-          "comment": "#"
-        }
-      ],
-      "host": [
-        {
-          "name": "sshd_config.tpl",
-          "type": "snippet",
-          "template": "templates/ssh/sshd_config.tpl",
-          "path": "/etc/ssh/sshd_config",
-          "comment": "#",
-          "requires": [
-            "Certificate",
-            "Key"
-          ]
-        },
-        {
-          "name": "ca.tpl",
-          "type": "snippet",
-          "template": "templates/ssh/ca.tpl",
-          "path": "/etc/ssh/ca.pub",
-          "comment": "#"
-        }
-      ]
-    }
-  },
-  "commonName": "Step Online CA"
-}

modules/services/step-ca/ssh-host.nix

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 { inputs, ... }: {
-  flake.modules.nixos.step-ssh-host = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
+  flake.modules.nixos.ssh-certs = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
   let
-    cfg = config.step-ssh-host;
+    cfg = config.ssh-certs;
     provisionerPasswordPath = config.sops.secrets."janus/admin_jwk".path;
     sshKeyPath = "/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key";
     sshCertPath = "${sshKeyPath}-cert.pub";
@@ -11,10 +11,28 @@
       cfg.hostname
       "${cfg.hostname}.john-stream.com"
     ] ++ cfg.extraPrincipals);
+    sshHostCertRenew = pkgs.writeShellScriptBin "ssh-host-cert-renew" ''
+      set -euo pipefail
+
+      if [ ! -s "${sshKeyPath}.pub" ]; then
+        ${lib.getExe' pkgs.openssh "ssh-keygen"} -y -f "${sshKeyPath}" > "${sshKeyPath}.pub"
+        chmod 0644 "${sshKeyPath}.pub"
+      fi
+
+      ${lib.getExe pkgs.step-cli} ssh certificate \
+        --host --sign \
+        --provisioner "${cfg.provisioner}" \
+        --provisioner-password-file "${provisionerPasswordPath}" \
+        ${principalArgs} \
+        "${cfg.hostname}" "${sshKeyPath}.pub"
+    '';
+    sshHostCertCheck = pkgs.writeShellScriptBin "ssh-host-cert-check" ''
+      ${lib.getExe' pkgs.openssh "ssh-keygen"} -Lf ${sshCertPath}
+    '';
   in
   {
     # NixOS Options
-    options.step-ssh-host = {
+    options.ssh-certs = {
       hostname = lib.mkOption {
         description = "Networking host name to register with the CA";
         type = lib.types.str;
@@ -37,28 +55,23 @@
     config = {
       ssh.certificates.enable = true;
       sops.secrets."janus/admin_jwk" = {
+        # Shared provisioner credential is intentionally centralized.
+        sopsFile = ../../../keys/secrets.yaml;
         owner = "root";
         group = "root";
         mode = "0400";
       };
       networking.nameservers = [ "192.168.1.150" ];
       networking.dhcpcd.extraConfig = "nohook resolv.conf";
-      environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
+      environment.systemPackages = [
-        # step-cli
+        sshHostCertRenew
-        (writeShellScriptBin "ssh-host-cert-renew" ''
+        sshHostCertCheck
-          ${lib.getExe pkgs.step-cli} ssh certificate \
-          --host --sign \
-          --provisioner "${cfg.provisioner}" \
-          --provisioner-password-file "${provisionerPasswordPath}" \
-          ${principalArgs} \
-          "${cfg.hostname}" "${sshKeyPath}.pub"
-        '')
-        (writeShellScriptBin "ssh-host-cert-check" "${lib.getExe' pkgs.openssh "ssh-keygen"} -Lf ${sshCertPath}")
       ];
 
-      systemd.services.step-ssh-host-renew = {
+      systemd.services.ssh-certs-renew = {
         description = "Renew Step SSH host certificate if needed";
-        wantedBy = [ ];
+        wantedBy = [ "multi-user.target" ];
+        before = [ "sshd.service" ];
         after = [ "network-online.target" ];
         wants = [ "network-online.target" ];
         path = with pkgs; [ coreutils systemd step-cli openssh ];
@@ -69,8 +82,14 @@
         };
         script = ''
           set -euo pipefail
-          if ${lib.getExe pkgs.step-cli} ssh needs-renewal "${sshCertPath}" --expires-in "4h"; then
+
-            echo "Renewing SSH host certificate"
+          renew=0
+          if [ ! -s "${sshCertPath}" ]; then
+            echo "SSH host cert missing: ${sshCertPath}"
+            renew=1
+          elif ${lib.getExe pkgs.step-cli} ssh needs-renewal "${sshCertPath}" --expires-in "4h"; then
+            echo "SSH host cert needs renewal"
+            renew=1
           else
             rc=$?
             if [ "$rc" -eq 1 ]; then
@@ -79,17 +98,22 @@
             fi
 
             if [ "$rc" -eq 2 ]; then
-              echo "SSH host cert missing: ${sshCertPath}" >&2
+              echo "SSH host cert missing or unreadable: ${sshCertPath}"
-              exit 1
+              renew=1
-            fi
+            else
-
               echo "step ssh needs-renewal failed with rc=$rc" >&2
               exit "$rc"
             fi
+          fi
+
+          if [ "$renew" -eq 1 ]; then
+            ${lib.getExe sshHostCertRenew}
+            ${lib.getExe sshHostCertCheck}
+          fi
         '';
       };
 
-      systemd.timers.step-ssh-host-renew = {
+      systemd.timers.ssh-certs-renew = {
         description = "Periodic Step SSH host certificate renewal";
         wantedBy = [ "timers.target" ];
 
@@ -98,9 +122,13 @@
           OnUnitActiveSec = "4h";
           RandomizedDelaySec = "15m";
           Persistent = true;
-          Unit = "step-ssh-host-renew.service";
+          Unit = "ssh-certs-renew.service";
         };
       };
+
+      # Ensure sshd waits for a cert reconciliation attempt at boot.
+      systemd.services.sshd.wants = [ "ssh-certs-renew.service" ];
+      systemd.services.sshd.after = [ "ssh-certs-renew.service" ];
     };
   };
 }

modules/services/step-ca/step-ca.nix

@@ -1,25 +1,190 @@
 { inputs, ... }:
-let
-  ipAddress = "0.0.0.0";
-in
 {
-  flake.modules.nixos.step-ca = { pkgs, ... }: {
+  flake.modules.nixos.step-ca = { config, pkgs, lib, ... }:
+  let
+    cfg = config.step-ca;
+    caAddress = "0.0.0.0";
+    caPort = 443;
+
+    caPasswordPath = (lib.getAttr cfg.secrets.caPassword config.sops.secrets).path;
+    intermediateKeyPath = (lib.getAttr cfg.secrets.intermediateKey config.sops.secrets).path;
+    sshHostCaKeyPath = (lib.getAttr cfg.secrets.sshHostCaKey config.sops.secrets).path;
+    sshUserCaKeyPath = (lib.getAttr cfg.secrets.sshUserCaKey config.sops.secrets).path;
+    adminProvisionerEncryptedKeyValue =
+      (lib.getAttr cfg.secrets.adminProvisionerEncryptedKey config.sops.placeholder);
+
+    renderedStepCaConfig = builtins.toJSON {
+      root = cfg.rootCertPath;
+      crt = cfg.intermediateCertPath;
+      key = intermediateKeyPath;
+      address = "${caAddress}:${toString caPort}";
+      dnsNames = cfg.dnsNames;
+
+      ssh = {
+        hostKey = sshHostCaKeyPath;
+        userKey = sshUserCaKeyPath;
+      };
+
+      db = {
+        type = "badgerv2";
+        dataSource = "/var/lib/step-ca/db";
+      };
+
+      authority = {
+        backdate = "1m0s";
+        provisioners = [
+          {
+            type = "ACME";
+            name = "acme";
+          }
+          {
+            type = "SSHPOP";
+            name = "sshpop";
+            claims.enableSSHCA = true;
+          }
+          {
+            type = "JWK";
+            name = "admin";
+            key = {
+              use = "sig";
+              kty = "EC";
+              kid = "xoxgOJFbveSLIL2gm1Yu5ZiRb9v8Jxe44F56i3v-Nf8";
+              crv = "P-256";
+              alg = "ES256";
+              x = "zFO8hPx_eH0Iyz7UJI-w8ODMusEKCZ28M76sGWmWYxA";
+              y = "XIWLLyKDzqxV9UH-2KeAkKPDrgLoPrxxW9-PzkXggME";
+            };
+            encryptedKey = adminProvisionerEncryptedKeyValue;
+            claims = {
+              enableSSHCA = true;
+              disableRenewal = false;
+              allowRenewalAfterExpiry = false;
+              disableSmallstepExtensions = false;
+            };
+            options = {
+              x509 = { };
+              ssh = { };
+            };
+          }
+        ];
+      };
+
+      tls = {
+        cipherSuites = [
+          "TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_CHACHA20_POLY1305_SHA256"
+          "TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256"
+        ];
+        minVersion = 1.2;
+        maxVersion = 1.3;
+        renegotiation = false;
+      };
+    };
+  in
+  {
+    options.step-ca = {
+      rootCertPath = lib.mkOption {
+        description = "Path to the Step CA root certificate served by this host.";
+        type = lib.types.path;
+      };
+      intermediateCertPath = lib.mkOption {
+        description = "Path to the Step CA intermediate certificate served by this host. This is public material and does not need to be stored in SOPS.";
+        type = lib.types.path;
+      };
+      dnsNames = lib.mkOption {
+        description = "DNS names and IP SANs advertised by this Step CA instance.";
+        type = with lib.types; listOf str;
+      };
+      secrets = {
+        sopsFile = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "Host-local SOPS file that stores Step CA secret material.";
+          type = lib.types.path;
+        };
+        caPassword = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "SOPS key for the Step CA intermediate password.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+        };
+        intermediateKey = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "SOPS key for the Step CA intermediate private key.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+        };
+        sshHostCaKey = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "SOPS key for the Step SSH host CA private key.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+        };
+        sshUserCaKey = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "SOPS key for the Step SSH user CA private key.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+        };
+        adminProvisionerEncryptedKey = lib.mkOption {
+          description = "SOPS key for the Step CA admin provisioner encrypted key.";
+          type = lib.types.str;
+        };
+      };
+    };
+
+    config = {
+      # Placeholders are expected initially until real material is inserted into sops.
+      sops.secrets."${cfg.secrets.caPassword}" = {
+        sopsFile = cfg.secrets.sopsFile;
+        owner = "step-ca";
+        group = "step-ca";
+        mode = "0400";
+        restartUnits = [ "step-ca.service" ];
+      };
+      sops.secrets."${cfg.secrets.intermediateKey}" = {
+        sopsFile = cfg.secrets.sopsFile;
+        owner = "step-ca";
+        group = "step-ca";
+        mode = "0400";
+        restartUnits = [ "step-ca.service" ];
+      };
+      sops.secrets."${cfg.secrets.sshHostCaKey}" = {
+        sopsFile = cfg.secrets.sopsFile;
+        owner = "step-ca";
+        group = "step-ca";
+        mode = "0400";
+        restartUnits = [ "step-ca.service" ];
+      };
+      sops.secrets."${cfg.secrets.sshUserCaKey}" = {
+        sopsFile = cfg.secrets.sopsFile;
+        owner = "step-ca";
+        group = "step-ca";
+        mode = "0400";
+        restartUnits = [ "step-ca.service" ];
+      };
+      sops.secrets."${cfg.secrets.adminProvisionerEncryptedKey}" = {
+        sopsFile = cfg.secrets.sopsFile;
+        owner = "step-ca";
+        group = "step-ca";
+        mode = "0400";
+        restartUnits = [ "step-ca.service" ];
+      };
+
+      sops.templates."step-ca-config" = {
+        owner = "step-ca";
+        group = "step-ca";
+        mode = "0400";
+        content = renderedStepCaConfig;
+      };
+
       # https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/blob/nixos-23.05/nixos/modules/services/security/step-ca.nix
       services.step-ca = {
         enable = true;
         openFirewall = true;
-      address = ipAddress;
+        address = caAddress;
-      port = 8443;
+        port = caPort;
+        intermediatePasswordFile = caPasswordPath;
+      };
+
+      environment.etc."smallstep/ca.json".source =
+        lib.mkForce config.sops.templates."step-ca-config".path;
+      systemd.services.step-ca.restartTriggers =
+        lib.mkAfter [ config.sops.templates."step-ca-config".path ];
 
-      # https://smallstep.com/docs/step-ca/configuration/#configuration-options
-      settings = {
-        root = "";
-        crt = "";
-      };
-    };
       environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
         step-ca
         step-cli
       ];
     };
+  };
 }

modules/users/john.nix

@@ -31,7 +31,10 @@ in
 
     # This module will be imported by the user factory
     homeManager."${username}" = { pkgs, ... }:
-      with inputs.self.meta.users."${username}"; {
+      with inputs.self.meta.users."${username}";
+      let
+        selfPkgs = inputs.self.packages.${pkgs.stdenv.hostPlatform.system};
+      in {
         home.stateVersion = "25.11";
         imports = [
           inputs.self.modules.homeManager.shell-tools
@@ -39,8 +42,18 @@ in
           inputs.self.modules.homeManager.git
         ];
         xdg.enable = true;
+        home.packages = [
+          selfPkgs.neovim-min
+        ];
+        home.sessionVariables = {
+          EDITOR = "nvim";
+          VISUAL = "nvim";
+          GIT_EDITOR = "nvim";
+          SOPS_EDITOR = "nvim";
+        };
         programs.git.settings.user.name = name;
         programs.git.settings.user.email = email;
+        programs.git.settings.core.editor = "nvim";
       };
   };
 }