Fix issue #34: Respect offline setting to prevent VCS operations

- main.py: Check offline configuration before calling fetch()
- processing.py: Pass offline setting from config instead of hardcoded False
- vcs/common.py: Skip all updates when offline mode is enabled
- CHANGES.md: Document the fix

Author: jensens

.claude/settings.local.json

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "permissions": {
+    "allow": [
+      "Bash(source .venv/bin/activate)",
+      "Bash(pytest:*)",
+      "Bash(gh pr checks:*)",
+      "Bash(gh issue:*)",
+      "Bash(git checkout:*)",
+      "Bash(git push:*)",
+      "Bash(uvx:*)",
+      "Bash(gh run view:*)",
+      "Bash(gh pr ready:*)"
+    ],
+    "deny": [],
+    "ask": []
+  }
+}

CHANGES.md

@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 ## 4.1.2 (unreleased)
 
+- Fix #34: The `offline` configuration setting and `--offline` CLI flag are now properly respected to prevent VCS fetch/update operations. Previously, setting `offline = true` in mx.ini or using the `--offline` CLI flag was ignored, and VCS operations still occurred.
+  [jensens]
+
 - Fix #46: Git tags in branch option are now correctly detected and handled during updates. Previously, updating from one tag to another failed because tags were incorrectly treated as branches.
   [jensens]
 

CLAUDE.md

@@ -519,6 +519,70 @@ Quick summary:
 
 **CRITICAL: Always follow these steps before pushing code:**
 
+### Bug Fix Workflow (Test-Driven Development - MANDATORY)
+
+**IMPORTANT**: All bug fixes MUST follow the TDD (Test-Driven Development) approach:
+
+1. **Analysis**
+   - Investigate and understand the root cause
+   - Identify the exact location and nature of the bug
+   - Document your findings
+
+2. **Comment on Issue with Analysis Only**
+   ```bash
+   gh issue comment <ISSUE_NUMBER> --body "Root cause analysis..."
+   ```
+   - Post detailed root cause analysis to the GitHub issue
+   - Do NOT include the solution or plan in the comment
+   - Include code references, line numbers, and explanation
+
+3. **Create Failing Test**
+   - Create branch: `git checkout -b fix/<issue-number>-description`
+   - Write a test that reproduces the bug
+   - Verify the test fails with the current code
+   - Commit: `git commit -m "Add failing test for issue #XX"`
+
+4. **Push and Create Draft PR**
+   ```bash
+   git push -u origin fix/<issue-number>-description
+   gh pr create --draft --title "..." --body "..."
+   ```
+   - PR body should explain the bug, show the failing test, and describe next steps
+
+5. **Implement the Fix**
+   - Write the minimal code needed to make the test pass
+   - Verify the test now passes
+   - Run all related tests to ensure no regressions
+
+6. **Commit and Push Fix**
+   ```bash
+   git add <files>
+   git commit -m "Fix issue #XX: description"
+   git push
+   ```
+   - Include issue reference in commit message
+   - Update CHANGES.md in the same commit or separately
+
+7. **Verify CI is Green**
+   ```bash
+   gh pr checks <PR_NUMBER>
+   ```
+   - Wait for all CI checks to pass
+   - Address any failures
+
+8. **Mark PR Ready for Review**
+   ```bash
+   gh pr ready <PR_NUMBER>
+   ```
+   - Only mark ready when all checks are green
+   - Update PR description if needed
+
+**Why TDD for Bug Fixes?**
+- Ensures the bug is actually fixed
+- Prevents regressions in the future
+- Documents the expected behavior
+- Provides confidence in the solution
+
 ### Pre-Push Checklist
 
 1. **Always run linting before push**

src/mxdev/main.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from .config import Configuration
+from .config import to_bool
 from .hooks import load_hooks
 from .hooks import read_hooks
 from .hooks import write_hooks
@@ -89,7 +90,9 @@ def main() -> None:
     read(state)
     if not args.fetch_only:
         read_hooks(state, hooks)
-    if not args.no_fetch:
+    # Skip fetch if --no-fetch flag is set OR if offline mode is enabled
+    offline = to_bool(state.configuration.settings.get("offline", False))
+    if not args.no_fetch and not offline:
         fetch(state)
     if args.fetch_only:
         return

src/mxdev/processing.py

@@ -182,6 +182,8 @@ def read(state: State) -> None:
 
 def fetch(state: State) -> None:
     """Fetch all configured sources from a VCS."""
+    from .config import to_bool
+
     packages = state.configuration.packages
     logger.info("#" * 79)
     if not packages:
@@ -192,13 +194,15 @@ def fetch(state: State) -> None:
     workingcopies = WorkingCopies(
         packages, threads=int(state.configuration.settings["threads"])
     )
+    # Pass offline setting from configuration instead of hardcoding False
+    offline = to_bool(state.configuration.settings.get("offline", False))
     workingcopies.checkout(
         sorted(packages),
         verbose=False,
         update=True,
         submodules="always",
         always_accept_server_certificate=True,
-        offline=False,
+        offline=offline,
     )
 
 

src/mxdev/vcs/common.py

@@ -288,6 +288,11 @@ def status(
 
     def update(self, packages: typing.Iterable[str], **kwargs) -> None:
         the_queue: queue.Queue = queue.Queue()
+        # Check for offline mode early - skip all updates if offline
+        offline = kwargs.get("offline", False)
+        if offline:
+            logger.info("Skipped updates (offline mode)")
+            return
         for name in packages:
             kw = kwargs.copy()
             if name not in self.sources: