refactored the cli and forensics codebases as classes and into seperate

folders for readability and consistent API access

src/ctf/analysis.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # src/ctf/analysis.py
 # {{{ imports
 import re
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path
 # }}}
@@ -23,88 +24,132 @@ class AnalysisResult:
     routes: list[RouteResult]
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ run_metadata_route
-def run_metadata_route(file_path: Path) -> RouteResult:
-    """Extracts file metadata and scans for potential flags or hints."""
-    from ctf.forensics import get_metadata
-    from ctf.decoding import check_for_flag
-    
-    file_path = Path(file_path).resolve()
-    if not file_path.exists():
-        return RouteResult(
-            route_name="File Metadata Extraction",
-            executed=True,
-            success=False,
-            message=f"File not found: {file_path}"
-        )
+# {{{ BaseRoute
+class BaseRoute(ABC):
+    """Abstract base class representing an analysis/solver route."""
+    def __init__(self, route_name: str):
+        self.route_name = route_name
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def is_applicable(self, file_path: Path) -> bool:
+        """Determines if this route is applicable to the given file."""
+        pass
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def execute(self, file_path: Path) -> RouteResult:
+        """Executes the analysis route on the target file."""
+        pass
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ MetadataRoute
+class MetadataRoute(BaseRoute):
+    """Route that extracts metadata and parses comments/EXIF for flags."""
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("File Metadata Extraction")
+
+    def is_applicable(self, file_path: Path) -> bool:
+        # Metadata parsing is applicable to any file
+        return True
+
+    def execute(self, file_path: Path) -> RouteResult:
+        from ctf.forensics import get_metadata
+        from ctf.decoding import check_for_flag
         
-    try:
-        meta = get_metadata(file_path)
-        extracted_flags = []
-        
-        # Scan comment, EXIF attributes, and decoded hints
-        if meta.comment:
-            extracted_flags.extend(check_for_flag(meta.comment))
+        file_path = Path(file_path).resolve()
+        if not file_path.exists():
+            return RouteResult(
+                route_name=self.route_name,
+                executed=True,
+                success=False,
+                message=f"File not found: {file_path}"
+            )
             
-        for val in meta.exif_data.values():
-            if isinstance(val, str):
-                extracted_flags.extend(check_for_flag(val))
-                
-        for dec_dict in meta.decoded_hints.values():
-            for dec_val in dec_dict.values():
-                extracted_flags.extend(check_for_flag(dec_val))
-                
-        extracted_flags = list(set(extracted_flags))
-        success = True
-        
-        if extracted_flags:
-            msg = f"Metadata inspected. Found {len(extracted_flags)} potential flag(s)."
-        else:
-            msg = "Metadata inspected. No obvious flags or decoded hints found."
+        try:
+            meta = get_metadata(file_path)
+            extracted_flags = []
             
-        details = {
-            "Filename": meta.filename,
-            "Size": f"{meta.size} bytes",
-            "Detected Type": meta.detected_type,
-            "Magic": meta.magic,
-            "Has EXIF": "Yes" if meta.exif_data else "No",
-            "Has Comment": "Yes" if meta.comment else "No",
-            "Has Hints": "Yes" if meta.decoded_hints else "No",
-        }
+            # Scan comment, EXIF attributes, and decoded hints
+            if meta.comment:
+                extracted_flags.extend(check_for_flag(meta.comment))
+                
+            for val in meta.exif_data.values():
+                if isinstance(val, str):
+                    extracted_flags.extend(check_for_flag(val))
+                    
+            for dec_dict in meta.decoded_hints.values():
+                for dec_val in dec_dict.values():
+                    extracted_flags.extend(check_for_flag(dec_val))
+                    
+            extracted_flags = list(set(extracted_flags))
+            success = True
+            
+            if extracted_flags:
+                msg = f"Metadata inspected. Found {len(extracted_flags)} potential flag(s)."
+            else:
+                msg = "Metadata inspected. No obvious flags or decoded hints found."
+                
+            details = {
+                "Filename": meta.filename,
+                "Size": f"{meta.size} bytes",
+                "Detected Type": meta.detected_type,
+                "Magic": meta.magic,
+                "Has EXIF": "Yes" if meta.exif_data else "No",
+                "Has Comment": "Yes" if meta.comment else "No",
+                "Has Hints": "Yes" if meta.decoded_hints else "No",
+            }
+            
+            return RouteResult(
+                route_name=self.route_name,
+                executed=True,
+                success=success,
+                message=msg,
+                details=details,
+                extracted_flags=extracted_flags
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            return RouteResult(
+                route_name=self.route_name,
+                executed=True,
+                success=False,
+                message=f"Error extracting metadata: {str(e)}"
+            )
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ RoutingEngine
+class RoutingEngine:
+    """Manages CTF challenge solvers and dynamic route execution."""
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.routes: list[BaseRoute] = []
+
+    def register_route(self, route: BaseRoute):
+        self.routes.append(route)
+
+    def run_all(self, file_path: Path | None) -> AnalysisResult:
+        executed_results = []
         
-        return RouteResult(
-            route_name="File Metadata Extraction",
-            executed=True,
-            success=success,
-            message=msg,
-            details=details,
-            extracted_flags=extracted_flags
-        )
-    except Exception as e:
-        return RouteResult(
-            route_name="File Metadata Extraction",
-            executed=True,
-            success=False,
-            message=f"Error extracting metadata: {str(e)}"
-        )
+        if not file_path:
+            # Add a non-executed default result for the metadata route
+            executed_results.append(RouteResult(
+                route_name="File Metadata Extraction",
+                executed=False,
+                success=False,
+                message="No file attached to analyze."
+            ))
+            return AnalysisResult(success=False, routes=executed_results)
+            
+        resolved_path = Path(file_path).resolve()
+        for route in self.routes:
+            if route.is_applicable(resolved_path):
+                executed_results.append(route.execute(resolved_path))
+                
+        success = any(r.success and r.extracted_flags for r in executed_results)
+        return AnalysisResult(success=success, routes=executed_results)
 # }}}
 
 # {{{ run_analysis
 def run_analysis(file_path: Path | None = None) -> AnalysisResult:
-    """Executes all registered analysis routes to analyze and solve a challenge."""
-    routes = []
-    
-    # Route 1: Metadata Extraction
-    if file_path:
-        routes.append(run_metadata_route(Path(file_path)))
-    else:
-        routes.append(RouteResult(
-            route_name="File Metadata Extraction",
-            executed=False,
-            success=False,
-            message="No file attached to analyze."
-        ))
-        
-    success = any(r.success and r.extracted_flags for r in routes)
-    return AnalysisResult(success=success, routes=routes)
+    """Compatibility function that instantiates the RoutingEngine and runs all routes."""
+    engine = RoutingEngine()
+    engine.register_route(MetadataRoute())
+    return engine.run_all(file_path)
 # }}}

src/ctf/cli/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# src/ctf/cli/__init__.py
+# {{{ imports
+import click
+import sys
+from ctf.cli.basic import basic_group
+from ctf.cli.forensics import forensics_group
+from ctf.cli.steg import steg_group
+from ctf.cli.analyse import analyse_cmd
+from ctf.cli.flag import flag_cmd
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ debug_exception_handler
+def debug_exception_handler(type, value, tb):
+    """Unhandled exception hook to start post-mortem debugging in pdb."""
+    import traceback
+    import pdb
+    traceback.print_exception(type, value, tb)
+    print("\n[!] Unhandled exception. Entering post-mortem debugger...")
+    pdb.post_mortem(tb)
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ cli
+@click.group()
+@click.option("-d", "--debug", is_flag=True, help="Enable post-mortem debugging on errors.")
+def cli(debug):
+    if debug:
+        sys.excepthook = debug_exception_handler
+
+cli.add_command(forensics_group)
+cli.add_command(basic_group)
+cli.add_command(flag_cmd)
+cli.add_command(steg_group)
+cli.add_command(analyse_cmd)
+# }}}

src/ctf/cli/analyse.py

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# src/ctf/cli_analyse.py
+# src/ctf/cli/analyse.py
 # {{{ imports
 import click
 from pathlib import Path

src/ctf/cli/basic.py

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
-# functions for commands needed
-# src/commands.py
-
-# vim foldmethod=marker
+# src/ctf/cli/basic.py
+# {{{ imports
 import click
 from pathlib import Path
+# }}}
 
 # {{{ basic_group
 # This defines a group with name basic which will nest other comands to be imported in the main loop
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ def set_flag_format(pattern: str, original: str):
     You can either specify the regex PATTERN directly, or provide an example flag 
     via the -o/--original option to generate and select from a list of suggested patterns.
     """
-    from ctf.config import load_config, write_config
+    from ctf.config import Config
     from ctf.utils import suggest_patterns
     
     if pattern is None and original is None:
@@ -45,13 +44,12 @@ def set_flag_format(pattern: str, original: str):
     if pattern is not None and original is not None:
         raise click.UsageError("Cannot specify both PATTERN and --original/-o option.")
         
-    config_path = "/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml"
-    config = load_config(config_path)
+    cfg = Config()
     
-    if "Competition" not in config:
-        config["Competition"] = {}
+    if "Competition" not in cfg.data:
+        cfg.data["Competition"] = {}
         
-    comp_name = config["Competition"].get("competition", "")
+    comp_name = cfg.data["Competition"].get("competition", "")
         
     if original:
         if not original.strip():
@@ -67,8 +65,8 @@ def set_flag_format(pattern: str, original: str):
         val = click.prompt("Select a pattern index", type=click.IntRange(1, len(patterns)))
         pattern = patterns[val - 1]
         
-    config["Competition"]["flag_format"] = pattern
-    write_config(config, config_path)
+    cfg.data["Competition"]["flag_format"] = pattern
+    cfg.save(cfg.data)
     click.echo(f"Flag format set to: {pattern}")
 # }}}
 
@@ -78,16 +76,13 @@ def set_flag_format(pattern: str, original: str):
 @click.argument("name")
 def set_competition(name: str):
     """Set the name of the active competition."""
-    from ctf.config import load_config, write_config
+    from ctf.config import Config
     
-    config_path = "/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml"
-    config = load_config(config_path)
+    cfg = Config()
     
-    if "Competition" not in config:
-        config["Competition"] = {}
-        
-    config["Competition"]["competition"] = name
-    write_config(config, config_path)
+    if "Competition" not in cfg.data:
+        cfg.data["Competition"] = {}
+    cfg.data["Competition"]["competition"] = name
+    cfg.save(cfg.data)
     click.echo(f"Competition name set to: {name}")
 # }}}
-

src/ctf/cli/flag.py

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# src/ctf/cli/flag.py
+# {{{ imports
+import click
+from ctf.helpers import detector_state
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ flag_cmd
+@click.command(name="flag")
+@click.option("-p", "--plain", is_flag=True, help="Print raw flag without flavor text.")
+@click.option("-l", "--list", "list_format", is_flag=True, help="List the current flag format.")
+@click.option("-s", "--set", "set_format", type=str, help="Set the current flag format.")
+@click.pass_context
+def flag_cmd(ctx, plain, list_format, set_format):
+    """Retrieve the last detected flag from config, or list/set flag format options."""
+    from ctf.config import Config
+    if list_format:
+        cfg = Config()
+        flag_format = cfg.data.get("Competition", {}).get("flag_format", "")
+        if plain:
+            click.echo(flag_format)
+        else:
+            click.echo(f"Current flag format: {flag_format}" if flag_format else "No flag format configured.")
+        return
+
+    if set_format is not None:
+        from ctf.commands import set_flag_format
+        ctx.invoke(set_flag_format, pattern=set_format, original=None)
+        return
+
+    # TODO add support for multiple flags and flag selection
+    if detector_state["active"] is not None:
+        detector_state["active"].detecting = False
+    try:
+        cfg = Config()
+        last_flag = cfg.data.get("Competition", {}).get("last_flag", "")
+        if not last_flag:
+            if not plain:
+                click.echo("No flag has been detected yet.")
+            return
+        if plain:
+            click.echo(last_flag)
+        else:
+            click.echo(f"Last detected flag: {last_flag}")
+    finally:
+        if detector_state["active"] is not None:
+            detector_state["active"].detecting = True
+# }}}

src/ctf/cli/forensics.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
-# src/ctf/cli_forensics.py
-# CLI wrapper and rendering layer for forensics commands
-
-# vim foldmethod=marker
+# src/ctf/cli/forensics.py
+# {{{ imports
 import click
 from pathlib import Path
 from ctf.forensics import get_metadata, COMMON_SIGNATURES
+# }}}
 
 # {{{ forensics_group
 @click.group(name="forensics")
@@ -140,4 +139,3 @@ def list_signatures():
 
     console.print(table)
 # }}}
-

src/ctf/cli/steg.py

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# src/ctf/cli_steg.py
+# src/ctf/cli/steg.py
 # {{{ imports
 import click
 from pathlib import Path

src/ctf/cli_helpers.py

@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-# src/ctf/cli_helpers.py
-# {{{ imports
-import click
-from ctf.helpers import detector_state
-# }}}
-
-# {{{ flag_cmd
-@click.command(name="flag")
-@click.option("-p", "--plain", is_flag=True, help="Print raw flag without flavor text.")
-def flag_cmd(plain):
-    """Retrieve the last detected flag from config."""
-    # TODO add support for multiple flags and flag selection
-    if detector_state["active"] is not None:
-        detector_state["active"].detecting = False
-    try:
-        from ctf.config import load_config
-        config = load_config("/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml")
-        last_flag = config.get("Competition", {}).get("last_flag", "")
-        if not last_flag:
-            if not plain:
-                click.echo("No flag has been detected yet.")
-            return
-        if plain:
-            click.echo(last_flag)
-        else:
-            click.echo(f"Last detected flag: {last_flag}")
-    finally:
-        if detector_state["active"] is not None:
-            detector_state["active"].detecting = True
-# }}}

src/ctf/config.py

@@ -1,26 +1,38 @@
 # src/ctf/config.py
 # {{{ imports
 import toml
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
-from platformdirs import user_config_dir
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ load_config
-def load_config(config = f"{user_config_dir()}/ctf-config.toml") -> dict:
-    p = Path(config)
-    if p.exists():
-        return toml.load(p)
-    return {}
-# }}}
-
-# {{{ write_config
-def write_config(data: dict, config = f"{user_config_dir()}/ctf"):
-    with open(config, "w") as f:
-        toml.dump(data, f)
+# {{{ Config
+class Config:
+    """Manages CTF challenge configuration loading and persistence."""
+    def __init__(self, path: str | Path | None = None):
+        if path is None:
+            # Check environment variable first, then fallback to hardcoded path
+            path = os.environ.get("CTF_CONFIG_PATH", "/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml")
+        self.path = Path(path)
+        self.data = self._load()
+        
+    def _load(self) -> dict:
+        if self.path.exists():
+            try:
+                return toml.load(self.path)
+            except Exception:
+                return {}
+        return {}
+        
+    def save(self, data: dict):
+        self.data = data
+        self.path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        with open(self.path, "w") as f:
+            toml.dump(self.data, f)
 # }}}
 
 # {{{ exports
-config_data = load_config("/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml")
-competition = config_data.get("Competition", {})
-enviroment = config_data.get("Enviroment", {})
+# Load config instance to expose default values
+_cfg = Config()
+competition = _cfg.data.get("Competition", {})
+enviroment = _cfg.data.get("Enviroment", {})
 # }}}

src/ctf/decoding.py

@@ -1,80 +1,152 @@
 # src/ctf/decoding.py
+# {{{ imports
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 from chepy import Chepy
 import re
-from typing import Dict, Set
+from typing import Dict, Set, List
 from ctf.helpers import check_for_flag, is_valid_flag
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ attempt_decode
-def attempt_decode(val: str, name: str, pattern: str, method_name: str, len_check=None, validator=None) -> str | None:
-    """Helper to run regex matching, dynamic Chepy decoding, and string printability checks."""
-    # Find all matches sequentially and try decoding
-    for match in re.finditer(pattern, val):
-        matched_val = match.group(0)
-        if len_check and not len_check(matched_val):
-            continue
-            
-        try:
-            chepy_inst = Chepy(matched_val)
-            method = getattr(chepy_inst, method_name)
-            decoded = method().state
-            if isinstance(decoded, bytes):
-                dec_str = decoded.decode("utf-8")
-            elif isinstance(decoded, str):
-                dec_str = decoded
-            else:
-                dec_str = ""
+# {{{ BaseDecoder
+class BaseDecoder(ABC):
+    """Abstract base class representing a Chepy-based metadata decoder."""
+    def __init__(self, name: str, pattern: str, method_name: str):
+        self.name = name
+        self.pattern = pattern
+        self.method_name = method_name
+
+    def is_applicable(self, matched_val: str) -> bool:
+        """Determines if the matched substring is applicable for decoding (e.g. length checks)."""
+        return True
+
+    def validate(self, decoded_str: str, original_str: str) -> bool:
+        """Validates if the decoded string is expected/correct (e.g. flag regex checks)."""
+        return True
+
+    def attempt_single(self, val: str) -> str | None:
+        """Searches val for matches and returns the first successfully decoded printable string."""
+        for match in re.finditer(self.pattern, val):
+            matched_val = match.group(0)
+            if not self.is_applicable(matched_val):
+                continue
                 
-            if dec_str.strip() and all(32 <= ord(c) < 127 or c in "\r\n\t" for c in dec_str):
-                if validator and not validator(dec_str, val):
-                    continue
-                return dec_str
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-    return None
+            try:
+                chepy_inst = Chepy(matched_val)
+                method = getattr(chepy_inst, self.method_name)
+                decoded = method().state
+                if isinstance(decoded, bytes):
+                    dec_str = decoded.decode("utf-8")
+                elif isinstance(decoded, str):
+                    dec_str = decoded
+                else:
+                    dec_str = ""
+                    
+                if dec_str.strip() and all(32 <= ord(c) < 127 or c in "\r\n\t" for c in dec_str):
+                    if not self.validate(dec_str, val):
+                        continue
+                    return dec_str
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+        return None
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ Concrete Decoders
+class HexDecoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("hex", r"[0-9a-fA-F]{4,}", "from_hex")
+    def is_applicable(self, matched_val: str) -> bool:
+        return len(matched_val) % 2 == 0
+
+class Base64Decoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("base64", r"[A-Za-z0-9+/=]{4,}", "from_base64")
+    def is_applicable(self, matched_val: str) -> bool:
+        return len(matched_val) % 4 == 0
+
+class Base32Decoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("base32", r"[A-Za-z2-7=]{4,}", "from_base32")
+    def is_applicable(self, matched_val: str) -> bool:
+        return len(matched_val) % 8 == 0
+
+class BinaryDecoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("binary", r"[01]{8,}", "from_binary")
+    def is_applicable(self, matched_val: str) -> bool:
+        return len(matched_val) % 8 == 0
+
+class UrlDecoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("url", r"(?:%[0-9a-fA-F]{2})+", "from_url_encoding")
+
+class Rot13Decoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("rot13", r"[\x20-\x7E\s]{4,}", "rot_13")
+    def validate(self, decoded_str: str, original_str: str) -> bool:
+        return is_valid_flag(decoded_str, original_str)
+
+class ReversedDecoder(BaseDecoder):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("reversed", r"[\x20-\x7E\s]{4,}", "reverse")
+    def validate(self, decoded_str: str, original_str: str) -> bool:
+        return is_valid_flag(decoded_str, original_str)
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ DecodingRegistry
+class DecodingRegistry:
+    """Orchestrates decoding metadata using registered BaseDecoder classes."""
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.decoders: List[BaseDecoder] = []
+
+    def register_decoder(self, decoder: BaseDecoder):
+        self.decoders.append(decoder)
+
+    def try_decode(self, val: str, current_chain: str = "", max_depth: int = 10, seen: Set[str] = None) -> Dict[str, str]:
+        if seen is None:
+            seen = set()
+            
+        results = {}
+        if not isinstance(val, str) or not val.strip() or max_depth <= 0:
+            return results
+            
+        cleaned_val = val.strip()
+        if cleaned_val in seen:
+            return results
+        seen.add(cleaned_val)
+        
+        for decoder in self.decoders:
+            decoded_val = decoder.attempt_single(cleaned_val)
+            if decoded_val is not None:
+                chain_name = f"{current_chain}->{decoder.name}" if current_chain else decoder.name
+                results[chain_name] = decoded_val
+                
+                # Recurse
+                nested_results = self.try_decode(
+                    decoded_val,
+                    current_chain=chain_name,
+                    max_depth=max_depth - 1,
+                    seen=set(seen)
+                )
+                results.update(nested_results)
+                
+        return results
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_default_registry(cls) -> "DecodingRegistry":
+        registry = cls()
+        registry.register_decoder(HexDecoder())
+        registry.register_decoder(Base64Decoder())
+        registry.register_decoder(Base32Decoder())
+        registry.register_decoder(BinaryDecoder())
+        registry.register_decoder(UrlDecoder())
+        registry.register_decoder(Rot13Decoder())
+        registry.register_decoder(ReversedDecoder())
+        return registry
 # }}}
 
 # {{{ try_decode_metadata
 def try_decode_metadata(val: str, current_chain: str = "", max_depth: int = 10, seen: Set[str] = None) -> Dict[str, str]:
-    """Attempts to decode a metadata value using defined formats recursively."""
-    if seen is None:
-        seen = set()
-        
-    results = {}
-    if not isinstance(val, str) or not val.strip() or max_depth <= 0:
-        return results
-        
-    cleaned_val = val.strip()
-    if cleaned_val in seen:
-        return results
-    seen.add(cleaned_val)
-    
-    # We define our decoders here using unanchored patterns. Note: for rot13 and reversed, we only allow them
-    # if they produce a valid flag to avoid spamming everyday metadata fields.
-    formats = [
-        ("hex", r"[0-9a-fA-F]{4,}", "from_hex", lambda s: len(s) % 2 == 0, None),
-        ("base64", r"[A-Za-z0-9+/=]{4,}", "from_base64", lambda s: len(s) % 4 == 0, None),
-        ("base32", r"[A-Za-z2-7=]{4,}", "from_base32", lambda s: len(s) % 8 == 0, None),
-        ("binary", r"[01]{8,}", "from_binary", lambda s: len(s) % 8 == 0, None),
-        ("url", r"(?:%[0-9a-fA-F]{2})+", "from_url_encoding", None, None),
-        ("rot13", r"[\x20-\x7E\s]{4,}", "rot_13", None, is_valid_flag),
-        ("reversed", r"[\x20-\x7E\s]{4,}", "reverse", None, is_valid_flag),
-    ]
-    
-    for name, pattern, method, len_check, validator in formats:
-        decoded_val = attempt_decode(cleaned_val, name, pattern, method, len_check, validator)
-        if decoded_val is not None:
-            chain_name = f"{current_chain}->{name}" if current_chain else name
-            results[chain_name] = decoded_val
-            
-            # Recurse with copy of seen to allow different branching paths to process same strings
-            nested_results = try_decode_metadata(
-                decoded_val,
-                current_chain=chain_name,
-                max_depth=max_depth - 1,
-                seen=set(seen)
-            )
-            results.update(nested_results)
-            
-    return results
+    """Compatibility wrapper that routes decoding requests to the default registry."""
+    registry = DecodingRegistry.get_default_registry()
+    return registry.try_decode(val, current_chain, max_depth, seen)
 # }}}

src/ctf/forensics/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# src/ctf/forensics/__init__.py
+# {{{ imports
+from ctf.forensics.base import FileMetadata, FormatParser, ParserFactory, FallbackParser, COMMON_SIGNATURES
+from ctf.forensics.jpeg import JpegParser
+from ctf.forensics.png import PngParser
+from ctf.forensics.gif import GifParser
+from ctf.forensics.metadata import get_metadata
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict, Any
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ get_exif
+def get_exif(path: Path) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Compatibility wrapper for extracting EXIF tags."""
+    try:
+        with open(path, "rb") as f:
+            data = f.read()
+        return ParserFactory.get_parser(data).get_exif_tags(data)
+    except Exception:
+        return {}
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ get_comment
+def get_comment(path: Path) -> str:
+    """Compatibility wrapper for extracting comments."""
+    try:
+        with open(path, "rb") as f:
+            data = f.read()
+        return ParserFactory.get_parser(data).get_comment(data)
+    except Exception:
+        return ""
+# }}}

src/ctf/forensics/base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+# src/ctf/forensics/base.py
+# {{{ imports
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from typing import Dict, Any
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ Common Signatures
+COMMON_SIGNATURES = {
+    b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n": ("PNG Image", [".png"]),
+    b"\xff\xd8\xff": ("JPEG Image", [".jpg", ".jpeg"]),
+    b"%PDF": ("PDF Document", [".pdf"]),
+    b"PK\x03\x04": ("ZIP Archive", [".zip"]),
+    b"\x7fELF": ("ELF Executable", [".elf"]),
+    b"MZ": ("PE Executable", [".exe", ".dll"]),
+    b"GIF87a": ("GIF Image", [".gif"]),
+    b"GIF89a": ("GIF Image", [".gif"]),
+    b"7z\xbc\xaf\x27\x1c": ("7-Zip Archive", [".7z"]),
+    b"\x1f\x8b": ("GZIP Archive", [".gz"]),
+    b"Rar!\x1a\x07\x00": ("RAR Archive", [".rar"]),
+    b"Rar!\x1a\x07\x01\x00": ("RAR Archive", [".rar"]),
+    b"BZh": ("BZIP2 Archive", [".bz2"]),
+    b"BM": ("BMP Image", [".bmp"]),
+    b"ID3": ("MP3 Audio", [".mp3"]),
+}
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ FileMetadata
+@dataclass
+class FileMetadata:
+    filename: str
+    size: int
+    magic: str
+    extension: str
+    detected_type: str
+    
+    # POSIX Permissions
+    permissions_octal: str
+    permissions_symbolic: str
+    
+    # Ownership Identity
+    owner_uid: int
+    owner_username: str
+    owner_gid: int
+    owner_groupname: str
+    
+    # Allocation Metrics
+    allocated_size: int
+    
+    # Hard Links
+    hard_links: int
+    
+    # Inode & Device Identifiers
+    inode: int
+    device: int
+    
+    # Extended Attributes
+    extended_attributes: Dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    
+    # EXIF Data
+    exif_data: Dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    
+    # Physical Image Data
+    physical_data: Dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    
+    # Decoded metadata hints
+    decoded_hints: Dict[str, Dict[str, str]] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    
+    # JPEG/PNG Comments
+    comment: str = ""
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ FormatParser
+class FormatParser(ABC):
+    """Abstract base class representing a file format metadata parser."""
+    @abstractmethod
+    def is_matching(self, data: bytes) -> bool:
+        pass
+    @abstractmethod
+    def parse_physical(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        pass
+    @abstractmethod
+    def get_comment(self, data: bytes) -> str:
+        pass
+    @abstractmethod
+    def get_exif_tags(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        pass
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ FallbackParser
+class FallbackParser(FormatParser):
+    def is_matching(self, data: bytes) -> bool:
+        return True
+    def parse_physical(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return {}
+    def get_comment(self, data: bytes) -> str:
+        return ""
+    def get_exif_tags(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return {}
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ ParserFactory
+class ParserFactory:
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_parser(data: bytes) -> FormatParser:
+        from ctf.forensics.jpeg import JpegParser
+        from ctf.forensics.png import PngParser
+        from ctf.forensics.gif import GifParser
+        parsers = [JpegParser(), PngParser(), GifParser()]
+        for parser in parsers:
+            if parser.is_matching(data):
+                return parser
+        return FallbackParser()
+# }}}

src/ctf/forensics/gif.py

@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+# src/ctf/forensics/gif.py
+# {{{ imports
+import struct
+from typing import Dict, Any
+from ctf.forensics.base import FormatParser
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ GifParser
+class GifParser(FormatParser):
+    def is_matching(self, data: bytes) -> bool:
+        return data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a")
+    def parse_physical(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return get_gif_physical(data)
+    def get_comment(self, data: bytes) -> str:
+        return extract_gif_comments(data)
+    def get_exif_tags(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return {}
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ get_gif_physical
+def get_gif_physical(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Parses GIF logical screen descriptor for physical size."""
+    physical = {}
+    if not (data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a")):
+        return physical
+    if len(data) >= 10:
+        width = struct.unpack("<H", data[6:8])[0]
+        height = struct.unpack("<H", data[8:10])[0]
+        physical["Image Size"] = f"{width}x{height}"
+        mp = (width * height) / 1000000.0
+        physical["Megapixels"] = f"{mp:.1f}"
+        physical["Encoding Process"] = "LZW"
+    return physical
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ extract_gif_comments
+def extract_gif_comments(data: bytes) -> str:
+    """Extracts comments from GIF comment extensions (\x21\xfe) sequentially."""
+    if not (data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a")):
+        return ""
+    comments = []
+    idx = 6
+    if idx + 7 > len(data):
+        return ""
+    packed_byte = data[idx+4]
+    global_color_table_present = bool(packed_byte & 0x80)
+    global_color_table_size = 2 ** ((packed_byte & 0x07) + 1)
+    idx += 7
+    if global_color_table_present:
+        idx += 3 * global_color_table_size
+        
+    while idx < len(data) - 2:
+        intro = data[idx]
+        if intro == 0x21:  # Extension Introducer
+            ext_label = data[idx+1]
+            idx += 2
+            if ext_label == 0xfe:  # Comment Extension
+                comment_parts = []
+                while idx < len(data):
+                    block_len = data[idx]
+                    idx += 1
+                    if block_len == 0:
+                        break
+                    if idx + block_len <= len(data):
+                        comment_parts.append(data[idx:idx+block_len].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore"))
+                        idx += block_len
+                    else:
+                        break
+                comments.append("".join(comment_parts))
+            else:
+                while idx < len(data):
+                    block_len = data[idx]
+                    idx += 1
+                    if block_len == 0:
+                        break
+                    idx += block_len
+        elif intro == 0x2c:  # Image Descriptor
+            if idx + 10 > len(data):
+                break
+            packed = data[idx+9]
+            local_table = bool(packed & 0x80)
+            local_table_size = 2 ** ((packed & 0x07) + 1)
+            idx += 10
+            if local_table:
+                idx += 3 * local_table_size
+            idx += 1
+            while idx < len(data):
+                block_len = data[idx]
+                idx += 1
+                if block_len == 0:
+                    break
+                idx += block_len
+        elif intro == 0x3b:  # Trailer
+            break
+        else:
+            idx += 1
+    return "\n".join(comments)
+# }}}

src/ctf/forensics/jpeg.py

@@ -1,225 +1,35 @@
-# src/ctf/forensics.py
-# Library for forensic analysis (pure functions only)
-
-# vim foldmethod=marker
-from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from pathlib import Path
-import stat
-import os
-import sys
+# src/ctf/forensics/jpeg.py
+# {{{ imports
 import struct
 import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
-from typing import List, Dict, Any
-
-try:
-    import pwd
-    import grp
-except ImportError:
-    pwd = None
-    grp = None
-
-# {{{ Common Signatures
-COMMON_SIGNATURES = {
-    b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n": ("PNG Image", [".png"]),
-    b"\xff\xd8\xff": ("JPEG Image", [".jpg", ".jpeg"]),
-    b"%PDF": ("PDF Document", [".pdf"]),
-    b"PK\x03\x04": ("ZIP Archive", [".zip"]),
-    b"\x7fELF": ("ELF Executable", [".elf"]),
-    b"MZ": ("PE Executable", [".exe", ".dll"]),
-    b"GIF87a": ("GIF Image", [".gif"]),
-    b"GIF89a": ("GIF Image", [".gif"]),
-    b"7z\xbc\xaf\x27\x1c": ("7-Zip Archive", [".7z"]),
-    b"\x1f\x8b": ("GZIP Archive", [".gz"]),
-    b"Rar!\x1a\x07\x00": ("RAR Archive", [".rar"]),
-    b"Rar!\x1a\x07\x01\x00": ("RAR Archive", [".rar"]),
-    b"BZh": ("BZIP2 Archive", [".bz2"]),
-    b"BM": ("BMP Image", [".bmp"]),
-    b"ID3": ("MP3 Audio", [".mp3"]),
-}
+from typing import Dict, Any
+from ctf.forensics.base import FormatParser
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ FileMetadata
-@dataclass
-class FileMetadata:
-    filename: str
-    size: int
-    magic: str
-    extension: str
-    detected_type: str
-    
-    # Task 1: POSIX Permissions
-    permissions_octal: str
-    permissions_symbolic: str
-    
-    # Task 2: Ownership Identity
-    owner_uid: int
-    owner_username: str
-    owner_gid: int
-    owner_groupname: str
-    
-    # Task 3: Allocation Metrics
-    allocated_size: int
-    
-    # Task 4: Hard Links
-    hard_links: int
-    
-    # Task 5: Inode & Device Identifiers
-    inode: int
-    device: int
-    
-    # Task 6: Extended Attributes
-    extended_attributes: Dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
-    
-    # EXIF Data
-    exif_data: Dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
-    
-    # Physical Image Data
-    physical_data: Dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
-    
-    # Decoded metadata hints
-    decoded_hints: Dict[str, Dict[str, str]] = field(default_factory=dict)
-    
-    # JPEG/PNG Comments
-    comment: str = ""
-# }}}
-
-# {{{ get_metadata
-def get_metadata(path: Path) -> FileMetadata:
-    """Extracts metadata attributes from a file without any console rendering."""
-    p = Path(path)
-    if not p.exists():
-        raise FileNotFoundError(f"File not found: {p}")
-        
-    stat_info = p.stat()
-    
-    # Apparent size & extension
-    size = stat_info.st_size
-    extension = p.suffix
-    
-    # Magic bytes
-    try:
-        with open(p, 'rb') as f:
-            magic = f.read(8).hex().upper()
-    except Exception:
-        magic = ""
-        
-    detected_type = "Unknown"
-    try:
-        magic_bytes = bytes.fromhex(magic)
-        for signature, (type_name, exts) in COMMON_SIGNATURES.items():
-            if magic_bytes.startswith(signature):
-                detected_type = type_name
-                break
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-        
-    # POSIX Permissions
-    mode = stat_info.st_mode
-    permissions_octal = oct(stat.S_IMODE(mode))
-    permissions_symbolic = stat.filemode(mode)
-    
-    # Ownership Identity
-    owner_uid = stat_info.st_uid
-    owner_gid = stat_info.st_gid
-    owner_username = str(owner_uid)
-    owner_groupname = str(owner_gid)
-    
-    if pwd is not None:
+# {{{ JpegParser
+class JpegParser(FormatParser):
+    def is_matching(self, data: bytes) -> bool:
+        return data.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff")
+    def parse_physical(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return get_jpeg_physical(data)
+    def get_comment(self, data: bytes) -> str:
+        return extract_jpeg_comment(data)
+    def get_exif_tags(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        tags = {}
+        exif_data = extract_jpeg_exif(data)
+        if exif_data:
+            try:
+                tags.update(parse_tiff(exif_data))
+            except Exception: pass
+        xmp_str = extract_jpeg_xmp(data)
+        if xmp_str:
+            try:
+                tags.update(parse_xmp(xmp_str))
+            except Exception: pass
         try:
-            owner_username = pwd.getpwuid(owner_uid).pw_name
-        except KeyError:
-            pass
-    if grp is not None:
-        try:
-            owner_groupname = grp.getgrgid(owner_gid).gr_name
-        except KeyError:
-            pass
-            
-    # Allocation Metrics
-    if hasattr(stat_info, "st_blocks"):
-        allocated_size = stat_info.st_blocks * 512
-    else:
-        allocated_size = size
-        
-    # Hard Links
-    hard_links = stat_info.st_nlink
-    
-    # Inode & Device Identifiers
-    inode = stat_info.st_ino
-    device = stat_info.st_dev
-    
-    # Extended Attributes
-    extended_attributes = {}
-    if hasattr(os, "listxattr") and hasattr(os, "getxattr"):
-        try:
-            attrs = os.listxattr(p)
-            for attr in attrs:
-                try:
-                    val = os.getxattr(p, attr)
-                    extended_attributes[attr] = val.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                except OSError:
-                    pass
-        except OSError:
-            pass
-            
-    exif_data = get_exif(p)
-    comment = get_comment(p)
-    
-    physical_data = {}
-    try:
-        with open(p, "rb") as f:
-            file_bytes = f.read()
-        if file_bytes.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff"):
-            physical_data = get_jpeg_physical(file_bytes)
-        elif file_bytes.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
-            physical_data = get_png_physical(file_bytes)
-        elif file_bytes.startswith(b"GIF87a") or file_bytes.startswith(b"GIF89a"):
-            physical_data = get_gif_physical(file_bytes)
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-            
-    decoded_hints = {}
-    try:
-        from ctf.decoding import try_decode_metadata
-        if comment:
-            dec = try_decode_metadata(comment)
-            if dec:
-                decoded_hints["Comment"] = dec
-        for tag, val in exif_data.items():
-            if isinstance(val, str):
-                dec = try_decode_metadata(val)
-                if dec:
-                    decoded_hints[f"EXIF:{tag}"] = dec
-        for attr, val in extended_attributes.items():
-            if isinstance(val, str):
-                dec = try_decode_metadata(val)
-                if dec:
-                    decoded_hints[f"xattr:{attr}"] = dec
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-            
-    return FileMetadata(
-        filename=p.name,
-        size=size,
-        magic=magic,
-        extension=extension,
-        detected_type=detected_type,
-        permissions_octal=permissions_octal,
-        permissions_symbolic=permissions_symbolic,
-        owner_uid=owner_uid,
-        owner_username=owner_username,
-        owner_gid=owner_gid,
-        owner_groupname=owner_groupname,
-        allocated_size=allocated_size,
-        hard_links=hard_links,
-        inode=inode,
-        device=device,
-        extended_attributes=extended_attributes,
-        exif_data=exif_data,
-        physical_data=physical_data,
-        decoded_hints=decoded_hints,
-        comment=comment
-    )
+            tags.update(extract_jpeg_iptc(data))
+        except Exception: pass
+        return tags
 # }}}
 
 # {{{ EXIF tags
@@ -260,7 +70,8 @@ EXIF_TAGS = {
     0xa403: "WhiteBalance",
     0xa405: "FocalLengthIn35mmFilm",
     0xa406: "SceneCaptureType",
-}# }}}
+}
+# }}}
 
 # {{{ parse_tiff
 def parse_tiff(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -371,7 +182,6 @@ def extract_jpeg_exif(data: bytes) -> bytes:
             marker = data[idx+1]
             if marker == 0xd9:  # EOI
                 break
-            # Markers without length parameters
             if marker in (0xd8, 0xd9, 0x00) or 0xd0 <= marker <= 0xd7:
                 idx += 2
                 continue
@@ -386,75 +196,6 @@ def extract_jpeg_exif(data: bytes) -> bytes:
     return b""
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ extract_png_exif
-def extract_png_exif(data: bytes) -> bytes:
-    """Extracts raw Exif/TIFF payload from PNG eXIf chunks."""
-    if not data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
-        return b""
-    idx = 8
-    while idx < len(data) - 8:
-        length = struct.unpack(">I", data[idx:idx+4])[0]
-        chunk_type = data[idx+4:idx+8]
-        if chunk_type == b"eXIf":
-            return data[idx+8:idx+8+length]
-        elif chunk_type == b"IEND":
-            break
-        idx += 12 + length
-    return b""
-# }}}
-
-# {{{ get_exif
-def get_exif(path: Path) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-    """Reads file, extracts Exif and XMP segments, and parses them to a tag dictionary."""
-    try:
-        with open(path, "rb") as f:
-            data = f.read()
-    except Exception:
-        return {}
-        
-    tags = {}
-    
-    # 1. Parse standard EXIF
-    exif_data = b""
-    if data.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff"):
-        exif_data = extract_jpeg_exif(data)
-    elif data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
-        exif_data = extract_png_exif(data)
-        
-    if exif_data:
-        try:
-            tags.update(parse_tiff(exif_data))
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-            
-    # 2. Parse XMP (Adobe)
-    xmp_str = ""
-    if data.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff"):
-        xmp_str = extract_jpeg_xmp(data)
-        
-    if xmp_str:
-        try:
-            tags.update(parse_xmp(xmp_str))
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-            
-    # 3. Parse IPTC (Photoshop APP13) if JPEG
-    if data.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff"):
-        try:
-            tags.update(extract_jpeg_iptc(data))
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-            
-    # 4. Parse PNG text chunks if PNG
-    if data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
-        try:
-            tags.update(parse_png_text_chunks(data))
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-            
-    return tags
-# }}}
-
 # {{{ extract_jpeg_comment
 def extract_jpeg_comment(data: bytes) -> str:
     """Extracts raw comment string from JPEG COM (0xfe) segments."""
@@ -479,23 +220,7 @@ def extract_jpeg_comment(data: bytes) -> str:
     return ""
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ get_comment
-def get_comment(path: Path) -> str:
-    """Reads file, checks headers, and extracts JPEG COM / GIF comments."""
-    try:
-        with open(path, "rb") as f:
-            data = f.read()
-    except Exception:
-        return ""
-        
-    if data.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff"):
-        return extract_jpeg_comment(data)
-    elif data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a"):
-        return extract_gif_comments(data)
-    return ""
-# }}}
-
-#{{{ NS_map
+# {{{ NS_map
 NS_MAP = {
     "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#": "rdf",
     "http://creativecommons.org/ns#": "cc",
@@ -504,7 +229,7 @@ NS_MAP = {
     "http://ns.adobe.com/exif/1.0/": "exif",
     "http://ns.adobe.com/tiff/1.0/": "tiff",
 }
-#}}}
+# }}}
 
 # {{{ parse_xmp
 def parse_xmp(xmp_str: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -654,84 +379,6 @@ def get_jpeg_physical(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     return physical
 # }}}
 
-# {{{ get_png_physical
-def get_png_physical(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-    """Parses PNG IHDR and pHYs chunks for physical properties."""
-    physical = {}
-    if not data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
-        return physical
-        
-    idx = 8
-    while idx < len(data) - 8:
-        length = struct.unpack(">I", data[idx:idx+4])[0]
-        chunk_type = data[idx+4:idx+8]
-        chunk_data = data[idx+8:idx+8+length]
-        
-        if chunk_type == b"IHDR":
-            if len(chunk_data) >= 13:
-                width = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[0:4])[0]
-                height = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[4:8])[0]
-                bit_depth = chunk_data[8]
-                color_type = chunk_data[9]
-                compression = chunk_data[10]
-                filter_method = chunk_data[11]
-                interlace = chunk_data[12]
-                
-                physical["Image Size"] = f"{width}x{height}"
-                mp = (width * height) / 1000000.0
-                physical["Megapixels"] = f"{mp:.1f}"
-                physical["Bit Depth"] = f"{bit_depth} bits/sample"
-                
-                color_types = {
-                    0: "Grayscale",
-                    2: "Truecolor",
-                    3: "Indexed-color",
-                    4: "Grayscale with Alpha",
-                    6: "Truecolor with Alpha"
-                }
-                physical["Color Type"] = color_types.get(color_type, f"Unknown ({color_type})")
-                
-                if compression == 0:
-                    physical["Encoding Process"] = "Deflate/Inflate"
-                else:
-                    physical["Encoding Process"] = f"Unknown compression ({compression})"
-                    
-                interlace_methods = {
-                    0: "Noninterlaced",
-                    1: "Adam7 Interlace"
-                }
-                physical["Interlace Method"] = interlace_methods.get(interlace, f"Unknown ({interlace})")
-        elif chunk_type == b"pHYs":
-            if len(chunk_data) >= 9:
-                x_res = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[0:4])[0]
-                y_res = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[4:8])[0]
-                unit = chunk_data[8]
-                unit_str = " meters" if unit == 1 else " (unknown unit)"
-                physical["Pixels Per Unit X"] = f"{x_res}{unit_str}"
-                physical["Pixels Per Unit Y"] = f"{y_res}{unit_str}"
-        elif chunk_type == b"IEND":
-            break
-        idx += 12 + length
-        
-    return physical
-# }}}
-
-# {{{ get_gif_physical
-def get_gif_physical(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-    """Parses GIF logical screen descriptor for physical size."""
-    physical = {}
-    if not (data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a")):
-        return physical
-    if len(data) >= 10:
-        width = struct.unpack("<H", data[6:8])[0]
-        height = struct.unpack("<H", data[8:10])[0]
-        physical["Image Size"] = f"{width}x{height}"
-        mp = (width * height) / 1000000.0
-        physical["Megapixels"] = f"{mp:.1f}"
-        physical["Encoding Process"] = "LZW"
-    return physical
-# }}}
-
 # {{{ extract_jpeg_iptc
 def extract_jpeg_iptc(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, str]:
     """Extracts IPTC/NAA metadata (Record 2) from Photoshop APP13 segments."""
@@ -819,132 +466,3 @@ def extract_jpeg_iptc(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, str]:
             
     return iptc_metadata
 # }}}
-
-# {{{ parse_png_text_chunks
-def parse_png_text_chunks(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, str]:
-    """Decompresses and extracts standard tEXt/zTXt/iTXt PNG text metadata."""
-    import zlib
-    text_metadata = {}
-    if not data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
-        return text_metadata
-    idx = 8
-    while idx < len(data) - 8:
-        length = struct.unpack(">I", data[idx:idx+4])[0]
-        chunk_type = data[idx+4:idx+8]
-        chunk_data = data[idx+8:idx+8+length]
-        if chunk_type == b"tEXt":
-            parts = chunk_data.split(b"\x00", 1)
-            if len(parts) == 2:
-                key = parts[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                val = parts[1].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                text_metadata[key] = val
-        elif chunk_type == b"zTXt":
-            parts = chunk_data.split(b"\x00", 1)
-            if len(parts) == 2:
-                key = parts[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                remaining = parts[1]
-                if len(remaining) > 1:
-                    comp_method = remaining[0]
-                    comp_text = remaining[1:]
-                    if comp_method == 0:
-                        try:
-                            val = zlib.decompress(comp_text).decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                            text_metadata[key] = val
-                        except Exception:
-                            pass
-        elif chunk_type == b"iTXt":
-            parts = chunk_data.split(b"\x00", 1)
-            if len(parts) == 2:
-                key = parts[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                remaining = parts[1]
-                if len(remaining) >= 2:
-                    comp_flag = remaining[0]
-                    comp_method = remaining[1]
-                    rem = remaining[2:]
-                    parts2 = rem.split(b"\x00", 1)
-                    if len(parts2) == 2:
-                        lang_tag = parts2[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                        rem = parts2[1]
-                        parts3 = rem.split(b"\x00", 1)
-                        if len(parts3) == 2:
-                            trans_key = parts3[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                            text_bytes = parts3[1]
-                            if comp_flag == 1 and comp_method == 0:
-                                try:
-                                    val = zlib.decompress(text_bytes).decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                                    text_metadata[key] = val
-                                except Exception:
-                                    pass
-                            else:
-                                val = text_bytes.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
-                                text_metadata[key] = val
-        elif chunk_type == b"IEND":
-            break
-        idx += 12 + length
-    return text_metadata
-# }}}
-
-# {{{ extract_gif_comments
-def extract_gif_comments(data: bytes) -> str:
-    """Extracts comments from GIF comment extensions (\x21\xfe) sequentially."""
-    if not (data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a")):
-        return ""
-    comments = []
-    idx = 6
-    if idx + 7 > len(data):
-        return ""
-    packed_byte = data[idx+4]
-    global_color_table_present = bool(packed_byte & 0x80)
-    global_color_table_size = 2 ** ((packed_byte & 0x07) + 1)
-    idx += 7
-    if global_color_table_present:
-        idx += 3 * global_color_table_size
-        
-    while idx < len(data) - 2:
-        intro = data[idx]
-        if intro == 0x21:  # Extension Introducer
-            ext_label = data[idx+1]
-            idx += 2
-            if ext_label == 0xfe:  # Comment Extension
-                comment_parts = []
-                while idx < len(data):
-                    block_len = data[idx]
-                    idx += 1
-                    if block_len == 0:
-                        break
-                    if idx + block_len <= len(data):
-                        comment_parts.append(data[idx:idx+block_len].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore"))
-                        idx += block_len
-                    else:
-                        break
-                comments.append("".join(comment_parts))
-            else:
-                while idx < len(data):
-                    block_len = data[idx]
-                    idx += 1
-                    if block_len == 0:
-                        break
-                    idx += block_len
-        elif intro == 0x2c:  # Image Descriptor
-            if idx + 10 > len(data):
-                break
-            packed = data[idx+9]
-            local_table = bool(packed & 0x80)
-            local_table_size = 2 ** ((packed & 0x07) + 1)
-            idx += 10
-            if local_table:
-                idx += 3 * local_table_size
-            idx += 1
-            while idx < len(data):
-                block_len = data[idx]
-                idx += 1
-                if block_len == 0:
-                    break
-                idx += block_len
-        elif intro == 0x3b:  # Trailer
-            break
-        else:
-            idx += 1
-    return "\n".join(comments)
-# }}}
-

src/ctf/forensics/metadata.py

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+# src/ctf/forensics/metadata.py
+# {{{ imports
+from pathlib import Path
+import os
+import stat
+from ctf.forensics.base import FileMetadata, COMMON_SIGNATURES, ParserFactory
+
+try:
+    import pwd
+    import grp
+except ImportError:
+    pwd = None
+    grp = None
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ get_metadata
+def get_metadata(path: Path) -> FileMetadata:
+    """Extracts metadata attributes from a file without any console rendering."""
+    p = Path(path)
+    if not p.exists():
+        raise FileNotFoundError(f"File not found: {p}")
+        
+    stat_info = p.stat()
+    size = stat_info.st_size
+    extension = p.suffix
+    
+    try:
+        with open(p, 'rb') as f:
+            magic = f.read(8).hex().upper()
+    except Exception:
+        magic = ""
+        
+    detected_type = "Unknown"
+    try:
+        magic_bytes = bytes.fromhex(magic)
+        for signature, (type_name, exts) in COMMON_SIGNATURES.items():
+            if magic_bytes.startswith(signature):
+                detected_type = type_name
+                break
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+        
+    mode = stat_info.st_mode
+    permissions_octal = oct(stat.S_IMODE(mode))
+    permissions_symbolic = stat.filemode(mode)
+    
+    owner_uid = stat_info.st_uid
+    owner_gid = stat_info.st_gid
+    owner_username = str(owner_uid)
+    owner_groupname = str(owner_gid)
+    
+    if pwd is not None:
+        try:
+            owner_username = pwd.getpwuid(owner_uid).pw_name
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+    if grp is not None:
+        try:
+            owner_groupname = grp.getgrgid(owner_gid).gr_name
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+            
+    if hasattr(stat_info, "st_blocks"):
+        allocated_size = stat_info.st_blocks * 512
+    else:
+        allocated_size = size
+        
+    hard_links = stat_info.st_nlink
+    inode = stat_info.st_ino
+    device = stat_info.st_dev
+    
+    extended_attributes = {}
+    if hasattr(os, "listxattr") and hasattr(os, "getxattr"):
+        try:
+            attrs = os.listxattr(p)
+            for attr in attrs:
+                try:
+                    val = os.getxattr(p, attr)
+                    extended_attributes[attr] = val.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                except OSError:
+                    pass
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+            
+    try:
+        with open(p, "rb") as f:
+            file_bytes = f.read()
+        parser = ParserFactory.get_parser(file_bytes)
+        exif_data = parser.get_exif_tags(file_bytes)
+        comment = parser.get_comment(file_bytes)
+        physical_data = parser.parse_physical(file_bytes)
+    except Exception:
+        exif_data = {}
+        comment = ""
+        physical_data = {}
+            
+    decoded_hints = {}
+    try:
+        from ctf.decoding import try_decode_metadata
+        if comment:
+            dec = try_decode_metadata(comment)
+            if dec:
+                decoded_hints["Comment"] = dec
+        for tag, val in exif_data.items():
+            if isinstance(val, str):
+                dec = try_decode_metadata(val)
+                if dec:
+                    decoded_hints[f"EXIF:{tag}"] = dec
+        for attr, val in extended_attributes.items():
+            if isinstance(val, str):
+                dec = try_decode_metadata(val)
+                if dec:
+                    decoded_hints[f"xattr:{attr}"] = dec
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+            
+    return FileMetadata(
+        filename=p.name,
+        size=size,
+        magic=magic,
+        extension=extension,
+        detected_type=detected_type,
+        permissions_octal=permissions_octal,
+        permissions_symbolic=permissions_symbolic,
+        owner_uid=owner_uid,
+        owner_username=owner_username,
+        owner_gid=owner_gid,
+        owner_groupname=owner_groupname,
+        allocated_size=allocated_size,
+        hard_links=hard_links,
+        inode=inode,
+        device=device,
+        extended_attributes=extended_attributes,
+        exif_data=exif_data,
+        physical_data=physical_data,
+        decoded_hints=decoded_hints,
+        comment=comment
+    )
+# }}}

src/ctf/forensics/png.py

@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+# src/ctf/forensics/png.py
+# {{{ imports
+import struct
+from typing import Dict, Any
+from ctf.forensics.base import FormatParser
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ PngParser
+class PngParser(FormatParser):
+    def is_matching(self, data: bytes) -> bool:
+        return data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n")
+    def parse_physical(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return get_png_physical(data)
+    def get_comment(self, data: bytes) -> str:
+        return ""
+    def get_exif_tags(self, data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        tags = {}
+        exif_data = extract_png_exif(data)
+        if exif_data:
+            try:
+                from ctf.forensics.jpeg import parse_tiff
+                tags.update(parse_tiff(exif_data))
+            except Exception: pass
+        try:
+            tags.update(parse_png_text_chunks(data))
+        except Exception: pass
+        return tags
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ extract_png_exif
+def extract_png_exif(data: bytes) -> bytes:
+    """Extracts raw Exif/TIFF payload from PNG eXIf chunks."""
+    if not data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
+        return b""
+    idx = 8
+    while idx < len(data) - 8:
+        length = struct.unpack(">I", data[idx:idx+4])[0]
+        chunk_type = data[idx+4:idx+8]
+        if chunk_type == b"eXIf":
+            return data[idx+8:idx+8+length]
+        elif chunk_type == b"IEND":
+            break
+        idx += 12 + length
+    return b""
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ get_png_physical
+def get_png_physical(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Parses PNG IHDR and pHYs chunks for physical properties."""
+    physical = {}
+    if not data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
+        return physical
+        
+    idx = 8
+    while idx < len(data) - 8:
+        length = struct.unpack(">I", data[idx:idx+4])[0]
+        chunk_type = data[idx+4:idx+8]
+        chunk_data = data[idx+8:idx+8+length]
+        
+        if chunk_type == b"IHDR":
+            if len(chunk_data) >= 13:
+                width = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[0:4])[0]
+                height = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[4:8])[0]
+                bit_depth = chunk_data[8]
+                color_type = chunk_data[9]
+                compression = chunk_data[10]
+                filter_method = chunk_data[11]
+                interlace = chunk_data[12]
+                
+                physical["Image Size"] = f"{width}x{height}"
+                mp = (width * height) / 1000000.0
+                physical["Megapixels"] = f"{mp:.1f}"
+                physical["Bit Depth"] = f"{bit_depth} bits/sample"
+                
+                color_types = {
+                    0: "Grayscale",
+                    2: "Truecolor",
+                    3: "Indexed-color",
+                    4: "Grayscale with Alpha",
+                    6: "Truecolor with Alpha"
+                }
+                physical["Color Type"] = color_types.get(color_type, f"Unknown ({color_type})")
+                
+                if compression == 0:
+                    physical["Encoding Process"] = "Deflate/Inflate"
+                else:
+                    physical["Encoding Process"] = f"Unknown compression ({compression})"
+                    
+                interlace_methods = {
+                    0: "Noninterlaced",
+                    1: "Adam7 Interlace"
+                }
+                physical["Interlace Method"] = interlace_methods.get(interlace, f"Unknown ({interlace})")
+        elif chunk_type == b"pHYs":
+            if len(chunk_data) >= 9:
+                x_res = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[0:4])[0]
+                y_res = struct.unpack(">I", chunk_data[4:8])[0]
+                unit = chunk_data[8]
+                unit_str = " meters" if unit == 1 else " (unknown unit)"
+                physical["Pixels Per Unit X"] = f"{x_res}{unit_str}"
+                physical["Pixels Per Unit Y"] = f"{y_res}{unit_str}"
+        elif chunk_type == b"IEND":
+            break
+        idx += 12 + length
+        
+    return physical
+# }}}
+
+# {{{ parse_png_text_chunks
+def parse_png_text_chunks(data: bytes) -> Dict[str, str]:
+    """Decompresses and extracts standard tEXt/zTXt/iTXt PNG text metadata."""
+    import zlib
+    text_metadata = {}
+    if not data.startswith(b"\x89PNG\r\n\x1a\n"):
+        return text_metadata
+    idx = 8
+    while idx < len(data) - 8:
+        length = struct.unpack(">I", data[idx:idx+4])[0]
+        chunk_type = data[idx+4:idx+8]
+        chunk_data = data[idx+8:idx+8+length]
+        if chunk_type == b"tEXt":
+            parts = chunk_data.split(b"\x00", 1)
+            if len(parts) == 2:
+                key = parts[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                val = parts[1].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                text_metadata[key] = val
+        elif chunk_type == b"zTXt":
+            parts = chunk_data.split(b"\x00", 1)
+            if len(parts) == 2:
+                key = parts[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                remaining = parts[1]
+                if len(remaining) > 1:
+                    comp_method = remaining[0]
+                    comp_text = remaining[1:]
+                    if comp_method == 0:
+                        try:
+                            val = zlib.decompress(comp_text).decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                            text_metadata[key] = val
+                        except Exception:
+                            pass
+        elif chunk_type == b"iTXt":
+            parts = chunk_data.split(b"\x00", 1)
+            if len(parts) == 2:
+                key = parts[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                remaining = parts[1]
+                if len(remaining) >= 2:
+                    comp_flag = remaining[0]
+                    comp_method = remaining[1]
+                    rem = remaining[2:]
+                    parts2 = rem.split(b"\x00", 1)
+                    if len(parts2) == 2:
+                        lang_tag = parts2[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                        rem = parts2[1]
+                        parts3 = rem.split(b"\x00", 1)
+                        if len(parts3) == 2:
+                            trans_key = parts3[0].decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                            text_bytes = parts3[1]
+                            if comp_flag == 1 and comp_method == 0:
+                                try:
+                                    val = zlib.decompress(text_bytes).decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                                    text_metadata[key] = val
+                                except Exception:
+                                    pass
+                            else:
+                                val = text_bytes.decode("utf-8", errors="ignore")
+                                text_metadata[key] = val
+        elif chunk_type == b"IEND":
+            break
+        idx += 12 + length
+    return text_metadata
+# }}}

src/ctf/helpers.py

@@ -18,9 +18,9 @@ def check_for_flag(text: str, pattern: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
         patterns.append(pattern.strip("^$"))
     else:
         try:
-            from ctf.config import load_config
-            config = load_config()
-            flag_format = config.get("Competition", {}).get("flag_format", "")
+            from ctf.config import Config
+            cfg = Config()
+            flag_format = cfg.data.get("Competition", {}).get("flag_format", "")
         except Exception:
             flag_format = ""
         if flag_format:
@@ -74,13 +74,12 @@ class FlagDetectorStream:
                 for match in matches:
                     self.original_stream.write(f"  \033[1;32m✓ {match}\033[0m\n")
                     try:
-                        from ctf.config import load_config, write_config
-                        config_path = "/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml"
-                        config = load_config(config_path)
-                        if "Competition" not in config:
-                            config["Competition"] = {}
-                        config["Competition"]["last_flag"] = match
-                        write_config(config, config_path)
+                        from ctf.config import Config
+                        cfg = Config()
+                        if "Competition" not in cfg.data:
+                            cfg.data["Competition"] = {}
+                        cfg.data["Competition"]["last_flag"] = match
+                        cfg.save(cfg.data)
                     except Exception:
                         pass
                 self._flag_buffer = ""

src/ctf/main.py

@@ -1,31 +1,15 @@
 # src/main.py
 # Parses and calls commands
 
-from ctf.commands import basic_group
-from ctf.cli_forensics import forensics_group
-from ctf.cli_steg import steg_group
-from ctf.cli_analyse import analyse_cmd
-from ctf.cli_helpers import flag_cmd
-from ctf.helpers import FlagDetectorStream, detector_state
-import click
 import sys
-
-# {{{ cli
-@click.group()
-def cli(): pass
-
-cli.add_command(forensics_group)
-cli.add_command(basic_group)
-cli.add_command(flag_cmd)
-cli.add_command(steg_group)
-cli.add_command(analyse_cmd)
-# }}}
+from ctf.cli import cli
+from ctf.helpers import FlagDetectorStream, detector_state
 
 # {{{ main
 def main():
-    from ctf.config import load_config
-    config = load_config("/home/venus/code/ctf/config.toml")
-    flag_format = config.get("Competition", {}).get("flag_format", "")
+    from ctf.config import Config
+    cfg = Config()
+    flag_format = cfg.data.get("Competition", {}).get("flag_format", "")
     
     if flag_format:
         detector = FlagDetectorStream(sys.stdout, flag_format)

src/ctf/utils.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # basic utilities
 
 from pathlib import Path
-from ctf.config import load_config, competition, enviroment
+from ctf.config import competition, enviroment
 
 # return a list of path objects for each catagory in a competition
 def active_categories(p: Path) -> list: