{

  description = "Deployment for skynet";

  inputs = {
    # gonna start off with a fairly modern base
    nixpkgs.url = "nixpkgs/nixos-23.05";

    # utility stuff
    flake-utils.url = "github:numtide/flake-utils";
    agenix.url = "github:ryantm/agenix";
    arion.url = "github:hercules-ci/arion";

    # email
    # simple-nixos-mailserver.url = "gitlab:simple-nixos-mailserver/nixos-mailserver/nixos-23.05";
    simple-nixos-mailserver.url = "gitlab:simple-nixos-mailserver/nixos-mailserver";

    # sso.skynet.ie
    skynet_ldap_backend.url = "git+https://gitlab.skynet.ie/compsoc/skynet/ldap/backend.git";
    skynet_ldap_frontend.url = "git+https://gitlab.skynet.ie/compsoc/skynet/ldap/frontend.git";
  };

  outputs = { self, nixpkgs,
    # these are the nixos modules from otehr projects
    agenix,
    arion,
    simple-nixos-mailserver,
    skynet_ldap_backend,
    skynet_ldap_frontend,
    ...
  }:
  let
    system = "x86_64-linux";
  in {
    # https://github.com/zhaofengli/colmena
    # colmena apply --on agentjones
    # colmena apply --on @dns
    # nix flake lock --update-input skynet_ldap_backend
    colmena = {
      meta = {
        nixpkgs = import nixpkgs {
          system = system;
          overlays = [];
        };
      };

      # installed for each machine
      defaults = {
        imports = [
          ./machines/_base.nix
          # for the secrets
          agenix.nixosModule
        ];
      };

      # firewall machiene
      agentjones = import ./machines/agentjones.nix;

      # ns1
      vendetta = import ./machines/vendetta.nix;

      # ns2
      vigil = import ./machines/vigil.nix;

      # icecast - ULFM
      galatea = import ./machines/galatea.nix;

      # Game host
      optimus.imports = [./machines/optimus.nix arion.nixosModules.arion];

      # LDAP host
      kitt.imports = [
        ./machines/kitt.nix
        skynet_ldap_backend.nixosModule.${system}
      ];

      # Gitlab
      glados = import ./machines/glados.nix;

      # Gitlab runners
      wheatly = import ./machines/wheatly.nix;

      # email
      gir.imports = [ ./machines/gir.nix simple-nixos-mailserver.nixosModule];

      # backup 1
      neuromancer = import ./machines/neuromancer.nix;

    };
  };

}