Bootstrap most of Spack dependencies using environments (#34029)

This commit reworks the bootstrapping procedure to use Spack environments 
as much as possible.

The `spack.bootstrap` module has also been reorganized into a Python package. 
A distinction is made among "core" Spack dependencies (clingo, GnuPG, patchelf)
and other dependencies. For a number of reasons, explained in the `spack.bootstrap.core`
module docstring, "core" dependencies are bootstrapped with the current ad-hoc
method. 

All the other dependencies are instead bootstrapped using a Spack environment
that lives in a directory specific to the interpreter and the architecture being used. 

26 files changed, 1531 insertions, 1154 deletions

diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yaml
index 828cc44773..ad70cd82ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_tests.yaml
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ jobs:
       shell: runuser -u spack-test -- bash {0}
       run: |
           source share/spack/setup-env.sh
-          spack -d solve zlib
+          spack -d bootstrap now --dev
           spack unit-test -k 'not cvs and not svn and not hg' -x --verbose
   # Test for the clingo based solver (using clingo-cffi)
   clingo-cffi:
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap.py
deleted file mode 100644
index c4cd1b1dd7..0000000000
--- a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,1066 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
-# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
-#
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
-from __future__ import print_function
-
-import contextlib
-import copy
-import fnmatch
-import functools
-import json
-import os
-import os.path
-import platform
-import re
-import sys
-import sysconfig
-import uuid
-from typing import List
-
-import archspec.cpu
-
-import llnl.util.filesystem as fs
-import llnl.util.tty as tty
-from llnl.util.lang import GroupedExceptionHandler
-
-import spack.binary_distribution
-import spack.config
-import spack.detection
-import spack.environment
-import spack.modules
-import spack.paths
-import spack.platforms
-import spack.repo
-import spack.spec
-import spack.store
-import spack.user_environment
-import spack.util.environment
-import spack.util.executable
-import spack.util.path
-import spack.util.spack_yaml
-import spack.util.url
-import spack.version
-
-#: Name of the file containing metadata about the bootstrapping source
-METADATA_YAML_FILENAME = "metadata.yaml"
-
-is_windows = sys.platform == "win32"
-
-#: Map a bootstrapper type to the corresponding class
-_bootstrap_methods = {}
-
-
-def _bootstrapper(type):
-    """Decorator to register classes implementing bootstrapping
-    methods.
-
-    Args:
-        type (str): string identifying the class
-    """
-
-    def _register(cls):
-        _bootstrap_methods[type] = cls
-        return cls
-
-    return _register
-
-
-def _try_import_from_store(module, query_spec, query_info=None):
-    """Return True if the module can be imported from an already
-    installed spec, False otherwise.
-
-    Args:
-        module: Python module to be imported
-        query_spec: spec that may provide the module
-        query_info (dict or None): if a dict is passed it is populated with the
-            command found and the concrete spec providing it
-    """
-    # If it is a string assume it's one of the root specs by this module
-    if isinstance(query_spec, str):
-        # We have to run as part of this python interpreter
-        query_spec += " ^" + spec_for_current_python()
-
-    installed_specs = spack.store.db.query(query_spec, installed=True)
-
-    for candidate_spec in installed_specs:
-        pkg = candidate_spec["python"].package
-        module_paths: List[str] = [
-            os.path.join(candidate_spec.prefix, pkg.purelib),
-            os.path.join(candidate_spec.prefix, pkg.platlib),
-        ]
-        path_before = list(sys.path)
-
-        # NOTE: try module_paths first and last, last allows an existing version in path
-        # to be picked up and used, possibly depending on something in the store, first
-        # allows the bootstrap version to work when an incompatible version is in
-        # sys.path
-        orders = [
-            module_paths + sys.path,
-            sys.path + module_paths,
-        ]
-        for path in orders:
-            sys.path = path
-            try:
-                _fix_ext_suffix(candidate_spec)
-                if _python_import(module):
-                    msg = (
-                        '[BOOTSTRAP MODULE {0}] The installed spec "{1}/{2}" '
-                        'provides the "{0}" Python module'
-                    ).format(module, query_spec, candidate_spec.dag_hash())
-                    tty.debug(msg)
-                    if query_info is not None:
-                        query_info["spec"] = candidate_spec
-                    return True
-            except Exception as e:
-                msg = (
-                    "unexpected error while trying to import module "
-                    '"{0}" from spec "{1}" [error="{2}"]'
-                )
-                tty.warn(msg.format(module, candidate_spec, str(e)))
-            else:
-                msg = "Spec {0} did not provide module {1}"
-                tty.warn(msg.format(candidate_spec, module))
-
-        sys.path = path_before
-
-    return False
-
-
-def _fix_ext_suffix(candidate_spec):
-    """Fix the external suffixes of Python extensions on the fly for
-    platforms that may need it
-
-    Args:
-        candidate_spec (Spec): installed spec with a Python module
-            to be checked.
-    """
-    # Here we map target families to the patterns expected
-    # by pristine CPython. Only architectures with known issues
-    # are included. Known issues:
-    #
-    # [RHEL + ppc64le]: https://github.com/spack/spack/issues/25734
-    #
-    _suffix_to_be_checked = {
-        "ppc64le": {
-            "glob": "*.cpython-*-powerpc64le-linux-gnu.so",
-            "re": r".cpython-[\w]*-powerpc64le-linux-gnu.so",
-            "fmt": r"{module}.cpython-{major}{minor}m-powerpc64le-linux-gnu.so",
-        }
-    }
-
-    # If the current architecture is not problematic return
-    generic_target = archspec.cpu.host().family
-    if str(generic_target) not in _suffix_to_be_checked:
-        return
-
-    # If there's no EXT_SUFFIX (Python < 3.5) or the suffix matches
-    # the expectations, return since the package is surely good
-    ext_suffix = sysconfig.get_config_var("EXT_SUFFIX")
-    if ext_suffix is None:
-        return
-
-    expected = _suffix_to_be_checked[str(generic_target)]
-    if fnmatch.fnmatch(ext_suffix, expected["glob"]):
-        return
-
-    # If we are here it means the current interpreter expects different names
-    # than pristine CPython. So:
-    # 1. Find what we have installed
-    # 2. Create symbolic links for the other names, it they're not there already
-
-    # Check if standard names are installed and if we have to create
-    # link for this interpreter
-    standard_extensions = fs.find(candidate_spec.prefix, expected["glob"])
-    link_names = [re.sub(expected["re"], ext_suffix, s) for s in standard_extensions]
-    for file_name, link_name in zip(standard_extensions, link_names):
-        if os.path.exists(link_name):
-            continue
-        os.symlink(file_name, link_name)
-
-    # Check if this interpreter installed something and we have to create
-    # links for a standard CPython interpreter
-    non_standard_extensions = fs.find(candidate_spec.prefix, "*" + ext_suffix)
-    for abs_path in non_standard_extensions:
-        directory, filename = os.path.split(abs_path)
-        module = filename.split(".")[0]
-        link_name = os.path.join(
-            directory,
-            expected["fmt"].format(
-                module=module, major=sys.version_info[0], minor=sys.version_info[1]
-            ),
-        )
-        if os.path.exists(link_name):
-            continue
-        os.symlink(abs_path, link_name)
-
-
-def _executables_in_store(executables, query_spec, query_info=None):
-    """Return True if at least one of the executables can be retrieved from
-    a spec in store, False otherwise.
-
-    The different executables must provide the same functionality and are
-    "alternate" to each other, i.e. the function will exit True on the first
-    executable found.
-
-    Args:
-        executables: list of executables to be searched
-        query_spec: spec that may provide the executable
-        query_info (dict or None): if a dict is passed it is populated with the
-            command found and the concrete spec providing it
-    """
-    executables_str = ", ".join(executables)
-    msg = "[BOOTSTRAP EXECUTABLES {0}] Try installed specs with query '{1}'"
-    tty.debug(msg.format(executables_str, query_spec))
-    installed_specs = spack.store.db.query(query_spec, installed=True)
-    if installed_specs:
-        for concrete_spec in installed_specs:
-            bin_dir = concrete_spec.prefix.bin
-            # IF we have a "bin" directory and it contains
-            # the executables we are looking for
-            if (
-                os.path.exists(bin_dir)
-                and os.path.isdir(bin_dir)
-                and spack.util.executable.which_string(*executables, path=bin_dir)
-            ):
-                spack.util.environment.path_put_first("PATH", [bin_dir])
-                if query_info is not None:
-                    query_info["command"] = spack.util.executable.which(*executables, path=bin_dir)
-                    query_info["spec"] = concrete_spec
-                return True
-    return False
-
-
-class _BootstrapperBase(object):
-    """Base class to derive types that can bootstrap software for Spack"""
-
-    config_scope_name = ""
-
-    def __init__(self, conf):
-        self.name = conf["name"]
-        self.url = conf["info"]["url"]
-
-    @property
-    def mirror_url(self):
-        # Absolute paths
-        if os.path.isabs(self.url):
-            return spack.util.url.format(self.url)
-
-        # Check for :// and assume it's an url if we find it
-        if "://" in self.url:
-            return self.url
-
-        # Otherwise, it's a relative path
-        return spack.util.url.format(os.path.join(self.metadata_dir, self.url))
-
-    @property
-    def mirror_scope(self):
-        return spack.config.InternalConfigScope(
-            self.config_scope_name, {"mirrors:": {self.name: self.mirror_url}}
-        )
-
-
-@_bootstrapper(type="buildcache")
-class _BuildcacheBootstrapper(_BootstrapperBase):
-    """Install the software needed during bootstrapping from a buildcache."""
-
-    def __init__(self, conf):
-        super(_BuildcacheBootstrapper, self).__init__(conf)
-        self.metadata_dir = spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(conf["metadata"])
-        self.last_search = None
-        self.config_scope_name = "bootstrap_buildcache-{}".format(uuid.uuid4())
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def _spec_and_platform(abstract_spec_str):
-        """Return the spec object and platform we need to use when
-        querying the buildcache.
-
-        Args:
-            abstract_spec_str: abstract spec string we are looking for
-        """
-        # This import is local since it is needed only on Cray
-        import spack.platforms.linux
-
-        # Try to install from an unsigned binary cache
-        abstract_spec = spack.spec.Spec(abstract_spec_str)
-        # On Cray we want to use Linux binaries if available from mirrors
-        bincache_platform = spack.platforms.real_host()
-        return abstract_spec, bincache_platform
-
-    def _read_metadata(self, package_name):
-        """Return metadata about the given package."""
-        json_filename = "{0}.json".format(package_name)
-        json_dir = self.metadata_dir
-        json_path = os.path.join(json_dir, json_filename)
-        with open(json_path) as f:
-            data = json.load(f)
-        return data
-
-    def _install_by_hash(self, pkg_hash, pkg_sha256, index, bincache_platform):
-        index_spec = next(x for x in index if x.dag_hash() == pkg_hash)
-        # Reconstruct the compiler that we need to use for bootstrapping
-        compiler_entry = {
-            "modules": [],
-            "operating_system": str(index_spec.os),
-            "paths": {
-                "cc": "/dev/null",
-                "cxx": "/dev/null",
-                "f77": "/dev/null",
-                "fc": "/dev/null",
-            },
-            "spec": str(index_spec.compiler),
-            "target": str(index_spec.target.family),
-        }
-        with spack.platforms.use_platform(bincache_platform):
-            with spack.config.override("compilers", [{"compiler": compiler_entry}]):
-                spec_str = "/" + pkg_hash
-                query = spack.binary_distribution.BinaryCacheQuery(all_architectures=True)
-                matches = spack.store.find([spec_str], multiple=False, query_fn=query)
-                for match in matches:
-                    spack.binary_distribution.install_root_node(
-                        match, allow_root=True, unsigned=True, force=True, sha256=pkg_sha256
-                    )
-
-    def _install_and_test(self, abstract_spec, bincache_platform, bincache_data, test_fn):
-        # Ensure we see only the buildcache being used to bootstrap
-        with spack.config.override(self.mirror_scope):
-            # This index is currently needed to get the compiler used to build some
-            # specs that we know by dag hash.
-            spack.binary_distribution.binary_index.regenerate_spec_cache()
-            index = spack.binary_distribution.update_cache_and_get_specs()
-
-            if not index:
-                raise RuntimeError("The binary index is empty")
-
-            for item in bincache_data["verified"]:
-                candidate_spec = item["spec"]
-                # This will be None for things that don't depend on python
-                python_spec = item.get("python", None)
-                # Skip specs which are not compatible
-                if not abstract_spec.satisfies(candidate_spec):
-                    continue
-
-                if python_spec is not None and python_spec not in abstract_spec:
-                    continue
-
-                for pkg_name, pkg_hash, pkg_sha256 in item["binaries"]:
-                    # TODO: undo installations that didn't complete?
-                    self._install_by_hash(pkg_hash, pkg_sha256, index, bincache_platform)
-
-                info = {}
-                if test_fn(query_spec=abstract_spec, query_info=info):
-                    self.last_search = info
-                    return True
-        return False
-
-    def try_import(self, module, abstract_spec_str):
-        test_fn, info = functools.partial(_try_import_from_store, module), {}
-        if test_fn(query_spec=abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
-            return True
-
-        tty.info("Bootstrapping {0} from pre-built binaries".format(module))
-        abstract_spec, bincache_platform = self._spec_and_platform(
-            abstract_spec_str + " ^" + spec_for_current_python()
-        )
-        data = self._read_metadata(module)
-        return self._install_and_test(abstract_spec, bincache_platform, data, test_fn)
-
-    def try_search_path(self, executables, abstract_spec_str):
-        test_fn, info = functools.partial(_executables_in_store, executables), {}
-        if test_fn(query_spec=abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
-            self.last_search = info
-            return True
-
-        abstract_spec, bincache_platform = self._spec_and_platform(abstract_spec_str)
-        tty.info("Bootstrapping {0} from pre-built binaries".format(abstract_spec.name))
-        data = self._read_metadata(abstract_spec.name)
-        return self._install_and_test(abstract_spec, bincache_platform, data, test_fn)
-
-
-@_bootstrapper(type="install")
-class _SourceBootstrapper(_BootstrapperBase):
-    """Install the software needed during bootstrapping from sources."""
-
-    def __init__(self, conf):
-        super(_SourceBootstrapper, self).__init__(conf)
-        self.metadata_dir = spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(conf["metadata"])
-        self.conf = conf
-        self.last_search = None
-        self.config_scope_name = "bootstrap_source-{}".format(uuid.uuid4())
-
-    def try_import(self, module, abstract_spec_str):
-        info = {}
-        if _try_import_from_store(module, abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
-            self.last_search = info
-            return True
-
-        tty.info("Bootstrapping {0} from sources".format(module))
-
-        # If we compile code from sources detecting a few build tools
-        # might reduce compilation time by a fair amount
-        _add_externals_if_missing()
-
-        # Try to build and install from sources
-        with spack_python_interpreter():
-            # Add hint to use frontend operating system on Cray
-            concrete_spec = spack.spec.Spec(abstract_spec_str + " ^" + spec_for_current_python())
-
-            if module == "clingo":
-                # TODO: remove when the old concretizer is deprecated
-                concrete_spec._old_concretize(deprecation_warning=False)
-            else:
-                concrete_spec.concretize()
-
-        msg = "[BOOTSTRAP MODULE {0}] Try installing '{1}' from sources"
-        tty.debug(msg.format(module, abstract_spec_str))
-
-        # Install the spec that should make the module importable
-        with spack.config.override(self.mirror_scope):
-            concrete_spec.package.do_install(fail_fast=True)
-
-        if _try_import_from_store(module, query_spec=concrete_spec, query_info=info):
-            self.last_search = info
-            return True
-        return False
-
-    def try_search_path(self, executables, abstract_spec_str):
-        info = {}
-        if _executables_in_store(executables, abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
-            self.last_search = info
-            return True
-
-        tty.info("Bootstrapping {0} from sources".format(abstract_spec_str))
-
-        # If we compile code from sources detecting a few build tools
-        # might reduce compilation time by a fair amount
-        _add_externals_if_missing()
-
-        concrete_spec = spack.spec.Spec(abstract_spec_str)
-        if concrete_spec.name == "patchelf":
-            concrete_spec._old_concretize(deprecation_warning=False)
-        else:
-            concrete_spec.concretize()
-
-        msg = "[BOOTSTRAP] Try installing '{0}' from sources"
-        tty.debug(msg.format(abstract_spec_str))
-        with spack.config.override(self.mirror_scope):
-            concrete_spec.package.do_install()
-        if _executables_in_store(executables, concrete_spec, query_info=info):
-            self.last_search = info
-            return True
-        return False
-
-
-def _make_bootstrapper(conf):
-    """Return a bootstrap object built according to the
-    configuration argument
-    """
-    btype = conf["type"]
-    return _bootstrap_methods[btype](conf)
-
-
-def source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf):
-    """Raise ValueError if the source is not enabled for bootstrapping"""
-    trusted, name = spack.config.get("bootstrap:trusted"), conf["name"]
-    if not trusted.get(name, False):
-        raise ValueError("source is not trusted")
-
-
-def spec_for_current_python():
-    """For bootstrapping purposes we are just interested in the Python
-    minor version (all patches are ABI compatible with the same minor).
-
-    See:
-      https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0513/
-      https://stackoverflow.com/a/35801395/771663
-    """
-    version_str = ".".join(str(x) for x in sys.version_info[:2])
-    return "python@{0}".format(version_str)
-
-
-@contextlib.contextmanager
-def spack_python_interpreter():
-    """Override the current configuration to set the interpreter under
-    which Spack is currently running as the only Python external spec
-    available.
-    """
-    python_prefix = sys.exec_prefix
-    external_python = spec_for_current_python()
-
-    entry = {
-        "buildable": False,
-        "externals": [{"prefix": python_prefix, "spec": str(external_python)}],
-    }
-
-    with spack.config.override("packages:python::", entry):
-        yield
-
-
-def ensure_module_importable_or_raise(module, abstract_spec=None):
-    """Make the requested module available for import, or raise.
-
-    This function tries to import a Python module in the current interpreter
-    using, in order, the methods configured in bootstrap.yaml.
-
-    If none of the methods succeed, an exception is raised. The function exits
-    on first success.
-
-    Args:
-        module (str): module to be imported in the current interpreter
-        abstract_spec (str): abstract spec that might provide the module. If not
-            given it defaults to "module"
-
-    Raises:
-        ImportError: if the module couldn't be imported
-    """
-    # If we can import it already, that's great
-    tty.debug("[BOOTSTRAP MODULE {0}] Try importing from Python".format(module))
-    if _python_import(module):
-        return
-
-    abstract_spec = abstract_spec or module
-
-    h = GroupedExceptionHandler()
-
-    for current_config in bootstrapping_sources():
-        with h.forward(current_config["name"]):
-            source_is_enabled_or_raise(current_config)
-
-            b = _make_bootstrapper(current_config)
-            if b.try_import(module, abstract_spec):
-                return
-
-    assert h, (
-        "expected at least one exception to have been raised at this point: "
-        "while bootstrapping {0}".format(module)
-    )
-    msg = 'cannot bootstrap the "{0}" Python module '.format(module)
-    if abstract_spec:
-        msg += 'from spec "{0}" '.format(abstract_spec)
-    if tty.is_debug():
-        msg += h.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=True)
-    else:
-        msg += h.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=False)
-        msg += "\nRun `spack --debug ...` for more detailed errors"
-    raise ImportError(msg)
-
-
-def ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(executables, abstract_spec, cmd_check=None):
-    """Ensure that some executables are in path or raise.
-
-    Args:
-        executables (list): list of executables to be searched in the PATH,
-            in order. The function exits on the first one found.
-        abstract_spec (str): abstract spec that provides the executables
-        cmd_check (object): callable predicate that takes a
-            ``spack.util.executable.Executable`` command and validate it. Should return
-            ``True`` if the executable is acceptable, ``False`` otherwise.
-            Can be used to, e.g., ensure a suitable version of the command before
-            accepting for bootstrapping.
-
-    Raises:
-        RuntimeError: if the executables cannot be ensured to be in PATH
-
-    Return:
-        Executable object
-
-    """
-    cmd = spack.util.executable.which(*executables)
-    if cmd:
-        if not cmd_check or cmd_check(cmd):
-            return cmd
-
-    executables_str = ", ".join(executables)
-
-    h = GroupedExceptionHandler()
-
-    for current_config in bootstrapping_sources():
-        with h.forward(current_config["name"]):
-            source_is_enabled_or_raise(current_config)
-
-            b = _make_bootstrapper(current_config)
-            if b.try_search_path(executables, abstract_spec):
-                # Additional environment variables needed
-                concrete_spec, cmd = b.last_search["spec"], b.last_search["command"]
-                env_mods = spack.util.environment.EnvironmentModifications()
-                for dep in concrete_spec.traverse(
-                    root=True, order="post", deptype=("link", "run")
-                ):
-                    env_mods.extend(
-                        spack.user_environment.environment_modifications_for_spec(
-                            dep, set_package_py_globals=False
-                        )
-                    )
-                cmd.add_default_envmod(env_mods)
-                return cmd
-
-    assert h, (
-        "expected at least one exception to have been raised at this point: "
-        "while bootstrapping {0}".format(executables_str)
-    )
-    msg = "cannot bootstrap any of the {0} executables ".format(executables_str)
-    if abstract_spec:
-        msg += 'from spec "{0}" '.format(abstract_spec)
-    if tty.is_debug():
-        msg += h.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=True)
-    else:
-        msg += h.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=False)
-        msg += "\nRun `spack --debug ...` for more detailed errors"
-    raise RuntimeError(msg)
-
-
-def _python_import(module):
-    try:
-        __import__(module)
-    except ImportError:
-        return False
-    return True
-
-
-def _bootstrap_config_scopes():
-    tty.debug("[BOOTSTRAP CONFIG SCOPE] name=_builtin")
-    config_scopes = [spack.config.InternalConfigScope("_builtin", spack.config.config_defaults)]
-    configuration_paths = (spack.config.configuration_defaults_path, ("bootstrap", _config_path()))
-    for name, path in configuration_paths:
-        platform = spack.platforms.host().name
-        platform_scope = spack.config.ConfigScope(
-            "/".join([name, platform]), os.path.join(path, platform)
-        )
-        generic_scope = spack.config.ConfigScope(name, path)
-        config_scopes.extend([generic_scope, platform_scope])
-        msg = "[BOOTSTRAP CONFIG SCOPE] name={0}, path={1}"
-        tty.debug(msg.format(generic_scope.name, generic_scope.path))
-        tty.debug(msg.format(platform_scope.name, platform_scope.path))
-    return config_scopes
-
-
-def _add_compilers_if_missing():
-    arch = spack.spec.ArchSpec.frontend_arch()
-    if not spack.compilers.compilers_for_arch(arch):
-        new_compilers = spack.compilers.find_new_compilers()
-        if new_compilers:
-            spack.compilers.add_compilers_to_config(new_compilers, init_config=False)
-
-
-def _add_externals_if_missing():
-    search_list = [
-        # clingo
-        spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("cmake"),
-        spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("bison"),
-        # GnuPG
-        spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("gawk"),
-    ]
-    if is_windows:
-        search_list.append(spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("winbison"))
-    detected_packages = spack.detection.by_executable(search_list)
-    spack.detection.update_configuration(detected_packages, scope="bootstrap")
-
-
-#: Reference counter for the bootstrapping configuration context manager
-_REF_COUNT = 0
-
-
-def is_bootstrapping():
-    global _REF_COUNT
-    return _REF_COUNT > 0
-
-
-@contextlib.contextmanager
-def ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-    # The context manager is reference counted to ensure we don't swap multiple
-    # times if there's nested use of it in the stack. One compelling use case
-    # is bootstrapping patchelf during the bootstrap of clingo.
-    global _REF_COUNT
-    already_swapped = bool(_REF_COUNT)
-    _REF_COUNT += 1
-    try:
-        if already_swapped:
-            yield
-        else:
-            with _ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-                yield
-    finally:
-        _REF_COUNT -= 1
-
-
-@contextlib.contextmanager
-def _ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-    bootstrap_store_path = store_path()
-    user_configuration = _read_and_sanitize_configuration()
-    with spack.environment.no_active_environment():
-        with spack.platforms.prevent_cray_detection():
-            with spack.platforms.use_platform(spack.platforms.real_host()):
-                with spack.repo.use_repositories(spack.paths.packages_path):
-                    with spack.store.use_store(bootstrap_store_path):
-                        # Default configuration scopes excluding command line
-                        # and builtin but accounting for platform specific scopes
-                        config_scopes = _bootstrap_config_scopes()
-                        with spack.config.use_configuration(*config_scopes):
-                            # We may need to compile code from sources, so ensure we
-                            # have compilers for the current platform
-                            _add_compilers_if_missing()
-                            spack.config.set("bootstrap", user_configuration["bootstrap"])
-                            spack.config.set("config", user_configuration["config"])
-                            with spack.modules.disable_modules():
-                                with spack_python_interpreter():
-                                    yield
-
-
-def _read_and_sanitize_configuration():
-    """Read the user configuration that needs to be reused for bootstrapping
-    and remove the entries that should not be copied over.
-    """
-    # Read the "config" section but pop the install tree (the entry will not be
-    # considered due to the use_store context manager, so it will be confusing
-    # to have it in the configuration).
-    config_yaml = spack.config.get("config")
-    config_yaml.pop("install_tree", None)
-    user_configuration = {"bootstrap": spack.config.get("bootstrap"), "config": config_yaml}
-    return user_configuration
-
-
-def store_path():
-    """Path to the store used for bootstrapped software"""
-    enabled = spack.config.get("bootstrap:enable", True)
-    if not enabled:
-        msg = "bootstrapping is currently disabled. " 'Use "spack bootstrap enable" to enable it'
-        raise RuntimeError(msg)
-
-    return _store_path()
-
-
-def _root_path():
-    """Root of all the bootstrap related folders"""
-    return spack.config.get("bootstrap:root", spack.paths.default_user_bootstrap_path)
-
-
-def _store_path():
-    bootstrap_root_path = _root_path()
-    return spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(os.path.join(bootstrap_root_path, "store"))
-
-
-def _config_path():
-    bootstrap_root_path = _root_path()
-    return spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(os.path.join(bootstrap_root_path, "config"))
-
-
-def _root_spec(spec_str):
-    """Add a proper compiler and target to a spec used during bootstrapping.
-
-    Args:
-        spec_str (str): spec to be bootstrapped. Must be without compiler and target.
-    """
-    # Add a proper compiler hint to the root spec. We use GCC for
-    # everything but MacOS and Windows.
-    if str(spack.platforms.host()) == "darwin":
-        spec_str += " %apple-clang"
-    elif str(spack.platforms.host()) == "windows":
-        spec_str += " %msvc"
-    else:
-        spec_str += " %gcc"
-
-    target = archspec.cpu.host().family
-    spec_str += " target={0}".format(target)
-
-    tty.debug("[BOOTSTRAP ROOT SPEC] {0}".format(spec_str))
-    return spec_str
-
-
-def clingo_root_spec():
-    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap clingo"""
-    return _root_spec("clingo-bootstrap@spack+python")
-
-
-def ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise():
-    """Ensure that the clingo module is available for import."""
-    ensure_module_importable_or_raise(module="clingo", abstract_spec=clingo_root_spec())
-
-
-def gnupg_root_spec():
-    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap GnuPG"""
-    return _root_spec("gnupg@2.3:")
-
-
-def ensure_gpg_in_path_or_raise():
-    """Ensure gpg or gpg2 are in the PATH or raise."""
-    return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(
-        executables=["gpg2", "gpg"], abstract_spec=gnupg_root_spec()
-    )
-
-
-def patchelf_root_spec():
-    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap patchelf"""
-    # 0.13.1 is the last version not to require C++17.
-    return _root_spec("patchelf@0.13.1:")
-
-
-def verify_patchelf(patchelf):
-    """Older patchelf versions can produce broken binaries, so we
-    verify the version here.
-
-    Arguments:
-
-        patchelf (spack.util.executable.Executable): patchelf executable
-    """
-    out = patchelf("--version", output=str, error=os.devnull, fail_on_error=False).strip()
-    if patchelf.returncode != 0:
-        return False
-    parts = out.split(" ")
-    if len(parts) < 2:
-        return False
-    try:
-        version = spack.version.Version(parts[1])
-    except ValueError:
-        return False
-    return version >= spack.version.Version("0.13.1")
-
-
-def ensure_patchelf_in_path_or_raise():
-    """Ensure patchelf is in the PATH or raise."""
-    # The old concretizer is not smart and we're doing its job: if the latest patchelf
-    # does not concretize because the compiler doesn't support C++17, we try to
-    # concretize again with an upperbound @:13.
-    try:
-        return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(
-            executables=["patchelf"], abstract_spec=patchelf_root_spec(), cmd_check=verify_patchelf
-        )
-    except RuntimeError:
-        return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(
-            executables=["patchelf"],
-            abstract_spec=_root_spec("patchelf@0.13.1:0.13"),
-            cmd_check=verify_patchelf,
-        )
-
-
-###
-# Development dependencies
-###
-
-
-def isort_root_spec():
-    return _root_spec("py-isort@4.3.5:")
-
-
-def ensure_isort_in_path_or_raise():
-    """Ensure that isort is in the PATH or raise."""
-    executable, root_spec = "isort", isort_root_spec()
-    return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise([executable], abstract_spec=root_spec)
-
-
-def mypy_root_spec():
-    return _root_spec("py-mypy@0.900:")
-
-
-def ensure_mypy_in_path_or_raise():
-    """Ensure that mypy is in the PATH or raise."""
-    executable, root_spec = "mypy", mypy_root_spec()
-    return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise([executable], abstract_spec=root_spec)
-
-
-def black_root_spec():
-    return _root_spec("py-black")
-
-
-def ensure_black_in_path_or_raise():
-    """Ensure that black is in the PATH or raise."""
-    root_spec = black_root_spec()
-
-    def check_black(black_cmd):
-        """Ensure sutable black version."""
-        try:
-            output = black_cmd("--version", output=str)
-        except Exception as e:
-            tty.debug("Error getting version of %s: %s" % (black_cmd, e))
-            return False
-
-        match = re.match("black, ([^ ]+)", output)
-        if not match:
-            return False
-
-        black_version = spack.version.Version(match.group(1))
-        return black_version.satisfies(spack.spec.Spec(root_spec).versions)
-
-    return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(["black"], root_spec, check_black)
-
-
-def flake8_root_spec():
-    return _root_spec("py-flake8")
-
-
-def ensure_flake8_in_path_or_raise():
-    """Ensure that flake8 is in the PATH or raise."""
-    executable, root_spec = "flake8", flake8_root_spec()
-    return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise([executable], abstract_spec=root_spec)
-
-
-def all_root_specs(development=False):
-    """Return a list of all the root specs that may be used to bootstrap Spack.
-
-    Args:
-        development (bool): if True include dev dependencies
-    """
-    specs = [clingo_root_spec(), gnupg_root_spec(), patchelf_root_spec()]
-    if development:
-        specs += [isort_root_spec(), mypy_root_spec(), black_root_spec(), flake8_root_spec()]
-    return specs
-
-
-def _missing(name, purpose, system_only=True):
-    """Message to be printed if an executable is not found"""
-    msg = '[{2}] MISSING "{0}": {1}'
-    if not system_only:
-        return msg.format(name, purpose, "@*y{{B}}")
-    return msg.format(name, purpose, "@*y{{-}}")
-
-
-def _required_system_executable(exes, msg):
-    """Search for an executable is the system path only."""
-    if isinstance(exes, str):
-        exes = (exes,)
-    if spack.util.executable.which_string(*exes):
-        return True, None
-    return False, msg
-
-
-def _required_python_module(module, query_spec, msg):
-    """Check if a Python module is available in the current interpreter or
-    if it can be loaded from the bootstrap store
-    """
-    if _python_import(module) or _try_import_from_store(module, query_spec):
-        return True, None
-    return False, msg
-
-
-def _required_executable(exes, query_spec, msg):
-    """Search for an executable in the system path or in the bootstrap store."""
-    if isinstance(exes, str):
-        exes = (exes,)
-    if spack.util.executable.which_string(*exes) or _executables_in_store(exes, query_spec):
-        return True, None
-    return False, msg
-
-
-def _core_requirements():
-    _core_system_exes = {
-        "make": _missing("make", "required to build software from sources"),
-        "patch": _missing("patch", "required to patch source code before building"),
-        "bash": _missing("bash", "required for Spack compiler wrapper"),
-        "tar": _missing("tar", "required to manage code archives"),
-        "gzip": _missing("gzip", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
-        "unzip": _missing("unzip", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
-        "bzip2": _missing("bzip2", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
-        "git": _missing("git", "required to fetch/manage git repositories"),
-    }
-    if platform.system().lower() == "linux":
-        _core_system_exes["xz"] = _missing("xz", "required to compress/decompress code archives")
-
-    # Executables that are not bootstrapped yet
-    result = [_required_system_executable(exe, msg) for exe, msg in _core_system_exes.items()]
-    # Python modules
-    result.append(
-        _required_python_module(
-            "clingo", clingo_root_spec(), _missing("clingo", "required to concretize specs", False)
-        )
-    )
-    return result
-
-
-def _buildcache_requirements():
-    _buildcache_exes = {
-        "file": _missing("file", "required to analyze files for buildcaches"),
-        ("gpg2", "gpg"): _missing("gpg2", "required to sign/verify buildcaches", False),
-    }
-    if platform.system().lower() == "darwin":
-        _buildcache_exes["otool"] = _missing("otool", "required to relocate binaries")
-
-    # Executables that are not bootstrapped yet
-    result = [_required_system_executable(exe, msg) for exe, msg in _buildcache_exes.items()]
-
-    if platform.system().lower() == "linux":
-        result.append(
-            _required_executable(
-                "patchelf",
-                patchelf_root_spec(),
-                _missing("patchelf", "required to relocate binaries", False),
-            )
-        )
-
-    return result
-
-
-def _optional_requirements():
-    _optional_exes = {
-        "zstd": _missing("zstd", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
-        "svn": _missing("svn", "required to manage subversion repositories"),
-        "hg": _missing("hg", "required to manage mercurial repositories"),
-    }
-    # Executables that are not bootstrapped yet
-    result = [_required_system_executable(exe, msg) for exe, msg in _optional_exes.items()]
-    return result
-
-
-def _development_requirements():
-    return [
-        _required_executable(
-            "isort", isort_root_spec(), _missing("isort", "required for style checks", False)
-        ),
-        _required_executable(
-            "mypy", mypy_root_spec(), _missing("mypy", "required for style checks", False)
-        ),
-        _required_executable(
-            "flake8", flake8_root_spec(), _missing("flake8", "required for style checks", False)
-        ),
-        _required_executable(
-            "black", black_root_spec(), _missing("black", "required for code formatting", False)
-        ),
-    ]
-
-
-def status_message(section):
-    """Return a status message to be printed to screen that refers to the
-    section passed as argument and a bool which is True if there are missing
-    dependencies.
-
-    Args:
-        section (str): either 'core' or 'buildcache' or 'optional' or 'develop'
-    """
-    pass_token, fail_token = "@*g{[PASS]}", "@*r{[FAIL]}"
-
-    # Contain the header of the section and a list of requirements
-    spack_sections = {
-        "core": ("{0} @*{{Core Functionalities}}", _core_requirements),
-        "buildcache": ("{0} @*{{Binary packages}}", _buildcache_requirements),
-        "optional": ("{0} @*{{Optional Features}}", _optional_requirements),
-        "develop": ("{0} @*{{Development Dependencies}}", _development_requirements),
-    }
-    msg, required_software = spack_sections[section]
-
-    with ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-        missing_software = False
-        for found, err_msg in required_software():
-            if not found:
-                missing_software = True
-                msg += "\n  " + err_msg
-        msg += "\n"
-        msg = msg.format(pass_token if not missing_software else fail_token)
-    return msg, missing_software
-
-
-def bootstrapping_sources(scope=None):
-    """Return the list of configured sources of software for bootstrapping Spack
-
-    Args:
-        scope (str or None): if a valid configuration scope is given, return the
-            list only from that scope
-    """
-    source_configs = spack.config.get("bootstrap:sources", default=None, scope=scope)
-    source_configs = source_configs or []
-    list_of_sources = []
-    for entry in source_configs:
-        current = copy.copy(entry)
-        metadata_dir = spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(entry["metadata"])
-        metadata_yaml = os.path.join(metadata_dir, METADATA_YAML_FILENAME)
-        with open(metadata_yaml) as f:
-            current.update(spack.util.spack_yaml.load(f))
-        list_of_sources.append(current)
-    return list_of_sources
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/__init__.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8e3737657c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+"""Function and classes needed to bootstrap Spack itself."""
+
+from .config import ensure_bootstrap_configuration, is_bootstrapping
+from .core import (
+    all_core_root_specs,
+    ensure_core_dependencies,
+    ensure_patchelf_in_path_or_raise,
+)
+from .environment import BootstrapEnvironment, ensure_environment_dependencies
+from .status import status_message
+
+__all__ = [
+    "is_bootstrapping",
+    "ensure_bootstrap_configuration",
+    "ensure_core_dependencies",
+    "ensure_patchelf_in_path_or_raise",
+    "all_core_root_specs",
+    "ensure_environment_dependencies",
+    "BootstrapEnvironment",
+    "status_message",
+]
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/_common.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/_common.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0798c5a0b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/_common.py
@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+"""Common basic functions used through the spack.bootstrap package"""
+import fnmatch
+import os.path
+import re
+import sys
+import sysconfig
+import warnings
+
+import archspec.cpu
+
+import llnl.util.filesystem as fs
+from llnl.util import tty
+
+import spack.store
+import spack.util.environment
+import spack.util.executable
+
+from .config import spec_for_current_python
+
+
+def _python_import(module):
+    try:
+        __import__(module)
+    except ImportError:
+        return False
+    return True
+
+
+def _try_import_from_store(module, query_spec, query_info=None):
+    """Return True if the module can be imported from an already
+    installed spec, False otherwise.
+
+    Args:
+        module: Python module to be imported
+        query_spec: spec that may provide the module
+        query_info (dict or None): if a dict is passed it is populated with the
+            command found and the concrete spec providing it
+    """
+    # If it is a string assume it's one of the root specs by this module
+    if isinstance(query_spec, str):
+        # We have to run as part of this python interpreter
+        query_spec += " ^" + spec_for_current_python()
+
+    installed_specs = spack.store.db.query(query_spec, installed=True)
+
+    for candidate_spec in installed_specs:
+        pkg = candidate_spec["python"].package
+        module_paths = [
+            os.path.join(candidate_spec.prefix, pkg.purelib),
+            os.path.join(candidate_spec.prefix, pkg.platlib),
+        ]  # type: list[str]
+        path_before = list(sys.path)
+
+        # NOTE: try module_paths first and last, last allows an existing version in path
+        # to be picked up and used, possibly depending on something in the store, first
+        # allows the bootstrap version to work when an incompatible version is in
+        # sys.path
+        orders = [
+            module_paths + sys.path,
+            sys.path + module_paths,
+        ]
+        for path in orders:
+            sys.path = path
+            try:
+                _fix_ext_suffix(candidate_spec)
+                if _python_import(module):
+                    msg = (
+                        f"[BOOTSTRAP MODULE {module}] The installed spec "
+                        f'"{query_spec}/{candidate_spec.dag_hash()}" '
+                        f'provides the "{module}" Python module'
+                    )
+                    tty.debug(msg)
+                    if query_info is not None:
+                        query_info["spec"] = candidate_spec
+                    return True
+            except Exception as exc:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
+                msg = (
+                    "unexpected error while trying to import module "
+                    f'"{module}" from spec "{candidate_spec}" [error="{str(exc)}"]'
+                )
+                warnings.warn(msg)
+            else:
+                msg = "Spec {0} did not provide module {1}"
+                warnings.warn(msg.format(candidate_spec, module))
+
+        sys.path = path_before
+
+    return False
+
+
+def _fix_ext_suffix(candidate_spec):
+    """Fix the external suffixes of Python extensions on the fly for
+    platforms that may need it
+
+    Args:
+        candidate_spec (Spec): installed spec with a Python module
+            to be checked.
+    """
+    # Here we map target families to the patterns expected
+    # by pristine CPython. Only architectures with known issues
+    # are included. Known issues:
+    #
+    # [RHEL + ppc64le]: https://github.com/spack/spack/issues/25734
+    #
+    _suffix_to_be_checked = {
+        "ppc64le": {
+            "glob": "*.cpython-*-powerpc64le-linux-gnu.so",
+            "re": r".cpython-[\w]*-powerpc64le-linux-gnu.so",
+            "fmt": r"{module}.cpython-{major}{minor}m-powerpc64le-linux-gnu.so",
+        }
+    }
+
+    # If the current architecture is not problematic return
+    generic_target = archspec.cpu.host().family
+    if str(generic_target) not in _suffix_to_be_checked:
+        return
+
+    # If there's no EXT_SUFFIX (Python < 3.5) or the suffix matches
+    # the expectations, return since the package is surely good
+    ext_suffix = sysconfig.get_config_var("EXT_SUFFIX")
+    if ext_suffix is None:
+        return
+
+    expected = _suffix_to_be_checked[str(generic_target)]
+    if fnmatch.fnmatch(ext_suffix, expected["glob"]):
+        return
+
+    # If we are here it means the current interpreter expects different names
+    # than pristine CPython. So:
+    # 1. Find what we have installed
+    # 2. Create symbolic links for the other names, it they're not there already
+
+    # Check if standard names are installed and if we have to create
+    # link for this interpreter
+    standard_extensions = fs.find(candidate_spec.prefix, expected["glob"])
+    link_names = [re.sub(expected["re"], ext_suffix, s) for s in standard_extensions]
+    for file_name, link_name in zip(standard_extensions, link_names):
+        if os.path.exists(link_name):
+            continue
+        os.symlink(file_name, link_name)
+
+    # Check if this interpreter installed something and we have to create
+    # links for a standard CPython interpreter
+    non_standard_extensions = fs.find(candidate_spec.prefix, "*" + ext_suffix)
+    for abs_path in non_standard_extensions:
+        directory, filename = os.path.split(abs_path)
+        module = filename.split(".")[0]
+        link_name = os.path.join(
+            directory,
+            expected["fmt"].format(
+                module=module, major=sys.version_info[0], minor=sys.version_info[1]
+            ),
+        )
+        if os.path.exists(link_name):
+            continue
+        os.symlink(abs_path, link_name)
+
+
+def _executables_in_store(executables, query_spec, query_info=None):
+    """Return True if at least one of the executables can be retrieved from
+    a spec in store, False otherwise.
+
+    The different executables must provide the same functionality and are
+    "alternate" to each other, i.e. the function will exit True on the first
+    executable found.
+
+    Args:
+        executables: list of executables to be searched
+        query_spec: spec that may provide the executable
+        query_info (dict or None): if a dict is passed it is populated with the
+            command found and the concrete spec providing it
+    """
+    executables_str = ", ".join(executables)
+    msg = "[BOOTSTRAP EXECUTABLES {0}] Try installed specs with query '{1}'"
+    tty.debug(msg.format(executables_str, query_spec))
+    installed_specs = spack.store.db.query(query_spec, installed=True)
+    if installed_specs:
+        for concrete_spec in installed_specs:
+            bin_dir = concrete_spec.prefix.bin
+            # IF we have a "bin" directory and it contains
+            # the executables we are looking for
+            if (
+                os.path.exists(bin_dir)
+                and os.path.isdir(bin_dir)
+                and spack.util.executable.which_string(*executables, path=bin_dir)
+            ):
+                spack.util.environment.path_put_first("PATH", [bin_dir])
+                if query_info is not None:
+                    query_info["command"] = spack.util.executable.which(*executables, path=bin_dir)
+                    query_info["spec"] = concrete_spec
+                return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _root_spec(spec_str):
+    """Add a proper compiler and target to a spec used during bootstrapping.
+
+    Args:
+        spec_str (str): spec to be bootstrapped. Must be without compiler and target.
+    """
+    # Add a proper compiler hint to the root spec. We use GCC for
+    # everything but MacOS and Windows.
+    if str(spack.platforms.host()) == "darwin":
+        spec_str += " %apple-clang"
+    elif str(spack.platforms.host()) == "windows":
+        spec_str += " %msvc"
+    else:
+        spec_str += " %gcc"
+
+    target = archspec.cpu.host().family
+    spec_str += f" target={target}"
+
+    tty.debug(f"[BOOTSTRAP ROOT SPEC] {spec_str}")
+    return spec_str
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8fdda20966
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+"""Manage configuration swapping for bootstrapping purposes"""
+
+import contextlib
+import os.path
+import sys
+
+from llnl.util import tty
+
+import spack.compilers
+import spack.config
+import spack.environment
+import spack.paths
+import spack.platforms
+import spack.repo
+import spack.spec
+import spack.store
+import spack.util.path
+
+#: Reference counter for the bootstrapping configuration context manager
+_REF_COUNT = 0
+
+
+def is_bootstrapping():
+    """Return True if we are in a bootstrapping context, False otherwise."""
+    return _REF_COUNT > 0
+
+
+def spec_for_current_python():
+    """For bootstrapping purposes we are just interested in the Python
+    minor version (all patches are ABI compatible with the same minor).
+
+    See:
+      https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0513/
+      https://stackoverflow.com/a/35801395/771663
+    """
+    version_str = ".".join(str(x) for x in sys.version_info[:2])
+    return f"python@{version_str}"
+
+
+def root_path():
+    """Root of all the bootstrap related folders"""
+    return spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(
+        spack.config.get("bootstrap:root", spack.paths.default_user_bootstrap_path)
+    )
+
+
+def store_path():
+    """Path to the store used for bootstrapped software"""
+    enabled = spack.config.get("bootstrap:enable", True)
+    if not enabled:
+        msg = 'bootstrapping is currently disabled. Use "spack bootstrap enable" to enable it'
+        raise RuntimeError(msg)
+
+    return _store_path()
+
+
+@contextlib.contextmanager
+def spack_python_interpreter():
+    """Override the current configuration to set the interpreter under
+    which Spack is currently running as the only Python external spec
+    available.
+    """
+    python_prefix = sys.exec_prefix
+    external_python = spec_for_current_python()
+
+    entry = {
+        "buildable": False,
+        "externals": [{"prefix": python_prefix, "spec": str(external_python)}],
+    }
+
+    with spack.config.override("packages:python::", entry):
+        yield
+
+
+def _store_path():
+    bootstrap_root_path = root_path()
+    return spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(os.path.join(bootstrap_root_path, "store"))
+
+
+def _config_path():
+    bootstrap_root_path = root_path()
+    return spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(os.path.join(bootstrap_root_path, "config"))
+
+
+@contextlib.contextmanager
+def ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
+    """Swap the current configuration for the one used to bootstrap Spack.
+
+    The context manager is reference counted to ensure we don't swap multiple
+    times if there's nested use of it in the stack. One compelling use case
+    is bootstrapping patchelf during the bootstrap of clingo.
+    """
+    global _REF_COUNT  # pylint: disable=global-statement
+    already_swapped = bool(_REF_COUNT)
+    _REF_COUNT += 1
+    try:
+        if already_swapped:
+            yield
+        else:
+            with _ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
+                yield
+    finally:
+        _REF_COUNT -= 1
+
+
+def _read_and_sanitize_configuration():
+    """Read the user configuration that needs to be reused for bootstrapping
+    and remove the entries that should not be copied over.
+    """
+    # Read the "config" section but pop the install tree (the entry will not be
+    # considered due to the use_store context manager, so it will be confusing
+    # to have it in the configuration).
+    config_yaml = spack.config.get("config")
+    config_yaml.pop("install_tree", None)
+    user_configuration = {"bootstrap": spack.config.get("bootstrap"), "config": config_yaml}
+    return user_configuration
+
+
+def _bootstrap_config_scopes():
+    tty.debug("[BOOTSTRAP CONFIG SCOPE] name=_builtin")
+    config_scopes = [spack.config.InternalConfigScope("_builtin", spack.config.config_defaults)]
+    configuration_paths = (spack.config.configuration_defaults_path, ("bootstrap", _config_path()))
+    for name, path in configuration_paths:
+        platform = spack.platforms.host().name
+        platform_scope = spack.config.ConfigScope(
+            "/".join([name, platform]), os.path.join(path, platform)
+        )
+        generic_scope = spack.config.ConfigScope(name, path)
+        config_scopes.extend([generic_scope, platform_scope])
+        msg = "[BOOTSTRAP CONFIG SCOPE] name={0}, path={1}"
+        tty.debug(msg.format(generic_scope.name, generic_scope.path))
+        tty.debug(msg.format(platform_scope.name, platform_scope.path))
+    return config_scopes
+
+
+def _add_compilers_if_missing():
+    arch = spack.spec.ArchSpec.frontend_arch()
+    if not spack.compilers.compilers_for_arch(arch):
+        new_compilers = spack.compilers.find_new_compilers()
+        if new_compilers:
+            spack.compilers.add_compilers_to_config(new_compilers, init_config=False)
+
+
+@contextlib.contextmanager
+def _ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
+    bootstrap_store_path = store_path()
+    user_configuration = _read_and_sanitize_configuration()
+    with spack.environment.no_active_environment():
+        with spack.platforms.prevent_cray_detection(), spack.platforms.use_platform(
+            spack.platforms.real_host()
+        ), spack.repo.use_repositories(spack.paths.packages_path), spack.store.use_store(
+            bootstrap_store_path
+        ):
+            # Default configuration scopes excluding command line
+            # and builtin but accounting for platform specific scopes
+            config_scopes = _bootstrap_config_scopes()
+            with spack.config.use_configuration(*config_scopes):
+                # We may need to compile code from sources, so ensure we
+                # have compilers for the current platform
+                _add_compilers_if_missing()
+                spack.config.set("bootstrap", user_configuration["bootstrap"])
+                spack.config.set("config", user_configuration["config"])
+                with spack.modules.disable_modules():
+                    with spack_python_interpreter():
+                        yield
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/core.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/core.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9cf25b29e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/core.py
@@ -0,0 +1,574 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+"""Bootstrap Spack core dependencies from binaries.
+
+This module contains logic to bootstrap software required by Spack from binaries served in the
+bootstrapping mirrors. The logic is quite different from an installation done from a Spack user,
+because of the following reasons:
+
+  1. The binaries are all compiled on the same OS for a given platform (e.g. they are compiled on
+     ``centos7`` on ``linux``), but they will be installed and used on the host OS. They are also
+     targeted at the most generic architecture possible. That makes the binaries difficult to reuse
+     with other specs in an environment without ad-hoc logic.
+  2. Bootstrapping has a fallback procedure where we try to install software by default from the
+     most recent binaries, and proceed to older versions of the mirror, until we try building from
+     sources as a last resort. This allows us not to be blocked on architectures where we don't
+     have binaries readily available, but is also not compatible with the working of environments
+     (they don't have fallback procedures).
+  3. Among the binaries we have clingo, so we can't concretize that with clingo :-)
+  4. clingo, GnuPG and patchelf binaries need to be verified by sha256 sum (all the other binaries
+     we might add on top of that in principle can be verified with GPG signatures).
+"""
+
+import copy
+import functools
+import json
+import os
+import os.path
+import sys
+import uuid
+
+from llnl.util import tty
+from llnl.util.lang import GroupedExceptionHandler
+
+import spack.binary_distribution
+import spack.config
+import spack.detection
+import spack.environment
+import spack.modules
+import spack.paths
+import spack.platforms
+import spack.platforms.linux
+import spack.repo
+import spack.spec
+import spack.store
+import spack.user_environment
+import spack.util.environment
+import spack.util.executable
+import spack.util.path
+import spack.util.spack_yaml
+import spack.util.url
+import spack.version
+
+from ._common import (
+    _executables_in_store,
+    _python_import,
+    _root_spec,
+    _try_import_from_store,
+)
+from .config import spack_python_interpreter, spec_for_current_python
+
+#: Name of the file containing metadata about the bootstrapping source
+METADATA_YAML_FILENAME = "metadata.yaml"
+
+#: Whether the current platform is Windows
+IS_WINDOWS = sys.platform == "win32"
+
+#: Map a bootstrapper type to the corresponding class
+_bootstrap_methods = {}
+
+
+def bootstrapper(bootstrapper_type):
+    """Decorator to register classes implementing bootstrapping
+    methods.
+
+    Args:
+        bootstrapper_type (str): string identifying the class
+    """
+
+    def _register(cls):
+        _bootstrap_methods[bootstrapper_type] = cls
+        return cls
+
+    return _register
+
+
+class Bootstrapper:
+    """Interface for "core" software bootstrappers"""
+
+    config_scope_name = ""
+
+    def __init__(self, conf):
+        self.conf = conf
+        self.name = conf["name"]
+        self.url = conf["info"]["url"]
+        self.metadata_dir = spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(conf["metadata"])
+
+    @property
+    def mirror_url(self):
+        """Mirror url associated with this bootstrapper"""
+        # Absolute paths
+        if os.path.isabs(self.url):
+            return spack.util.url.format(self.url)
+
+        # Check for :// and assume it's an url if we find it
+        if "://" in self.url:
+            return self.url
+
+        # Otherwise, it's a relative path
+        return spack.util.url.format(os.path.join(self.metadata_dir, self.url))
+
+    @property
+    def mirror_scope(self):
+        """Mirror scope to be pushed onto the bootstrapping configuration when using
+        this bootstrapper.
+        """
+        return spack.config.InternalConfigScope(
+            self.config_scope_name, {"mirrors:": {self.name: self.mirror_url}}
+        )
+
+    def try_import(self, module: str, abstract_spec_str: str):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+        """Try to import a Python module from a spec satisfying the abstract spec
+        passed as argument.
+
+        Args:
+            module (str): Python module name to try importing
+            abstract_spec_str (str): abstract spec that can provide the Python module
+
+        Return:
+            True if the Python module could be imported, False otherwise
+        """
+        return False
+
+    def try_search_path(self, executables, abstract_spec_str):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+        """Try to search some executables in the prefix of specs satisfying the abstract
+        spec passed as argument.
+
+        Args:
+            executables (list of str): executables to be found
+            abstract_spec_str (str): abstract spec that can provide the Python module
+
+        Return:
+            True if the executables are found, False otherwise
+        """
+        return False
+
+
+@bootstrapper(bootstrapper_type="buildcache")
+class BuildcacheBootstrapper(Bootstrapper):
+    """Install the software needed during bootstrapping from a buildcache."""
+
+    def __init__(self, conf):
+        super().__init__(conf)
+        self.last_search = None
+        self.config_scope_name = f"bootstrap_buildcache-{uuid.uuid4()}"
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _spec_and_platform(abstract_spec_str):
+        """Return the spec object and platform we need to use when
+        querying the buildcache.
+
+        Args:
+            abstract_spec_str: abstract spec string we are looking for
+        """
+        # Try to install from an unsigned binary cache
+        abstract_spec = spack.spec.Spec(abstract_spec_str)
+        # On Cray we want to use Linux binaries if available from mirrors
+        bincache_platform = spack.platforms.real_host()
+        return abstract_spec, bincache_platform
+
+    def _read_metadata(self, package_name):
+        """Return metadata about the given package."""
+        json_filename = f"{package_name}.json"
+        json_dir = self.metadata_dir
+        json_path = os.path.join(json_dir, json_filename)
+        with open(json_path, encoding="utf-8") as stream:
+            data = json.load(stream)
+        return data
+
+    def _install_by_hash(self, pkg_hash, pkg_sha256, index, bincache_platform):
+        index_spec = next(x for x in index if x.dag_hash() == pkg_hash)
+        # Reconstruct the compiler that we need to use for bootstrapping
+        compiler_entry = {
+            "modules": [],
+            "operating_system": str(index_spec.os),
+            "paths": {
+                "cc": "/dev/null",
+                "cxx": "/dev/null",
+                "f77": "/dev/null",
+                "fc": "/dev/null",
+            },
+            "spec": str(index_spec.compiler),
+            "target": str(index_spec.target.family),
+        }
+        with spack.platforms.use_platform(bincache_platform):
+            with spack.config.override("compilers", [{"compiler": compiler_entry}]):
+                spec_str = "/" + pkg_hash
+                query = spack.binary_distribution.BinaryCacheQuery(all_architectures=True)
+                matches = spack.store.find([spec_str], multiple=False, query_fn=query)
+                for match in matches:
+                    spack.binary_distribution.install_root_node(
+                        match, allow_root=True, unsigned=True, force=True, sha256=pkg_sha256
+                    )
+
+    def _install_and_test(self, abstract_spec, bincache_platform, bincache_data, test_fn):
+        # Ensure we see only the buildcache being used to bootstrap
+        with spack.config.override(self.mirror_scope):
+            # This index is currently needed to get the compiler used to build some
+            # specs that we know by dag hash.
+            spack.binary_distribution.binary_index.regenerate_spec_cache()
+            index = spack.binary_distribution.update_cache_and_get_specs()
+
+            if not index:
+                raise RuntimeError("The binary index is empty")
+
+            for item in bincache_data["verified"]:
+                candidate_spec = item["spec"]
+                # This will be None for things that don't depend on python
+                python_spec = item.get("python", None)
+                # Skip specs which are not compatible
+                if not abstract_spec.satisfies(candidate_spec):
+                    continue
+
+                if python_spec is not None and python_spec not in abstract_spec:
+                    continue
+
+                for _, pkg_hash, pkg_sha256 in item["binaries"]:
+                    self._install_by_hash(pkg_hash, pkg_sha256, index, bincache_platform)
+
+                info = {}
+                if test_fn(query_spec=abstract_spec, query_info=info):
+                    self.last_search = info
+                    return True
+        return False
+
+    def try_import(self, module, abstract_spec_str):
+        test_fn, info = functools.partial(_try_import_from_store, module), {}
+        if test_fn(query_spec=abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
+            return True
+
+        tty.debug(f"Bootstrapping {module} from pre-built binaries")
+        abstract_spec, bincache_platform = self._spec_and_platform(
+            abstract_spec_str + " ^" + spec_for_current_python()
+        )
+        data = self._read_metadata(module)
+        return self._install_and_test(abstract_spec, bincache_platform, data, test_fn)
+
+    def try_search_path(self, executables, abstract_spec_str):
+        test_fn, info = functools.partial(_executables_in_store, executables), {}
+        if test_fn(query_spec=abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
+            self.last_search = info
+            return True
+
+        abstract_spec, bincache_platform = self._spec_and_platform(abstract_spec_str)
+        tty.debug(f"Bootstrapping {abstract_spec.name} from pre-built binaries")
+        data = self._read_metadata(abstract_spec.name)
+        return self._install_and_test(abstract_spec, bincache_platform, data, test_fn)
+
+
+@bootstrapper(bootstrapper_type="install")
+class SourceBootstrapper(Bootstrapper):
+    """Install the software needed during bootstrapping from sources."""
+
+    def __init__(self, conf):
+        super().__init__(conf)
+        self.last_search = None
+        self.config_scope_name = f"bootstrap_source-{uuid.uuid4()}"
+
+    def try_import(self, module, abstract_spec_str):
+        info = {}
+        if _try_import_from_store(module, abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
+            self.last_search = info
+            return True
+
+        tty.debug(f"Bootstrapping {module} from sources")
+
+        # If we compile code from sources detecting a few build tools
+        # might reduce compilation time by a fair amount
+        _add_externals_if_missing()
+
+        # Try to build and install from sources
+        with spack_python_interpreter():
+            # Add hint to use frontend operating system on Cray
+            concrete_spec = spack.spec.Spec(abstract_spec_str + " ^" + spec_for_current_python())
+
+            if module == "clingo":
+                # TODO: remove when the old concretizer is deprecated  # pylint: disable=fixme
+                concrete_spec._old_concretize(  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                    deprecation_warning=False
+                )
+            else:
+                concrete_spec.concretize()
+
+        msg = "[BOOTSTRAP MODULE {0}] Try installing '{1}' from sources"
+        tty.debug(msg.format(module, abstract_spec_str))
+
+        # Install the spec that should make the module importable
+        with spack.config.override(self.mirror_scope):
+            concrete_spec.package.do_install(fail_fast=True)
+
+        if _try_import_from_store(module, query_spec=concrete_spec, query_info=info):
+            self.last_search = info
+            return True
+        return False
+
+    def try_search_path(self, executables, abstract_spec_str):
+        info = {}
+        if _executables_in_store(executables, abstract_spec_str, query_info=info):
+            self.last_search = info
+            return True
+
+        tty.debug(f"Bootstrapping {abstract_spec_str} from sources")
+
+        # If we compile code from sources detecting a few build tools
+        # might reduce compilation time by a fair amount
+        _add_externals_if_missing()
+
+        concrete_spec = spack.spec.Spec(abstract_spec_str)
+        if concrete_spec.name == "patchelf":
+            concrete_spec._old_concretize(  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                deprecation_warning=False
+            )
+        else:
+            concrete_spec.concretize()
+
+        msg = "[BOOTSTRAP] Try installing '{0}' from sources"
+        tty.debug(msg.format(abstract_spec_str))
+        with spack.config.override(self.mirror_scope):
+            concrete_spec.package.do_install()
+        if _executables_in_store(executables, concrete_spec, query_info=info):
+            self.last_search = info
+            return True
+        return False
+
+
+def create_bootstrapper(conf):
+    """Return a bootstrap object built according to the configuration argument"""
+    btype = conf["type"]
+    return _bootstrap_methods[btype](conf)
+
+
+def source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf):
+    """Raise ValueError if the source is not enabled for bootstrapping"""
+    trusted, name = spack.config.get("bootstrap:trusted"), conf["name"]
+    if not trusted.get(name, False):
+        raise ValueError("source is not trusted")
+
+
+def ensure_module_importable_or_raise(module, abstract_spec=None):
+    """Make the requested module available for import, or raise.
+
+    This function tries to import a Python module in the current interpreter
+    using, in order, the methods configured in bootstrap.yaml.
+
+    If none of the methods succeed, an exception is raised. The function exits
+    on first success.
+
+    Args:
+        module (str): module to be imported in the current interpreter
+        abstract_spec (str): abstract spec that might provide the module. If not
+            given it defaults to "module"
+
+    Raises:
+        ImportError: if the module couldn't be imported
+    """
+    # If we can import it already, that's great
+    tty.debug(f"[BOOTSTRAP MODULE {module}] Try importing from Python")
+    if _python_import(module):
+        return
+
+    abstract_spec = abstract_spec or module
+
+    exception_handler = GroupedExceptionHandler()
+
+    for current_config in bootstrapping_sources():
+        with exception_handler.forward(current_config["name"]):
+            source_is_enabled_or_raise(current_config)
+            current_bootstrapper = create_bootstrapper(current_config)
+            if current_bootstrapper.try_import(module, abstract_spec):
+                return
+
+    assert exception_handler, (
+        f"expected at least one exception to have been raised at this point: "
+        f"while bootstrapping {module}"
+    )
+    msg = f'cannot bootstrap the "{module}" Python module '
+    if abstract_spec:
+        msg += f'from spec "{abstract_spec}" '
+    if tty.is_debug():
+        msg += exception_handler.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=True)
+    else:
+        msg += exception_handler.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=False)
+        msg += "\nRun `spack --debug ...` for more detailed errors"
+    raise ImportError(msg)
+
+
+def ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(executables, abstract_spec, cmd_check=None):
+    """Ensure that some executables are in path or raise.
+
+    Args:
+        executables (list): list of executables to be searched in the PATH,
+            in order. The function exits on the first one found.
+        abstract_spec (str): abstract spec that provides the executables
+        cmd_check (object): callable predicate that takes a
+            ``spack.util.executable.Executable`` command and validate it. Should return
+            ``True`` if the executable is acceptable, ``False`` otherwise.
+            Can be used to, e.g., ensure a suitable version of the command before
+            accepting for bootstrapping.
+
+    Raises:
+        RuntimeError: if the executables cannot be ensured to be in PATH
+
+    Return:
+        Executable object
+
+    """
+    cmd = spack.util.executable.which(*executables)
+    if cmd:
+        if not cmd_check or cmd_check(cmd):
+            return cmd
+
+    executables_str = ", ".join(executables)
+
+    exception_handler = GroupedExceptionHandler()
+
+    for current_config in bootstrapping_sources():
+        with exception_handler.forward(current_config["name"]):
+            source_is_enabled_or_raise(current_config)
+            current_bootstrapper = create_bootstrapper(current_config)
+            if current_bootstrapper.try_search_path(executables, abstract_spec):
+                # Additional environment variables needed
+                concrete_spec, cmd = (
+                    current_bootstrapper.last_search["spec"],
+                    current_bootstrapper.last_search["command"],
+                )
+                env_mods = spack.util.environment.EnvironmentModifications()
+                for dep in concrete_spec.traverse(
+                    root=True, order="post", deptype=("link", "run")
+                ):
+                    env_mods.extend(
+                        spack.user_environment.environment_modifications_for_spec(
+                            dep, set_package_py_globals=False
+                        )
+                    )
+                cmd.add_default_envmod(env_mods)
+                return cmd
+
+    assert exception_handler, (
+        f"expected at least one exception to have been raised at this point: "
+        f"while bootstrapping {executables_str}"
+    )
+    msg = f"cannot bootstrap any of the {executables_str} executables "
+    if abstract_spec:
+        msg += f'from spec "{abstract_spec}" '
+    if tty.is_debug():
+        msg += exception_handler.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=True)
+    else:
+        msg += exception_handler.grouped_message(with_tracebacks=False)
+        msg += "\nRun `spack --debug ...` for more detailed errors"
+    raise RuntimeError(msg)
+
+
+def _add_externals_if_missing():
+    search_list = [
+        # clingo
+        spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("cmake"),
+        spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("bison"),
+        # GnuPG
+        spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("gawk"),
+    ]
+    if IS_WINDOWS:
+        search_list.append(spack.repo.path.get_pkg_class("winbison"))
+    detected_packages = spack.detection.by_executable(search_list)
+    spack.detection.update_configuration(detected_packages, scope="bootstrap")
+
+
+def clingo_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap clingo"""
+    return _root_spec("clingo-bootstrap@spack+python")
+
+
+def ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise():
+    """Ensure that the clingo module is available for import."""
+    ensure_module_importable_or_raise(module="clingo", abstract_spec=clingo_root_spec())
+
+
+def gnupg_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap GnuPG"""
+    return _root_spec("gnupg@2.3:")
+
+
+def ensure_gpg_in_path_or_raise():
+    """Ensure gpg or gpg2 are in the PATH or raise."""
+    return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(
+        executables=["gpg2", "gpg"], abstract_spec=gnupg_root_spec()
+    )
+
+
+def patchelf_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap patchelf"""
+    # 0.13.1 is the last version not to require C++17.
+    return _root_spec("patchelf@0.13.1:")
+
+
+def verify_patchelf(patchelf):
+    """Older patchelf versions can produce broken binaries, so we
+    verify the version here.
+
+    Arguments:
+
+        patchelf (spack.util.executable.Executable): patchelf executable
+    """
+    out = patchelf("--version", output=str, error=os.devnull, fail_on_error=False).strip()
+    if patchelf.returncode != 0:
+        return False
+    parts = out.split(" ")
+    if len(parts) < 2:
+        return False
+    try:
+        version = spack.version.Version(parts[1])
+    except ValueError:
+        return False
+    return version >= spack.version.Version("0.13.1")
+
+
+def ensure_patchelf_in_path_or_raise():
+    """Ensure patchelf is in the PATH or raise."""
+    # The old concretizer is not smart and we're doing its job: if the latest patchelf
+    # does not concretize because the compiler doesn't support C++17, we try to
+    # concretize again with an upperbound @:13.
+    try:
+        return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(
+            executables=["patchelf"], abstract_spec=patchelf_root_spec(), cmd_check=verify_patchelf
+        )
+    except RuntimeError:
+        return ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(
+            executables=["patchelf"],
+            abstract_spec=_root_spec("patchelf@0.13.1:0.13"),
+            cmd_check=verify_patchelf,
+        )
+
+
+def ensure_core_dependencies():
+    """Ensure the presence of all the core dependencies."""
+    if sys.platform.lower() == "linux":
+        ensure_patchelf_in_path_or_raise()
+    ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise()
+    ensure_gpg_in_path_or_raise()
+
+
+def all_core_root_specs():
+    """Return a list of all the core root specs that may be used to bootstrap Spack"""
+    return [clingo_root_spec(), gnupg_root_spec(), patchelf_root_spec()]
+
+
+def bootstrapping_sources(scope=None):
+    """Return the list of configured sources of software for bootstrapping Spack
+
+    Args:
+        scope (str or None): if a valid configuration scope is given, return the
+            list only from that scope
+    """
+    source_configs = spack.config.get("bootstrap:sources", default=None, scope=scope)
+    source_configs = source_configs or []
+    list_of_sources = []
+    for entry in source_configs:
+        current = copy.copy(entry)
+        metadata_dir = spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(entry["metadata"])
+        metadata_yaml = os.path.join(metadata_dir, METADATA_YAML_FILENAME)
+        with open(metadata_yaml, encoding="utf-8") as stream:
+            current.update(spack.util.spack_yaml.load(stream))
+        list_of_sources.append(current)
+    return list_of_sources
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/environment.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/environment.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f92fd451d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/environment.py
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+"""Bootstrap non-core Spack dependencies from an environment."""
+import glob
+import hashlib
+import os
+import pathlib
+import sys
+import warnings
+
+import archspec.cpu
+
+from llnl.util import tty
+
+import spack.build_environment
+import spack.environment
+import spack.tengine
+import spack.util.executable
+
+from ._common import _root_spec
+from .config import root_path, spec_for_current_python, store_path
+
+
+class BootstrapEnvironment(spack.environment.Environment):
+    """Environment to install dependencies of Spack for a given interpreter and architecture"""
+
+    @classmethod
+    def spack_dev_requirements(cls):
+        """Spack development requirements"""
+        return [
+            isort_root_spec(),
+            mypy_root_spec(),
+            black_root_spec(),
+            flake8_root_spec(),
+            pytest_root_spec(),
+        ]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def environment_root(cls):
+        """Environment root directory"""
+        bootstrap_root_path = root_path()
+        python_part = spec_for_current_python().replace("@", "")
+        arch_part = archspec.cpu.host().family
+        interpreter_part = hashlib.md5(sys.exec_prefix.encode()).hexdigest()[:5]
+        environment_dir = f"{python_part}-{arch_part}-{interpreter_part}"
+        return pathlib.Path(
+            spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(
+                os.path.join(bootstrap_root_path, "environments", environment_dir)
+            )
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def view_root(cls):
+        """Location of the view"""
+        return cls.environment_root().joinpath("view")
+
+    @classmethod
+    def pythonpaths(cls):
+        """Paths to be added to sys.path or PYTHONPATH"""
+        python_dir_part = f"python{'.'.join(str(x) for x in sys.version_info[:2])}"
+        glob_expr = str(cls.view_root().joinpath("**", python_dir_part, "**"))
+        result = glob.glob(glob_expr)
+        if not result:
+            msg = f"Cannot find any Python path in {cls.view_root()}"
+            warnings.warn(msg)
+        return result
+
+    @classmethod
+    def bin_dirs(cls):
+        """Paths to be added to PATH"""
+        return [cls.view_root().joinpath("bin")]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def spack_yaml(cls):
+        """Environment spack.yaml file"""
+        return cls.environment_root().joinpath("spack.yaml")
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        if not self.spack_yaml().exists():
+            self._write_spack_yaml_file()
+        super().__init__(self.environment_root())
+
+    def update_installations(self):
+        """Update the installations of this environment.
+
+        The update is done using a depfile on Linux and macOS, and using the ``install_all``
+        method of environments on Windows.
+        """
+        with tty.SuppressOutput(msg_enabled=False, warn_enabled=False):
+            specs = self.concretize()
+        if specs:
+            colorized_specs = [
+                spack.spec.Spec(x).cformat("{name}{@version}")
+                for x in self.spack_dev_requirements()
+            ]
+            tty.msg(f"[BOOTSTRAPPING] Installing dependencies ({', '.join(colorized_specs)})")
+            self.write(regenerate=False)
+            if sys.platform == "win32":
+                self.install_all()
+            else:
+                self._install_with_depfile()
+            self.write(regenerate=True)
+
+    def update_syspath_and_environ(self):
+        """Update ``sys.path`` and the PATH, PYTHONPATH environment variables to point to
+        the environment view.
+        """
+        # Do minimal modifications to sys.path and environment variables. In particular, pay
+        # attention to have the smallest PYTHONPATH / sys.path possible, since that may impact
+        # the performance of the current interpreter
+        sys.path.extend(self.pythonpaths())
+        os.environ["PATH"] = os.pathsep.join(
+            [str(x) for x in self.bin_dirs()] + os.environ.get("PATH", "").split(os.pathsep)
+        )
+        os.environ["PYTHONPATH"] = os.pathsep.join(
+            os.environ.get("PYTHONPATH", "").split(os.pathsep)
+            + [str(x) for x in self.pythonpaths()]
+        )
+
+    def _install_with_depfile(self):
+        spackcmd = spack.util.executable.which("spack")
+        spackcmd(
+            "-e",
+            str(self.environment_root()),
+            "env",
+            "depfile",
+            "-o",
+            str(self.environment_root().joinpath("Makefile")),
+        )
+        make = spack.util.executable.which("make")
+        kwargs = {}
+        if not tty.is_debug():
+            kwargs = {"output": os.devnull, "error": os.devnull}
+        make(
+            "-C",
+            str(self.environment_root()),
+            "-j",
+            str(spack.build_environment.determine_number_of_jobs(parallel=True)),
+            **kwargs,
+        )
+
+    def _write_spack_yaml_file(self):
+        tty.msg(
+            "[BOOTSTRAPPING] Spack has missing dependencies, creating a bootstrapping environment"
+        )
+        env = spack.tengine.make_environment()
+        template = env.get_template("bootstrap/spack.yaml")
+        context = {
+            "python_spec": spec_for_current_python(),
+            "python_prefix": sys.exec_prefix,
+            "architecture": archspec.cpu.host().family,
+            "environment_path": self.environment_root(),
+            "environment_specs": self.spack_dev_requirements(),
+            "store_path": store_path(),
+        }
+        self.environment_root().mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        self.spack_yaml().write_text(template.render(context), encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+def isort_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap isort"""
+    return _root_spec("py-isort@4.3.5:")
+
+
+def mypy_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap mypy"""
+    return _root_spec("py-mypy@0.900:")
+
+
+def black_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap black"""
+    return _root_spec("py-black")
+
+
+def flake8_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap flake8"""
+    return _root_spec("py-flake8")
+
+
+def pytest_root_spec():
+    """Return the root spec used to bootstrap flake8"""
+    return _root_spec("py-pytest")
+
+
+def ensure_environment_dependencies():
+    """Ensure Spack dependencies from the bootstrap environment are installed and ready to use"""
+    with BootstrapEnvironment() as env:
+        env.update_installations()
+        env.update_syspath_and_environ()
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/status.py b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/status.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c8569ce7ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/bootstrap/status.py
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+"""Query the status of bootstrapping on this machine"""
+import platform
+
+import spack.util.executable
+
+from ._common import _executables_in_store, _python_import, _try_import_from_store
+from .config import ensure_bootstrap_configuration
+from .core import clingo_root_spec, patchelf_root_spec
+from .environment import (
+    BootstrapEnvironment,
+    black_root_spec,
+    flake8_root_spec,
+    isort_root_spec,
+    mypy_root_spec,
+    pytest_root_spec,
+)
+
+
+def _required_system_executable(exes, msg):
+    """Search for an executable is the system path only."""
+    if isinstance(exes, str):
+        exes = (exes,)
+    if spack.util.executable.which_string(*exes):
+        return True, None
+    return False, msg
+
+
+def _required_executable(exes, query_spec, msg):
+    """Search for an executable in the system path or in the bootstrap store."""
+    if isinstance(exes, str):
+        exes = (exes,)
+    if spack.util.executable.which_string(*exes) or _executables_in_store(exes, query_spec):
+        return True, None
+    return False, msg
+
+
+def _required_python_module(module, query_spec, msg):
+    """Check if a Python module is available in the current interpreter or
+    if it can be loaded from the bootstrap store
+    """
+    if _python_import(module) or _try_import_from_store(module, query_spec):
+        return True, None
+    return False, msg
+
+
+def _missing(name, purpose, system_only=True):
+    """Message to be printed if an executable is not found"""
+    msg = '[{2}] MISSING "{0}": {1}'
+    if not system_only:
+        return msg.format(name, purpose, "@*y{{B}}")
+    return msg.format(name, purpose, "@*y{{-}}")
+
+
+def _core_requirements():
+    _core_system_exes = {
+        "make": _missing("make", "required to build software from sources"),
+        "patch": _missing("patch", "required to patch source code before building"),
+        "bash": _missing("bash", "required for Spack compiler wrapper"),
+        "tar": _missing("tar", "required to manage code archives"),
+        "gzip": _missing("gzip", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
+        "unzip": _missing("unzip", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
+        "bzip2": _missing("bzip2", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
+        "git": _missing("git", "required to fetch/manage git repositories"),
+    }
+    if platform.system().lower() == "linux":
+        _core_system_exes["xz"] = _missing("xz", "required to compress/decompress code archives")
+
+    # Executables that are not bootstrapped yet
+    result = [_required_system_executable(exe, msg) for exe, msg in _core_system_exes.items()]
+    # Python modules
+    result.append(
+        _required_python_module(
+            "clingo", clingo_root_spec(), _missing("clingo", "required to concretize specs", False)
+        )
+    )
+    return result
+
+
+def _buildcache_requirements():
+    _buildcache_exes = {
+        "file": _missing("file", "required to analyze files for buildcaches"),
+        ("gpg2", "gpg"): _missing("gpg2", "required to sign/verify buildcaches", False),
+    }
+    if platform.system().lower() == "darwin":
+        _buildcache_exes["otool"] = _missing("otool", "required to relocate binaries")
+
+    # Executables that are not bootstrapped yet
+    result = [_required_system_executable(exe, msg) for exe, msg in _buildcache_exes.items()]
+
+    if platform.system().lower() == "linux":
+        result.append(
+            _required_executable(
+                "patchelf",
+                patchelf_root_spec(),
+                _missing("patchelf", "required to relocate binaries", False),
+            )
+        )
+
+    return result
+
+
+def _optional_requirements():
+    _optional_exes = {
+        "zstd": _missing("zstd", "required to compress/decompress code archives"),
+        "svn": _missing("svn", "required to manage subversion repositories"),
+        "hg": _missing("hg", "required to manage mercurial repositories"),
+    }
+    # Executables that are not bootstrapped yet
+    result = [_required_system_executable(exe, msg) for exe, msg in _optional_exes.items()]
+    return result
+
+
+def _development_requirements():
+    # Ensure we trigger environment modifications if we have an environment
+    if BootstrapEnvironment.spack_yaml().exists():
+        with BootstrapEnvironment() as env:
+            env.update_syspath_and_environ()
+
+    return [
+        _required_executable(
+            "isort", isort_root_spec(), _missing("isort", "required for style checks", False)
+        ),
+        _required_executable(
+            "mypy", mypy_root_spec(), _missing("mypy", "required for style checks", False)
+        ),
+        _required_executable(
+            "flake8", flake8_root_spec(), _missing("flake8", "required for style checks", False)
+        ),
+        _required_executable(
+            "black", black_root_spec(), _missing("black", "required for code formatting", False)
+        ),
+        _required_python_module(
+            "pytest", pytest_root_spec(), _missing("pytest", "required to run unit-test", False)
+        ),
+    ]
+
+
+def status_message(section):
+    """Return a status message to be printed to screen that refers to the
+    section passed as argument and a bool which is True if there are missing
+    dependencies.
+
+    Args:
+        section (str): either 'core' or 'buildcache' or 'optional' or 'develop'
+    """
+    pass_token, fail_token = "@*g{[PASS]}", "@*r{[FAIL]}"
+
+    # Contain the header of the section and a list of requirements
+    spack_sections = {
+        "core": ("{0} @*{{Core Functionalities}}", _core_requirements),
+        "buildcache": ("{0} @*{{Binary packages}}", _buildcache_requirements),
+        "optional": ("{0} @*{{Optional Features}}", _optional_requirements),
+        "develop": ("{0} @*{{Development Dependencies}}", _development_requirements),
+    }
+    msg, required_software = spack_sections[section]
+
+    with ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
+        missing_software = False
+        for found, err_msg in required_software():
+            if not found:
+                missing_software = True
+                msg += "\n  " + err_msg
+        msg += "\n"
+        msg = msg.format(pass_token if not missing_software else fail_token)
+    return msg, missing_software
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py
index 6536cec10f..bef1979f0a 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/bootstrap.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 from __future__ import print_function
 
 import os.path
-import platform
 import shutil
 import tempfile
 
@@ -15,6 +14,8 @@ import llnl.util.tty.color
 
 import spack
 import spack.bootstrap
+import spack.bootstrap.config
+import spack.bootstrap.core
 import spack.cmd.common.arguments
 import spack.config
 import spack.main
@@ -75,7 +76,8 @@ def _add_scope_option(parser):
 def setup_parser(subparser):
     sp = subparser.add_subparsers(dest="subcommand")
 
-    sp.add_parser("now", help="Spack ready, right now!")
+    now = sp.add_parser("now", help="Spack ready, right now!")
+    now.add_argument("--dev", action="store_true", help="bootstrap dev dependencies too")
 
     status = sp.add_parser("status", help="get the status of Spack")
     status.add_argument(
@@ -194,7 +196,7 @@ def _root(args):
 
 
 def _list(args):
-    sources = spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources(scope=args.scope)
+    sources = spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources(scope=args.scope)
     if not sources:
         llnl.util.tty.msg("No method available for bootstrapping Spack's dependencies")
         return
@@ -298,7 +300,7 @@ def _status(args):
         sections.append("develop")
 
     header = "@*b{{Spack v{0} - {1}}}".format(
-        spack.spack_version, spack.bootstrap.spec_for_current_python()
+        spack.spack_version, spack.bootstrap.config.spec_for_current_python()
     )
     print(llnl.util.tty.color.colorize(header))
     print()
@@ -323,7 +325,7 @@ def _status(args):
 
 
 def _add(args):
-    initial_sources = spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources()
+    initial_sources = spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources()
     names = [s["name"] for s in initial_sources]
 
     # If the name is already used error out
@@ -353,7 +355,7 @@ def _add(args):
 
 
 def _remove(args):
-    initial_sources = spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources()
+    initial_sources = spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources()
     names = [s["name"] for s in initial_sources]
     if args.name not in names:
         msg = (
@@ -386,7 +388,10 @@ def _mirror(args):
     # TODO: Here we are adding gnuconfig manually, but this can be fixed
     # TODO: as soon as we have an option to add to a mirror all the possible
     # TODO: dependencies of a spec
-    root_specs = spack.bootstrap.all_root_specs(development=args.dev) + ["gnuconfig"]
+    root_specs = spack.bootstrap.all_core_root_specs() + ["gnuconfig"]
+    if args.dev:
+        root_specs += spack.bootstrap.BootstrapEnvironment.spack_dev_requirements()
+
     for spec_str in root_specs:
         msg = 'Adding "{0}" and dependencies to the mirror at {1}'
         llnl.util.tty.msg(msg.format(spec_str, mirror_dir))
@@ -436,10 +441,9 @@ def _mirror(args):
 
 def _now(args):
     with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-        if platform.system().lower() == "linux":
-            spack.bootstrap.ensure_patchelf_in_path_or_raise()
-        spack.bootstrap.ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise()
-        spack.bootstrap.ensure_gpg_in_path_or_raise()
+        spack.bootstrap.ensure_core_dependencies()
+        if args.dev:
+            spack.bootstrap.ensure_environment_dependencies()
 
 
 def bootstrap(parser, args):
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/style.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/style.py
index 0172c9f6d4..2be043425c 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/style.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/style.py
@@ -2,9 +2,6 @@
 # Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
-
-from __future__ import print_function
-
 import argparse
 import os
 import re
@@ -15,7 +12,6 @@ import llnl.util.tty as tty
 import llnl.util.tty.color as color
 from llnl.util.filesystem import working_dir
 
-import spack.bootstrap
 import spack.paths
 from spack.util.executable import which
 
@@ -25,7 +21,7 @@ level = "long"
 
 
 def grouper(iterable, n, fillvalue=None):
-    "Collect data into fixed-length chunks or blocks"
+    """Collect data into fixed-length chunks or blocks"""
     # grouper('ABCDEFG', 3, 'x') --> ABC DEF Gxx"
     args = [iter(iterable)] * n
     for group in zip_longest(*args, fillvalue=fillvalue):
@@ -41,16 +37,13 @@ exclude_directories = [
 #: double-check the results of other tools (if, e.g., --fix was provided)
 #: The list maps an executable name to a method to ensure the tool is
 #: bootstrapped or present in the environment.
-tool_order = [
-    ("isort", spack.bootstrap.ensure_isort_in_path_or_raise),
-    ("mypy", spack.bootstrap.ensure_mypy_in_path_or_raise),
-    ("black", spack.bootstrap.ensure_black_in_path_or_raise),
-    ("flake8", spack.bootstrap.ensure_flake8_in_path_or_raise),
+tool_names = [
+    "isort",
+    "mypy",
+    "black",
+    "flake8",
 ]
 
-#: list of just the tool names -- for argparse
-tool_names = [k for k, _ in tool_order]
-
 #: tools we run in spack style
 tools = {}
 
@@ -222,10 +215,8 @@ def rewrite_and_print_output(
         print(line)
 
 
-def print_style_header(file_list, args, selected):
-    tools = [tool for tool in tool_names if tool in selected]
-    tty.msg("Running style checks on spack", "selected: " + ", ".join(tools))
-
+def print_style_header(file_list, args, tools_to_run):
+    tty.msg("Running style checks on spack", "selected: " + ", ".join(tools_to_run))
     # translate modified paths to cwd_relative if needed
     paths = [filename.strip() for filename in file_list]
     if not args.root_relative:
@@ -384,6 +375,17 @@ def validate_toolset(arg_value):
     return tools
 
 
+def missing_tools(tools_to_run):
+    return [t for t in tools_to_run if which(t) is None]
+
+
+def _bootstrap_dev_dependencies():
+    import spack.bootstrap
+
+    with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
+        spack.bootstrap.ensure_environment_dependencies()
+
+
 def style(parser, args):
     # save initial working directory for relativizing paths later
     args.initial_working_dir = os.getcwd()
@@ -418,25 +420,20 @@ def style(parser, args):
         tty.msg("Nothing to run.")
         return
 
+    tools_to_run = [t for t in tool_names if t in selected]
+    if missing_tools(tools_to_run):
+        _bootstrap_dev_dependencies()
+
     return_code = 0
     with working_dir(args.root):
         if not file_list:
             file_list = changed_files(args.base, args.untracked, args.all)
 
-        print_style_header(file_list, args, selected)
-
-        tools_to_run = [(tool, fn) for tool, fn in tool_order if tool in selected]
-        commands = {}
-        with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-            # bootstrap everything first to get commands
-            for tool_name, bootstrap_fn in tools_to_run:
-                commands[tool_name] = bootstrap_fn()
-
-            # run tools once bootstrapping is done
-            for tool_name, bootstrap_fn in tools_to_run:
-                run_function, required = tools[tool_name]
-                print_tool_header(tool_name)
-                return_code |= run_function(commands[tool_name], file_list, args)
+        print_style_header(file_list, args, tools_to_run)
+        for tool_name in tools_to_run:
+            run_function, required = tools[tool_name]
+            print_tool_header(tool_name)
+            return_code |= run_function(which(tool_name), file_list, args)
 
     if return_code == 0:
         tty.msg(color.colorize("@*{spack style checks were clean}"))
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/unit_test.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/unit_test.py
index 55c8b17f9c..8583c35710 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/unit_test.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/unit_test.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ import llnl.util.filesystem
 import llnl.util.tty.color as color
 from llnl.util.tty.colify import colify
 
-import spack.bootstrap
 import spack.paths
 
 description = "run spack's unit tests (wrapper around pytest)"
@@ -207,6 +206,7 @@ def add_back_pytest_args(args, unknown_args):
 
 def unit_test(parser, args, unknown_args):
     global pytest
+    import spack.bootstrap
 
     # Ensure clingo is available before switching to the
     # mock configuration used by unit tests
@@ -214,12 +214,10 @@ def unit_test(parser, args, unknown_args):
     # clingo is wholly unsupported from bootstrap
     if not is_windows:
         with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-            spack.bootstrap.ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise()
-
-    if pytest is None:
-        vendored_pytest_dir = os.path.join(spack.paths.external_path, "pytest-fallback")
-        sys.path.append(vendored_pytest_dir)
-        import pytest
+            spack.bootstrap.ensure_core_dependencies()
+            if pytest is None:
+                spack.bootstrap.ensure_environment_dependencies()
+                import pytest
 
     if args.pytest_help:
         # make the pytest.main help output more accurate
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py b/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
index 6ac6908ff3..7d23f6aa6c 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/environment/environment.py
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import llnl.util.tty as tty
 from llnl.util.lang import dedupe
 from llnl.util.symlink import symlink
 
-import spack.bootstrap
 import spack.compilers
 import spack.concretize
 import spack.config
@@ -1344,6 +1343,8 @@ class Environment(object):
         """Concretization strategy that concretizes separately one
         user spec after the other.
         """
+        import spack.bootstrap
+
         # keep any concretized specs whose user specs are still in the manifest
         old_concretized_user_specs = self.concretized_user_specs
         old_concretized_order = self.concretized_order
@@ -1368,7 +1369,7 @@ class Environment(object):
         # Ensure we don't try to bootstrap clingo in parallel
         if spack.config.get("config:concretizer", "clingo") == "clingo":
             with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-                spack.bootstrap.ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise()
+                spack.bootstrap.ensure_core_dependencies()
 
         # Ensure all the indexes have been built or updated, since
         # otherwise the processes in the pool may timeout on waiting
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/relocate.py b/lib/spack/spack/relocate.py
index f7231a9b34..ec864c2d84 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/relocate.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/relocate.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import llnl.util.tty as tty
 from llnl.util.lang import memoized
 from llnl.util.symlink import symlink
 
-import spack.bootstrap
 import spack.paths
 import spack.platforms
 import spack.repo
@@ -92,6 +91,8 @@ class CannotShrinkCString(BinaryTextReplaceError):
 @memoized
 def _patchelf():
     """Return the full path to the patchelf binary, if available, else None."""
+    import spack.bootstrap
+
     if is_macos:
         return None
 
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py b/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py
index 8809121e1d..c15793a230 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/solver/asp.py
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ import llnl.util.tty as tty
 
 import spack
 import spack.binary_distribution
-import spack.bootstrap
 import spack.cmd
 import spack.compilers
 import spack.config
@@ -541,8 +540,10 @@ def bootstrap_clingo():
     global clingo, ASTType, parse_files
 
     if not clingo:
+        import spack.bootstrap
+
         with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-            spack.bootstrap.ensure_clingo_importable_or_raise()
+            spack.bootstrap.ensure_core_dependencies()
             import clingo
 
     from clingo.ast import ASTType
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/store.py b/lib/spack/spack/store.py
index bfb8eee194..5823800751 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/store.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/store.py
@@ -191,18 +191,6 @@ def _store():
     root, unpadded_root, projections = parse_install_tree(config_dict)
     hash_length = spack.config.get("config:install_hash_length")
 
-    # Check that the user is not trying to install software into the store
-    # reserved by Spack to bootstrap its own dependencies, since this would
-    # lead to bizarre behaviors (e.g. cleaning the bootstrap area would wipe
-    # user installed software)
-    enable_bootstrap = spack.config.get("bootstrap:enable", True)
-    if enable_bootstrap and spack.bootstrap.store_path() == root:
-        msg = (
-            'please change the install tree root "{0}" in your '
-            "configuration [path reserved for Spack internal use]"
-        )
-        raise ValueError(msg.format(root))
-
     return Store(
         root=root, unpadded_root=unpadded_root, projections=projections, hash_length=hash_length
     )
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
index 06e9e5f2bc..507bcf5e54 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import sys
 import pytest
 
 import spack.bootstrap
+import spack.bootstrap.config
+import spack.bootstrap.core
 import spack.compilers
 import spack.environment
 import spack.store
@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ def test_store_is_restored_correctly_after_bootstrap(mutable_config, tmpdir):
     # Test that within the context manager we use the bootstrap store
     # and that outside we restore the correct location
     with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-        assert spack.store.root == spack.bootstrap.store_path()
+        assert spack.store.root == spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
     assert spack.store.root == user_path
 
 
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ def test_store_path_customization(config_value, expected, mutable_config):
     spack.config.set("bootstrap:root", config_value)
 
     # Check the store path
-    current = spack.bootstrap.store_path()
+    current = spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
     assert current == spack.util.path.canonicalize_path(expected)
 
 
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ def test_raising_exception_if_bootstrap_disabled(mutable_config):
 
     # Check the correct exception is raised
     with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="bootstrapping is currently disabled"):
-        spack.bootstrap.store_path()
+        spack.bootstrap.config.store_path()
 
 
 def test_raising_exception_module_importable():
@@ -69,7 +71,7 @@ def test_raising_exception_module_importable():
         ImportError,
         match='cannot bootstrap the "asdf" Python module',
     ):
-        spack.bootstrap.ensure_module_importable_or_raise("asdf")
+        spack.bootstrap.core.ensure_module_importable_or_raise("asdf")
 
 
 def test_raising_exception_executables_in_path():
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ def test_raising_exception_executables_in_path():
         RuntimeError,
         match="cannot bootstrap any of the asdf, fdsa executables",
     ):
-        spack.bootstrap.ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(["asdf", "fdsa"], "python")
+        spack.bootstrap.core.ensure_executables_in_path_or_raise(["asdf", "fdsa"], "python")
 
 
 @pytest.mark.regression("25603")
@@ -175,13 +177,15 @@ def test_nested_use_of_context_manager(mutable_config):
 def test_status_function_find_files(
     mutable_config, mock_executable, tmpdir, monkeypatch, expected_missing
 ):
+    import spack.bootstrap.status
+
     if not expected_missing:
         mock_executable("foo", "echo Hello WWorld!")
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        spack.bootstrap,
+        spack.bootstrap.status,
         "_optional_requirements",
-        lambda: [spack.bootstrap._required_system_executable("foo", "NOT FOUND")],
+        lambda: [spack.bootstrap.status._required_system_executable("foo", "NOT FOUND")],
     )
     monkeypatch.setenv("PATH", str(tmpdir.join("bin")))
 
@@ -192,15 +196,15 @@ def test_status_function_find_files(
 @pytest.mark.regression("31042")
 def test_source_is_disabled(mutable_config):
     # Get the configuration dictionary of the current bootstrapping source
-    conf = next(iter(spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources()))
+    conf = next(iter(spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources()))
 
     # The source is not explicitly enabled or disabled, so the following
     # call should raise to skip using it for bootstrapping
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        spack.bootstrap.source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf)
+        spack.bootstrap.core.source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf)
 
     # Try to explicitly disable the source and verify that the behavior
     # is the same as above
     spack.config.add("bootstrap:trusted:{0}:{1}".format(conf["name"], False))
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        spack.bootstrap.source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf)
+        spack.bootstrap.core.source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf)
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/cc.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/cc.py
index 68d8c8abaf..410799a011 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/cc.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/cc.py
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ pytestmark = pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform == "win32", reason="does not run on
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="function")
-def wrapper_environment():
+def wrapper_environment(working_env):
     with set_env(
         SPACK_CC=real_cc,
         SPACK_CXX=real_cc,
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py
index e969f7fc6f..7c39806ac1 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/cmd/bootstrap.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import sys
 
 import pytest
 
+import spack.bootstrap
+import spack.bootstrap.core
 import spack.config
 import spack.environment as ev
 import spack.main
@@ -157,17 +159,17 @@ def test_remove_failure_for_non_existing_names(mutable_config):
 
 def test_remove_and_add_a_source(mutable_config):
     # Check we start with a single bootstrapping source
-    sources = spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources()
+    sources = spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources()
     assert len(sources) == 1
 
     # Remove it and check the result
     _bootstrap("remove", "github-actions")
-    sources = spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources()
+    sources = spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources()
     assert not sources
 
     # Add it back and check we restored the initial state
     _bootstrap("add", "github-actions", "$spack/share/spack/bootstrap/github-actions-v0.3")
-    sources = spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources()
+    sources = spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources()
     assert len(sources) == 1
 
 
@@ -206,4 +208,4 @@ def test_bootstrap_mirror_metadata(mutable_config, linux_os, monkeypatch, tmpdir
     _bootstrap("add", "--trust", "test-mirror", str(metadata_dir))
 
     assert _bootstrap.returncode == 0
-    assert any(m["name"] == "test-mirror" for m in spack.bootstrap.bootstrapping_sources())
+    assert any(m["name"] == "test-mirror" for m in spack.bootstrap.core.bootstrapping_sources())
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/util/gpg.py b/lib/spack/spack/util/gpg.py
index ffee274c3f..0efdef99c2 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/util/gpg.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/util/gpg.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import functools
 import os
 import re
 
-import spack.bootstrap
 import spack.error
 import spack.paths
 import spack.util.executable
@@ -47,6 +46,8 @@ def init(gnupghome=None, force=False):
             global objects are set already
     """
     global GPG, GPGCONF, SOCKET_DIR, GNUPGHOME
+    import spack.bootstrap
+
     if force:
         clear()
 
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ def init(gnupghome=None, force=False):
 
     # Set the executable objects for "gpg" and "gpgconf"
     with spack.bootstrap.ensure_bootstrap_configuration():
-        spack.bootstrap.ensure_gpg_in_path_or_raise()
+        spack.bootstrap.ensure_core_dependencies()
         GPG, GPGCONF = _gpg(), _gpgconf()
 
     GPG.add_default_env("GNUPGHOME", GNUPGHOME)
diff --git a/share/spack/spack-completion.bash b/share/spack/spack-completion.bash
index b66f4cb1aa..5c90b1b5f3 100755
--- a/share/spack/spack-completion.bash
+++ b/share/spack/spack-completion.bash
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ _spack_bootstrap() {
 }
 
 _spack_bootstrap_now() {
-    SPACK_COMPREPLY="-h --help"
+    SPACK_COMPREPLY="-h --help --dev"
 }
 
 _spack_bootstrap_status() {
diff --git a/share/spack/templates/bootstrap/spack.yaml b/share/spack/templates/bootstrap/spack.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4573bb485e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/share/spack/templates/bootstrap/spack.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# This environment contains Spack non-core dependencies for the
+# following configuration
+#
+# Python spec: {{ python_spec }}
+# Python interpreter: {{ python_prefix }}
+# Architecture: {{ architecture }}
+#
+spack:
+  specs:
+{% for spec in environment_specs %}
+    - "{{ spec }}"
+{% endfor %}
+  view: {{ environment_path }}/view
+
+  config:
+    install_tree:
+      root: {{ store_path }}
+
+  packages:
+    python:
+      buildable: false
+      externals:
+        - spec: "{{ python_spec }}"
+          prefix: "{{ python_prefix }}"
+
+    py-typed-ast:
+      require: "+wheel"
+
+    py-platformdirs:
+      require: "+wheel"
+
+  concretizer:
+    reuse: false
+    unify: true
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-black/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-black/package.py
index d2d3cd286f..21c114aa0b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-black/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-black/package.py
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ class PyBlack(PythonPackage):
     depends_on("py-ipython@7.8:", when="+jupyter", type=("build", "run"))
     depends_on("py-tokenize-rt@3.2:", when="+jupyter", type=("build", "run"))
 
+    # Needed because this package is used to bootstrap Spack (Spack supports Python 3.6+)
+    depends_on("py-dataclasses@0.6:", when="^python@:3.6", type=("build", "run"))
+
     # see: https://github.com/psf/black/issues/2964
     # note that pip doesn't know this constraint.
     depends_on("py-click@:8.0", when="@:22.2", type=("build", "run"))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dataclasses/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dataclasses/package.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a3de7b2313
--- /dev/null
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dataclasses/package.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+# Copyright 2013-2022 Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC and other
+# Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
+
+from spack.package import *
+
+
+class PyDataclasses(PythonPackage):
+    """A backport of the dataclasses module for Python 3.6"""
+
+    homepage = "https://github.com/ericvsmith/dataclasses"
+    pypi = "dataclasses/dataclasses-0.7.tar.gz"
+
+    version("0.8", sha256="8479067f342acf957dc82ec415d355ab5edb7e7646b90dc6e2fd1d96ad084c97")
+    version("0.7", sha256="494a6dcae3b8bcf80848eea2ef64c0cc5cd307ffc263e17cdf42f3e5420808e6")
+
+    depends_on("python@3.6.00:3.6", type=("build", "run"))
+    depends_on("py-setuptools", type="build")
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-platformdirs/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-platformdirs/package.py
index f226506db5..ee5a832315 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-platformdirs/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-platformdirs/package.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
 
+import spack.build_systems.python
 from spack.package import *
 
 
@@ -18,9 +19,24 @@ class PyPlatformdirs(PythonPackage):
     version("2.4.0", sha256="367a5e80b3d04d2428ffa76d33f124cf11e8fff2acdaa9b43d545f5c7d661ef2")
     version("2.3.0", sha256="15b056538719b1c94bdaccb29e5f81879c7f7f0f4a153f46086d155dffcd4f0f")
 
+    variant(
+        "wheel",
+        default=False,
+        sticky=True,
+        description="Install from wheel (required for bootstrapping Spack)",
+    )
+
     depends_on("python@3.7:", when="@2.4.1:", type=("build", "run"))
     depends_on("python@3.6:", type=("build", "run"))
     depends_on("py-setuptools@44:", when="@:2.5.1", type="build")
     depends_on("py-setuptools-scm@5:+toml", when="@:2.5.1", type="build")
     depends_on("py-hatchling@0.22.0:", when="@2.5.2:", type="build")
     depends_on("py-hatch-vcs", when="@2.5.2:", type="build")
+
+
+class PythonPipBuilder(spack.build_systems.python.PythonPipBuilder):
+    @when("+wheel")
+    def install(self, pkg, spec, prefix):
+        args = list(filter(lambda x: x != "--no-index", self.std_args(self.pkg)))
+        args += [f"--prefix={prefix}", self.spec.format("platformdirs=={version}")]
+        pip(*args)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-typed-ast/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-typed-ast/package.py
index 4dc338e06a..16f6fc03ab 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-typed-ast/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-typed-ast/package.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Spack Project Developers. See the top-level COPYRIGHT file for details.
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: (Apache-2.0 OR MIT)
-
+import spack.build_systems.python
 from spack.package import *
 
 
@@ -23,7 +23,22 @@ class PyTypedAst(PythonPackage):
         url="https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/source/t/typed-ast/typed-ast-1.3.5.tar.gz",
     )
 
+    variant(
+        "wheel",
+        default=False,
+        sticky=True,
+        description="Install from wheel (required for bootstrapping Spack)",
+    )
+
     depends_on("python@3.3:", type=("build", "link", "run"))
     depends_on("python@3.6:", when="@1.5.4:", type=("build", "link", "run"))
     depends_on("python@:3.8", when="@:1.4.0")  # build errors with 3.9 until 1.4.1
     depends_on("py-setuptools", type="build")
+
+
+class PythonPipBuilder(spack.build_systems.python.PythonPipBuilder):
+    @when("+wheel")
+    def install(self, pkg, spec, prefix):
+        args = list(filter(lambda x: x != "--no-index", self.std_args(self.pkg)))
+        args += [f"--prefix={prefix}", self.spec.format("typed-ast=={version}")]
+        pip(*args)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/python/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/python/package.py
index 513364e05e..3d3e955024 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/python/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/python/package.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class Python(Package):
 
     #: phase
     install_targets = ["install"]
-    build_targets = []  # type: List[str]
+    build_targets: List[str] = []
 
     version("3.11.0", sha256="64424e96e2457abbac899b90f9530985b51eef2905951febd935f0e73414caeb")
     version(
@@ -107,6 +107,13 @@ class Python(Package):
     version("3.7.1", sha256="36c1b81ac29d0f8341f727ef40864d99d8206897be96be73dc34d4739c9c9f06")
     version("3.7.0", sha256="85bb9feb6863e04fb1700b018d9d42d1caac178559ffa453d7e6a436e259fd0d")
 
+    # Python 3.6.15 has been added back only to allow bootstrapping Spack on Python 3.6
+    version(
+        "3.6.15",
+        sha256="54570b7e339e2cfd72b29c7e2fdb47c0b7b18b7412e61de5b463fc087c13b043",
+        deprecated=True,
+    )
+
     extendable = True
 
     # Variants to avoid cyclical dependencies for concretizer
@@ -226,7 +233,7 @@ class Python(Package):
     conflicts("%nvhpc")
 
     # Used to cache various attributes that are expensive to compute
-    _config_vars = {}  # type: Dict[str, Dict[str, str]]
+    _config_vars: Dict[str, Dict[str, str]] = {}
 
     # An in-source build with --enable-optimizations fails for python@3.X
     build_directory = "spack-build"
@@ -727,6 +734,12 @@ class Python(Package):
                 return Executable(path)
 
         else:
+            # Give a last try at rhel8 platform python
+            if self.spec.external and self.prefix == "/usr" and self.spec.satisfies("os=rhel8"):
+                path = os.path.join(self.prefix, "libexec", "platform-python")
+                if os.path.exists(path):
+                    return Executable(path)
+
             msg = "Unable to locate {0} command in {1}"
             raise RuntimeError(msg.format(self.name, self.prefix.bin))