Add file catalogers to selection configuration (#3505)

* add file catalogers to selection configuration Signed-off-by: Alex Goodman <wagoodman@users.noreply.github.com> * fix typos Signed-off-by: Alex Goodman <wagoodman@users.noreply.github.com> * warn when there is conflicting file cataloging configuration Signed-off-by: Alex Goodman <wagoodman@users.noreply.github.com> * allow for explicit removal of all package and file tasks Signed-off-by: Alex Goodman <wagoodman@users.noreply.github.com> * address PR feedback Signed-off-by: Alex Goodman <wagoodman@users.noreply.github.com> --------- Signed-off-by: Alex Goodman <wagoodman@users.noreply.github.com>
2026-11-01 23:16:30 +01:00 · 2025-02-03 19:10:17 +00:00
parent 5e2ba43328
commit 684b6e3f98
25 changed files with 1206 additions and 353 deletions
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+package task
+
+import (
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/filecataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/pkgcataloging"
+)
+
+type CatalogingFactoryConfig struct {
+	ComplianceConfig     cataloging.ComplianceConfig
+	SearchConfig         cataloging.SearchConfig
+	RelationshipsConfig  cataloging.RelationshipsConfig
+	DataGenerationConfig cataloging.DataGenerationConfig
+	PackagesConfig       pkgcataloging.Config
+	FilesConfig          filecataloging.Config
+}
+
+func DefaultCatalogingFactoryConfig() CatalogingFactoryConfig {
+	return CatalogingFactoryConfig{
+		ComplianceConfig:     cataloging.DefaultComplianceConfig(),
+		SearchConfig:         cataloging.DefaultSearchConfig(),
+		RelationshipsConfig:  cataloging.DefaultRelationshipsConfig(),
+		DataGenerationConfig: cataloging.DefaultDataGenerationConfig(),
+		PackagesConfig:       pkgcataloging.DefaultConfig(),
+		FilesConfig:          filecataloging.DefaultConfig(),
+	}
+}
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
 	"github.com/scylladb/go-set/strset"

-	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/pkgcataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging"
 )

 var expressionNodePattern = regexp.MustCompile(`^([a-zA-Z0-9][a-zA-Z0-9-+]*)+$`)
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ func (ec expressionContext) newExpression(exp string, operation Operation, token
 	}
 }

-func newExpressionsFromSelectionRequest(nc *expressionContext, selectionRequest pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest) Expressions {
+func newExpressionsFromSelectionRequest(nc *expressionContext, selectionRequest cataloging.SelectionRequest) Expressions {
 	var all Expressions

 	for _, exp := range selectionRequest.DefaultNamesOrTags {
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"

-	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/pkgcataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging"
 )

 func Test_newExpressionsFromSelectionRequest(t *testing.T) {
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func Test_newExpressionsFromSelectionRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {

-			req := pkgcataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults(tt.basis...).WithExpression(tt.expressions...)
+			req := cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults(tt.basis...).WithExpression(tt.expressions...)

 			result := newExpressionsFromSelectionRequest(nc, req)
 			if tt.expectedErrors != nil {
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package task
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/scylladb/go-set/strset"
+)
+
+type factory func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task
+
+type Factories []factory
+
+func (f Factories) Tasks(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) ([]Task, error) {
+	var allTasks []Task
+	taskNames := strset.New()
+	duplicateTaskNames := strset.New()
+	var err error
+	for _, fact := range f {
+		tsk := fact(cfg)
+		if tsk == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		tskName := tsk.Name()
+		if taskNames.Has(tskName) {
+			duplicateTaskNames.Add(tskName)
+		}
+
+		allTasks = append(allTasks, tsk)
+		taskNames.Add(tskName)
+	}
+	if duplicateTaskNames.Size() > 0 {
+		names := duplicateTaskNames.List()
+		sort.Strings(names)
+		err = fmt.Errorf("duplicate cataloger task names: %v", strings.Join(names, ", "))
+	}
+
+	return allTasks, err
+}
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (

 	"github.com/anchore/syft/internal/sbomsync"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/artifact"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/filecataloging"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/file"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/file/cataloger/executable"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/file/cataloger/filecontent"
@@ -15,14 +16,27 @@ import (
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/sbom"
 )

-func NewFileDigestCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, hashers ...crypto.Hash) Task {
-	if selection == file.NoFilesSelection || len(hashers) == 0 {
-		return nil
+func DefaultFileTaskFactories() Factories {
+	return Factories{
+		newFileDigestCatalogerTaskFactory("digest"),
+		newFileMetadataCatalogerTaskFactory("file-metadata"),
+		newFileContentCatalogerTaskFactory("content"),
+		newExecutableCatalogerTaskFactory("binary-metadata"),
 	}
+}

-	digestsCataloger := filedigest.NewCataloger(hashers)
+func newFileDigestCatalogerTaskFactory(tags ...string) factory {
+	return func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task {
+		return newFileDigestCatalogerTask(cfg.FilesConfig.Selection, cfg.FilesConfig.Hashers, tags...)
+	}
+}

+func newFileDigestCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, hashers []crypto.Hash, tags ...string) Task {
 	fn := func(ctx context.Context, resolver file.Resolver, builder sbomsync.Builder) error {
+		if selection == file.NoFilesSelection || len(hashers) == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		accessor := builder.(sbomsync.Accessor)

 		coordinates, ok := coordinatesForSelection(selection, builder.(sbomsync.Accessor))
@@ -30,7 +44,7 @@ func NewFileDigestCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, hashers ...crypto.Hash
 			return nil
 		}

-		result, err := digestsCataloger.Catalog(ctx, resolver, coordinates...)
+		result, err := filedigest.NewCataloger(hashers).Catalog(ctx, resolver, coordinates...)

 		accessor.WriteToSBOM(func(sbom *sbom.SBOM) {
 			sbom.Artifacts.FileDigests = result
@@ -39,17 +53,21 @@ func NewFileDigestCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, hashers ...crypto.Hash
 		return err
 	}

-	return NewTask("file-digest-cataloger", fn)
+	return NewTask("file-digest-cataloger", fn, commonFileTags(tags)...)
 }

-func NewFileMetadataCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection) Task {
-	if selection == file.NoFilesSelection {
-		return nil
+func newFileMetadataCatalogerTaskFactory(tags ...string) factory {
+	return func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task {
+		return newFileMetadataCatalogerTask(cfg.FilesConfig.Selection, tags...)
 	}
+}

-	metadataCataloger := filemetadata.NewCataloger()
-
+func newFileMetadataCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, tags ...string) Task {
 	fn := func(ctx context.Context, resolver file.Resolver, builder sbomsync.Builder) error {
+		if selection == file.NoFilesSelection {
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		accessor := builder.(sbomsync.Accessor)

 		coordinates, ok := coordinatesForSelection(selection, builder.(sbomsync.Accessor))
@@ -57,7 +75,7 @@ func NewFileMetadataCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection) Task {
 			return nil
 		}

-		result, err := metadataCataloger.Catalog(ctx, resolver, coordinates...)
+		result, err := filemetadata.NewCataloger().Catalog(ctx, resolver, coordinates...)

 		accessor.WriteToSBOM(func(sbom *sbom.SBOM) {
 			sbom.Artifacts.FileMetadata = result
@@ -66,20 +84,24 @@ func NewFileMetadataCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection) Task {
 		return err
 	}

-	return NewTask("file-metadata-cataloger", fn)
+	return NewTask("file-metadata-cataloger", fn, commonFileTags(tags)...)
 }

-func NewFileContentCatalogerTask(cfg filecontent.Config) Task {
-	if len(cfg.Globs) == 0 {
-		return nil
+func newFileContentCatalogerTaskFactory(tags ...string) factory {
+	return func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task {
+		return newFileContentCatalogerTask(cfg.FilesConfig.Content, tags...)
 	}
+}

-	cat := filecontent.NewCataloger(cfg)
-
+func newFileContentCatalogerTask(cfg filecontent.Config, tags ...string) Task {
 	fn := func(ctx context.Context, resolver file.Resolver, builder sbomsync.Builder) error {
+		if len(cfg.Globs) == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		accessor := builder.(sbomsync.Accessor)

-		result, err := cat.Catalog(ctx, resolver)
+		result, err := filecontent.NewCataloger(cfg).Catalog(ctx, resolver)

 		accessor.WriteToSBOM(func(sbom *sbom.SBOM) {
 			sbom.Artifacts.FileContents = result
@@ -88,20 +110,24 @@ func NewFileContentCatalogerTask(cfg filecontent.Config) Task {
 		return err
 	}

-	return NewTask("file-content-cataloger", fn)
+	return NewTask("file-content-cataloger", fn, commonFileTags(tags)...)
 }

-func NewExecutableCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, cfg executable.Config) Task {
-	if selection == file.NoFilesSelection {
-		return nil
+func newExecutableCatalogerTaskFactory(tags ...string) factory {
+	return func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task {
+		return newExecutableCatalogerTask(cfg.FilesConfig.Selection, cfg.FilesConfig.Executable, tags...)
 	}
+}

-	cat := executable.NewCataloger(cfg)
-
+func newExecutableCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, cfg executable.Config, tags ...string) Task {
 	fn := func(_ context.Context, resolver file.Resolver, builder sbomsync.Builder) error {
+		if selection == file.NoFilesSelection {
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		accessor := builder.(sbomsync.Accessor)

-		result, err := cat.Catalog(resolver)
+		result, err := executable.NewCataloger(cfg).Catalog(resolver)

 		accessor.WriteToSBOM(func(sbom *sbom.SBOM) {
 			sbom.Artifacts.Executables = result
@@ -110,7 +136,7 @@ func NewExecutableCatalogerTask(selection file.Selection, cfg executable.Config)
 		return err
 	}

-	return NewTask("file-executable-cataloger", fn)
+	return NewTask("file-executable-cataloger", fn, commonFileTags(tags)...)
 }

 // TODO: this should be replaced with a fix that allows passing a coordinate or location iterator to the cataloger
@@ -154,3 +180,8 @@ func coordinatesForSelection(selection file.Selection, accessor sbomsync.Accesso

 	return nil, false
 }
+
+func commonFileTags(tags []string) []string {
+	tags = append(tags, filecataloging.FileTag)
+	return tags
+}
@@ -3,12 +3,9 @@ package task
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"sort"
 	"strings"
 	"unicode"

-	"github.com/scylladb/go-set/strset"
-
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/internal/bus"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/internal/log"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/internal/relationship"
@@ -23,67 +20,18 @@ import (
 	cpeutils "github.com/anchore/syft/syft/pkg/cataloger/common/cpe"
 )

-type packageTaskFactory func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task
-
-type PackageTaskFactories []packageTaskFactory
-
-type CatalogingFactoryConfig struct {
-	ComplianceConfig     cataloging.ComplianceConfig
-	SearchConfig         cataloging.SearchConfig
-	RelationshipsConfig  cataloging.RelationshipsConfig
-	DataGenerationConfig cataloging.DataGenerationConfig
-	PackagesConfig       pkgcataloging.Config
-}
-
-func DefaultCatalogingFactoryConfig() CatalogingFactoryConfig {
-	return CatalogingFactoryConfig{
-		ComplianceConfig:     cataloging.DefaultComplianceConfig(),
-		SearchConfig:         cataloging.DefaultSearchConfig(),
-		RelationshipsConfig:  cataloging.DefaultRelationshipsConfig(),
-		DataGenerationConfig: cataloging.DefaultDataGenerationConfig(),
-		PackagesConfig:       pkgcataloging.DefaultConfig(),
-	}
-}
-
-func newPackageTaskFactory(catalogerFactory func(CatalogingFactoryConfig) pkg.Cataloger, tags ...string) packageTaskFactory {
+func newPackageTaskFactory(catalogerFactory func(CatalogingFactoryConfig) pkg.Cataloger, tags ...string) factory {
 	return func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task {
 		return NewPackageTask(cfg, catalogerFactory(cfg), tags...)
 	}
 }

-func newSimplePackageTaskFactory(catalogerFactory func() pkg.Cataloger, tags ...string) packageTaskFactory {
+func newSimplePackageTaskFactory(catalogerFactory func() pkg.Cataloger, tags ...string) factory {
 	return func(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) Task {
 		return NewPackageTask(cfg, catalogerFactory(), tags...)
 	}
 }

-func (f PackageTaskFactories) Tasks(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig) ([]Task, error) {
-	var allTasks []Task
-	taskNames := strset.New()
-	duplicateTaskNames := strset.New()
-	var err error
-	for _, factory := range f {
-		tsk := factory(cfg)
-		if tsk == nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		tskName := tsk.Name()
-		if taskNames.Has(tskName) {
-			duplicateTaskNames.Add(tskName)
-		}
-
-		allTasks = append(allTasks, tsk)
-		taskNames.Add(tskName)
-	}
-	if duplicateTaskNames.Size() > 0 {
-		names := duplicateTaskNames.List()
-		sort.Strings(names)
-		err = fmt.Errorf("duplicate cataloger task names: %v", strings.Join(names, ", "))
-	}
-
-	return allTasks, err
-}
-
 // NewPackageTask creates a Task function for a generic pkg.Cataloger, honoring the common configuration options.
 func NewPackageTask(cfg CatalogingFactoryConfig, c pkg.Cataloger, tags ...string) Task {
 	fn := func(ctx context.Context, resolver file.Resolver, sbom sbomsync.Builder) error {
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ const (
 )

 //nolint:funlen
-func DefaultPackageTaskFactories() PackageTaskFactories {
-	return []packageTaskFactory{
+func DefaultPackageTaskFactories() Factories {
+	return []factory{
 		// OS package installed catalogers ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 		newSimplePackageTaskFactory(arch.NewDBCataloger, pkgcataloging.DirectoryTag, pkgcataloging.InstalledTag, pkgcataloging.ImageTag, pkgcataloging.OSTag, "linux", "alpm", "archlinux"),
 		newSimplePackageTaskFactory(alpine.NewDBCataloger, pkgcataloging.DirectoryTag, pkgcataloging.InstalledTag, pkgcataloging.ImageTag, pkgcataloging.OSTag, "linux", "apk", "alpine"),
@@ -3,17 +3,19 @@ package task
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
+	"strings"

 	"github.com/scylladb/go-set/strset"

 	"github.com/anchore/syft/internal/log"
-	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/pkgcataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/filecataloging"
 )

 // Selection represents the users request for a subset of tasks to run and the resulting set of task names that were
 // selected. Additionally, all tokens that were matched on to reach the returned conclusion are also provided.
 type Selection struct {
-	Request      pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest
+	Request      cataloging.SelectionRequest
 	Result       *strset.Set
 	TokensByTask map[string]TokenSelection
 }
@@ -52,7 +54,18 @@ func newSelection() Selection {
 // Select parses the given expressions as two sets: expressions that represent a "set" operation, and expressions that
 // represent all other operations. The parsed expressions are then evaluated against the given tasks to return
 // a subset (or the same) set of tasks.
-func Select(allTasks []Task, selectionRequest pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest) ([]Task, Selection, error) {
+func Select(allTasks []Task, selectionRequest cataloging.SelectionRequest) ([]Task, Selection, error) {
+	ensureDefaultSelectionHasFiles(&selectionRequest, allTasks)
+
+	return _select(allTasks, selectionRequest)
+}
+
+func _select(allTasks []Task, selectionRequest cataloging.SelectionRequest) ([]Task, Selection, error) {
+	if selectionRequest.IsEmpty() {
+		selection := newSelection()
+		selection.Request = selectionRequest
+		return nil, selection, nil
+	}
 	nodes := newExpressionsFromSelectionRequest(newExpressionContext(allTasks), selectionRequest)

 	finalTasks, selection := selectByExpressions(allTasks, nodes)
@@ -62,6 +75,142 @@ func Select(allTasks []Task, selectionRequest pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest) ([
 	return finalTasks, selection, nodes.Validate()
 }

+// ensureDefaultSelectionHasFiles ensures that the default selection request has the "file" tag, as this is a required
+// for backwards compatibility (when catalogers were only for packages and not for separate groups of tasks).
+func ensureDefaultSelectionHasFiles(selectionRequest *cataloging.SelectionRequest, allTasks ...[]Task) {
+	for _, ts := range allTasks {
+		_, leftOver := tagsOrNamesThatTaskGroupRespondsTo(ts, strset.New(filecataloging.FileTag))
+		if leftOver.Has(filecataloging.FileTag) {
+			// the given set of tasks do not respond to file, so don't include it in the default selection
+			continue
+		}
+
+		defaultNamesOrTags := strset.New(selectionRequest.DefaultNamesOrTags...)
+		removals := strset.New(selectionRequest.RemoveNamesOrTags...)
+		missingFileIshTag := !defaultNamesOrTags.Has(filecataloging.FileTag) && !defaultNamesOrTags.Has("all") && !defaultNamesOrTags.Has("default")
+		if missingFileIshTag && !removals.Has(filecataloging.FileTag) {
+			log.Warnf("adding '%s' tag to the default cataloger selection, to override add '-%s' to the cataloger selection request", filecataloging.FileTag, filecataloging.FileTag)
+			selectionRequest.DefaultNamesOrTags = append(selectionRequest.DefaultNamesOrTags, filecataloging.FileTag)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// SelectInGroups is a convenience function that allows for selecting tasks from multiple groups of tasks. The original
+// request is split into sub-requests, where only tokens that are relevant to the given group of tasks are considered.
+// If tokens are passed that are not relevant to any group of tasks, an error is returned.
+func SelectInGroups(taskGroups [][]Task, selectionRequest cataloging.SelectionRequest) ([][]Task, Selection, error) {
+	ensureDefaultSelectionHasFiles(&selectionRequest, taskGroups...)
+
+	reqs, errs := splitCatalogerSelectionRequest(selectionRequest, taskGroups)
+	if errs != nil {
+		return nil, Selection{
+			Request: selectionRequest,
+		}, errs
+	}
+
+	var finalTasks [][]Task
+	var selections []Selection
+	for idx, req := range reqs {
+		tskGroup := taskGroups[idx]
+		subFinalTasks, subSelection, err := _select(tskGroup, req)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, Selection{
+				Request: selectionRequest,
+			}, err
+		}
+		finalTasks = append(finalTasks, subFinalTasks)
+		selections = append(selections, subSelection)
+	}
+
+	return finalTasks, mergeSelections(selections, selectionRequest), nil
+}
+
+func mergeSelections(selections []Selection, ogRequest cataloging.SelectionRequest) Selection {
+	finalSelection := newSelection()
+	for _, s := range selections {
+		finalSelection.Result.Add(s.Result.List()...)
+		for name, tokenSelection := range s.TokensByTask {
+			if existing, exists := finalSelection.TokensByTask[name]; exists {
+				existing.merge(tokenSelection)
+				finalSelection.TokensByTask[name] = existing
+			} else {
+				finalSelection.TokensByTask[name] = tokenSelection
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	finalSelection.Request = ogRequest
+	return finalSelection
+}
+
+func splitCatalogerSelectionRequest(req cataloging.SelectionRequest, selectablePkgTaskGroups [][]Task) ([]cataloging.SelectionRequest, error) {
+	requestTagsOrNames := allRequestReferences(req)
+	leftoverTags := strset.New()
+	usedTagsAndNames := strset.New()
+	var usedTagGroups []*strset.Set
+	for _, taskGroup := range selectablePkgTaskGroups {
+		selectedTagOrNames, remainingTagsOrNames := tagsOrNamesThatTaskGroupRespondsTo(taskGroup, requestTagsOrNames)
+		leftoverTags = strset.Union(leftoverTags, remainingTagsOrNames)
+		usedTagGroups = append(usedTagGroups, selectedTagOrNames)
+		usedTagsAndNames.Add(selectedTagOrNames.List()...)
+	}
+
+	leftoverTags = strset.Difference(leftoverTags, usedTagsAndNames)
+	leftoverTags.Remove("all")
+
+	if leftoverTags.Size() > 0 {
+		l := leftoverTags.List()
+		sort.Strings(l)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no cataloger tasks respond to the following selections: %v", strings.Join(l, ", "))
+	}
+
+	var newSelections []cataloging.SelectionRequest
+	for _, tags := range usedTagGroups {
+		newSelections = append(newSelections, newSelectionWithTags(req, tags))
+	}
+
+	return newSelections, nil
+}
+
+func newSelectionWithTags(req cataloging.SelectionRequest, tags *strset.Set) cataloging.SelectionRequest {
+	return cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+		DefaultNamesOrTags: filterTags(req.DefaultNamesOrTags, tags),
+		SubSelectTags:      filterTags(req.SubSelectTags, tags),
+		AddNames:           filterTags(req.AddNames, tags),
+		RemoveNamesOrTags:  filterTags(req.RemoveNamesOrTags, tags),
+	}
+}
+
+func filterTags(reqTags []string, filterTags *strset.Set) []string {
+	var filtered []string
+	for _, tag := range reqTags {
+		if filterTags.Has(tag) {
+			filtered = append(filtered, tag)
+		}
+	}
+	return filtered
+}
+
+func tagsOrNamesThatTaskGroupRespondsTo(tasks []Task, requestTagsOrNames *strset.Set) (*strset.Set, *strset.Set) {
+	positiveRefs := strset.New()
+	for _, t := range tasks {
+		if sel, ok := t.(Selector); ok {
+			positiveRefs.Add("all") // everything responds to "all"
+			positiveRefs.Add(strset.Intersection(requestTagsOrNames, strset.New(sel.Selectors()...)).List()...)
+		}
+		positiveRefs.Add(t.Name())
+	}
+	return positiveRefs, strset.Difference(requestTagsOrNames, positiveRefs)
+}
+
+func allRequestReferences(s cataloging.SelectionRequest) *strset.Set {
+	st := strset.New()
+	st.Add(s.DefaultNamesOrTags...)
+	st.Add(s.SubSelectTags...)
+	st.Add(s.AddNames...)
+	st.Add(s.RemoveNamesOrTags...)
+	return st
+}
+
 // selectByExpressions the set of tasks to run based on the given expression(s).
 func selectByExpressions(ts tasks, nodes Expressions) (tasks, Selection) {
 	if len(nodes) == 0 {
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"

 	"github.com/anchore/syft/internal/sbomsync"
-	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging/pkgcataloging"
+	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/cataloging"
 	"github.com/anchore/syft/syft/file"
 )

@@ -21,45 +21,54 @@ func dummyTask(name string, tags ...string) Task {
 }

 // note: this test fixture does not need to be kept up to date here, but makes a great test subject
-func createDummyTasks() tasks {
+func createDummyPackageTasks() tasks {
 	return []Task{
 		// OS package installed catalogers
-		dummyTask("alpm-db-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "alpm", "archlinux"),
-		dummyTask("apk-db-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "apk", "alpine"),
-		dummyTask("dpkg-db-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "dpkg", "debian"),
-		dummyTask("portage-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "portage", "gentoo"),
-		dummyTask("rpm-db-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "rpm", "redhat"),
+		dummyTask("alpm-db-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "alpm", "archlinux"),
+		dummyTask("apk-db-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "apk", "alpine"),
+		dummyTask("dpkg-db-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "dpkg", "debian"),
+		dummyTask("portage-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "portage", "gentoo"),
+		dummyTask("rpm-db-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "os", "rpm", "redhat"),

 		// OS package declared catalogers
-		dummyTask("rpm-archive-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "os", "rpm", "redhat"),
+		dummyTask("rpm-archive-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "os", "rpm", "redhat"),

 		// language-specific package installed catalogers
-		dummyTask("conan-info-cataloger", "installed", "image", "language", "cpp", "conan"),
-		dummyTask("javascript-package-cataloger", "installed", "image", "language", "javascript", "node"),
-		dummyTask("php-composer-installed-cataloger", "installed", "image", "language", "php", "composer"),
-		dummyTask("ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger", "installed", "image", "language", "ruby", "gem", "gemspec"),
-		dummyTask("rust-cargo-lock-cataloger", "installed", "image", "language", "rust", "binary"),
+		dummyTask("conan-info-cataloger", "package", "installed", "image", "language", "cpp", "conan"),
+		dummyTask("javascript-package-cataloger", "package", "installed", "image", "language", "javascript", "node"),
+		dummyTask("php-composer-installed-cataloger", "package", "installed", "image", "language", "php", "composer"),
+		dummyTask("ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger", "package", "installed", "image", "language", "ruby", "gem", "gemspec"),
+		dummyTask("rust-cargo-lock-cataloger", "package", "installed", "image", "language", "rust", "binary"),

 		// language-specific package declared catalogers
-		dummyTask("conan-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "language", "cpp", "conan"),
-		dummyTask("dart-pubspec-lock-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "language", "dart"),
-		dummyTask("dotnet-deps-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "language", "dotnet", "c#"),
-		dummyTask("elixir-mix-lock-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "language", "elixir"),
-		dummyTask("erlang-rebar-lock-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "language", "erlang"),
-		dummyTask("javascript-lock-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "language", "javascript", "node", "npm"),
+		dummyTask("conan-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "language", "cpp", "conan"),
+		dummyTask("dart-pubspec-lock-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "language", "dart"),
+		dummyTask("dotnet-deps-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "language", "dotnet", "c#"),
+		dummyTask("elixir-mix-lock-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "language", "elixir"),
+		dummyTask("erlang-rebar-lock-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "language", "erlang"),
+		dummyTask("javascript-lock-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "language", "javascript", "node", "npm"),

 		// language-specific package for both image and directory scans (but not necessarily declared)
-		dummyTask("dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "dotnet", "c#"),
-		dummyTask("python-installed-package-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "python"),
-		dummyTask("go-module-binary-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "go", "golang", "gomod", "binary"),
-		dummyTask("java-archive-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "java", "maven"),
-		dummyTask("graalvm-native-image-cataloger", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "java"),
+		dummyTask("dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "dotnet", "c#"),
+		dummyTask("python-installed-package-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "python"),
+		dummyTask("go-module-binary-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "go", "golang", "gomod", "binary"),
+		dummyTask("java-archive-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "java", "maven"),
+		dummyTask("graalvm-native-image-cataloger", "package", "directory", "installed", "image", "language", "java"),

 		// other package catalogers
-		dummyTask("binary-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "image", "binary"),
-		dummyTask("github-actions-usage-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "github", "github-actions"),
-		dummyTask("github-action-workflow-usage-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "github", "github-actions"),
-		dummyTask("sbom-cataloger", "declared", "directory", "image", "sbom"),
+		dummyTask("binary-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "image", "binary"),
+		dummyTask("github-actions-usage-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "github", "github-actions"),
+		dummyTask("github-action-workflow-usage-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "github", "github-actions"),
+		dummyTask("sbom-cataloger", "package", "declared", "directory", "image", "sbom"),
+	}
+}
+
+func createDummyFileTasks() tasks {
+	return []Task{
+		dummyTask("file-content-cataloger", "file", "content"),
+		dummyTask("file-metadata-cataloger", "file", "metadata"),
+		dummyTask("file-digest-cataloger", "file", "digest"),
+		dummyTask("file-executable-cataloger", "file", "binary-metadata"),
 	}
 }

@@ -72,7 +81,7 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 		expressions []string
 		wantNames   []string
 		wantTokens  map[string]TokenSelection
-		wantRequest pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest
+		wantRequest cataloging.SelectionRequest
 		wantErr     assert.ErrorAssertionFunc
 	}{
 		{
@@ -82,11 +91,11 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 			expressions: []string{},
 			wantNames:   []string{},
 			wantTokens:  map[string]TokenSelection{},
-			wantRequest: pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest{},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{},
 		},
 		{
 			name:     "use default tasks",
-			allTasks: createDummyTasks(),
+			allTasks: createDummyPackageTasks(),
 			basis: []string{
 				"image",
 			},
@@ -129,13 +138,13 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 				"binary-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
 				"sbom-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
 			},
-			wantRequest: pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest{
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
 				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"image"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name:     "select, add, and remove tasks",
-			allTasks: createDummyTasks(),
+			allTasks: createDummyPackageTasks(),
 			basis: []string{
 				"image",
 			},
@@ -175,7 +184,7 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 				"binary-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
 				"sbom-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
 			},
-			wantRequest: pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest{
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
 				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"image"},
 				SubSelectTags:      []string{"os"},
 				RemoveNamesOrTags:  []string{"dpkg"},
@@ -184,7 +193,7 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			name:     "allow for partial selections",
-			allTasks: createDummyTasks(),
+			allTasks: createDummyPackageTasks(),
 			basis: []string{
 				"image",
 			},
@@ -228,7 +237,7 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 				"binary-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
 				"sbom-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
 			},
-			wantRequest: pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest{
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
 				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"image"},
 				SubSelectTags:      []string{"os", "rust-cargo-lock-cataloger"},
 				RemoveNamesOrTags:  []string{"dpkg"},
@@ -238,7 +247,7 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		{
 			name:     "select all tasks",
-			allTasks: createDummyTasks(),
+			allTasks: createDummyPackageTasks(),
 			basis: []string{
 				"all",
 			},
@@ -299,13 +308,13 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 				"github-action-workflow-usage-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"all"}, nil),
 				"sbom-cataloger":                         newTokenSelection([]string{"all"}, nil),
 			},
-			wantRequest: pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest{
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
 				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"all"},
 			},
 		},
 		{
 			name:     "set default with multiple tags",
-			allTasks: createDummyTasks(),
+			allTasks: createDummyPackageTasks(),
 			basis: []string{
 				"gemspec",
 				"python",
@@ -319,10 +328,31 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 				"ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"gemspec"}, nil),
 				"python-installed-package-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"python"}, nil),
 			},
-			wantRequest: pkgcataloging.SelectionRequest{
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
 				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"gemspec", "python"},
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name:        "automatically add file to default tags",
+			allTasks:    createDummyFileTasks(),
+			basis:       []string{},
+			expressions: []string{},
+			wantNames: []string{
+				"file-content-cataloger",
+				"file-metadata-cataloger",
+				"file-digest-cataloger",
+				"file-executable-cataloger",
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				"file-content-cataloger":    newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"file"},
+			},
+		},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -330,7 +360,7 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 				tt.wantErr = assert.NoError
 			}

-			req := pkgcataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults(tt.basis...).WithExpression(tt.expressions...)
+			req := cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults(tt.basis...).WithExpression(tt.expressions...)

 			got, gotEvidence, err := Select(tt.allTasks, req)
 			tt.wantErr(t, err)
@@ -367,3 +397,391 @@ func TestSelect(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+func TestSelectInGroups(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name         string
+		taskGroups   [][]Task
+		selectionReq cataloging.SelectionRequest
+		wantGroups   [][]string
+		wantTokens   map[string]TokenSelection
+		wantRequest  cataloging.SelectionRequest
+		wantErr      assert.ErrorAssertionFunc
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "select only within the file tasks (leave package tasks alone)",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().
+				WithDefaults("image"). // note: file missing
+				WithSubSelections("content", "digest"),
+			wantGroups: [][]string{
+				{
+					// this is the original, untouched package task list
+					"alpm-db-cataloger",
+					"apk-db-cataloger",
+					"dpkg-db-cataloger",
+					"portage-cataloger",
+					"rpm-db-cataloger",
+					"conan-info-cataloger",
+					"javascript-package-cataloger",
+					"php-composer-installed-cataloger",
+					"ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger",
+					"rust-cargo-lock-cataloger",
+					"dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger",
+					"python-installed-package-cataloger",
+					"go-module-binary-cataloger",
+					"java-archive-cataloger",
+					"graalvm-native-image-cataloger",
+					"binary-cataloger",
+					"sbom-cataloger",
+				},
+				{
+					// this has been filtered based on the request
+					"file-content-cataloger",
+					"file-digest-cataloger",
+				},
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				// packages
+				"alpm-db-cataloger":                    newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"apk-db-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"binary-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"conan-info-cataloger":                 newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"dpkg-db-cataloger":                    newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"go-module-binary-cataloger":           newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"graalvm-native-image-cataloger":       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"java-archive-cataloger":               newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"javascript-package-cataloger":         newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"php-composer-installed-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"portage-cataloger":                    newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"python-installed-package-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"rpm-db-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"rust-cargo-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"sbom-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				// files
+				"file-content-cataloger":    newTokenSelection([]string{"content", "file"}, nil),
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"digest", "file"}, nil),
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"image", "file"}, // note: file automatically added
+				SubSelectTags:      []string{"content", "digest"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.NoError,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "select package tasks (leave file tasks alone)",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults("image").WithSubSelections("os"),
+			wantGroups: [][]string{
+				{
+					// filtered based on the request
+					"alpm-db-cataloger",
+					"apk-db-cataloger",
+					"dpkg-db-cataloger",
+					"portage-cataloger",
+					"rpm-db-cataloger",
+				},
+				{
+					// this is the original, untouched file task list
+					"file-content-cataloger",
+					"file-metadata-cataloger",
+					"file-digest-cataloger",
+					"file-executable-cataloger",
+				},
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				// packages - os
+				"alpm-db-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"apk-db-cataloger":      newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"rpm-archive-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, nil),
+				"rpm-db-cataloger":      newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"portage-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"dpkg-db-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				// packages - remaining
+				"binary-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"conan-info-cataloger":                 newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"go-module-binary-cataloger":           newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"graalvm-native-image-cataloger":       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"java-archive-cataloger":               newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"javascript-package-cataloger":         newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"php-composer-installed-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"python-installed-package-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"rust-cargo-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"sbom-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				// files
+				"file-content-cataloger":    newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"image", "file"},
+				SubSelectTags:      []string{"os"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.NoError,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "select only file tasks (default)",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults("file"),
+			wantGroups: [][]string{
+				// filtered based on the request
+				nil,
+				{
+					// this is the original, untouched file task list
+					"file-content-cataloger",
+					"file-metadata-cataloger",
+					"file-digest-cataloger",
+					"file-executable-cataloger",
+				},
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				// files
+				"file-content-cataloger":    newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"file"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.NoError,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "select only file tasks (via removal of package)",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults("file", "image").WithRemovals("package"),
+			wantGroups: [][]string{
+				// filtered based on the request
+				nil,
+				{
+					// this is the original, untouched file task list
+					"file-content-cataloger",
+					"file-metadata-cataloger",
+					"file-digest-cataloger",
+					"file-executable-cataloger",
+				},
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				// packages
+				"alpm-db-cataloger":                      newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"apk-db-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"binary-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"conan-info-cataloger":                   newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"dpkg-db-cataloger":                      newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"go-module-binary-cataloger":             newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"graalvm-native-image-cataloger":         newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"java-archive-cataloger":                 newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"javascript-package-cataloger":           newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"php-composer-installed-cataloger":       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"portage-cataloger":                      newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"python-installed-package-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"rpm-db-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger":       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"rust-cargo-lock-cataloger":              newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"sbom-cataloger":                         newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, []string{"package"}),
+				"rpm-archive-cataloger":                  newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"conan-cataloger":                        newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"dart-pubspec-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"dotnet-deps-cataloger":                  newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"elixir-mix-lock-cataloger":              newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"erlang-rebar-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"javascript-lock-cataloger":              newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"github-actions-usage-cataloger":         newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				"github-action-workflow-usage-cataloger": newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"package"}),
+				// files
+				"file-content-cataloger":    newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"file", "image"},
+				RemoveNamesOrTags:  []string{"package"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.NoError,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "select file and package tasks",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().
+				WithDefaults("image").
+				WithSubSelections("os", "content", "digest"),
+			wantGroups: [][]string{
+				{
+					// filtered based on the request
+					"alpm-db-cataloger",
+					"apk-db-cataloger",
+					"dpkg-db-cataloger",
+					"portage-cataloger",
+					"rpm-db-cataloger",
+				},
+				{
+					// filtered based on the request
+					"file-content-cataloger",
+					"file-digest-cataloger",
+				},
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				// packages - os
+				"alpm-db-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"apk-db-cataloger":      newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"rpm-archive-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, nil),
+				"rpm-db-cataloger":      newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"portage-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				"dpkg-db-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"os", "image"}, nil),
+				// packages - remaining
+				"binary-cataloger":                     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"conan-info-cataloger":                 newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"dotnet-portable-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"go-module-binary-cataloger":           newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"graalvm-native-image-cataloger":       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"java-archive-cataloger":               newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"javascript-package-cataloger":         newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"php-composer-installed-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"python-installed-package-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"ruby-installed-gemspec-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"rust-cargo-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				"sbom-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection([]string{"image"}, nil),
+				// files
+				"file-content-cataloger":    newTokenSelection([]string{"file", "content"}, nil), // note extra tags
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"file", "digest"}, nil),  // note extra tags
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger":   newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"image", "file"},
+				SubSelectTags:      []string{"os", "content", "digest"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.NoError,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "complex selection with multiple operators across groups",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().
+				WithDefaults("os"). // note: no file tag present
+				WithExpression("+github-actions-usage-cataloger", "-dpkg", "-digest", "content", "+file-metadata-cataloger", "-declared"),
+			wantGroups: [][]string{
+				{
+					"alpm-db-cataloger",
+					"apk-db-cataloger",
+					"portage-cataloger",
+					"rpm-db-cataloger",
+					"github-actions-usage-cataloger",
+				},
+				{
+					"file-content-cataloger",
+					"file-metadata-cataloger",
+				},
+			},
+			wantTokens: map[string]TokenSelection{
+				// selected package tasks
+				"alpm-db-cataloger":              newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, nil),
+				"apk-db-cataloger":               newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, nil),
+				"dpkg-db-cataloger":              newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, []string{"dpkg"}),
+				"portage-cataloger":              newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, nil),
+				"rpm-archive-cataloger":          newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, []string{"declared"}),
+				"rpm-db-cataloger":               newTokenSelection([]string{"os"}, nil),
+				"github-actions-usage-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"github-actions-usage-cataloger"}, []string{"declared"}),
+
+				// selected file tasks
+				"file-content-cataloger":  newTokenSelection([]string{"content", "file"}, nil),
+				"file-metadata-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file-metadata-cataloger", "file"}, nil),
+
+				// removed package tasks
+				"binary-cataloger":                       newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"conan-cataloger":                        newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"dart-pubspec-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"dotnet-deps-cataloger":                  newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"elixir-mix-lock-cataloger":              newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"erlang-rebar-lock-cataloger":            newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"github-action-workflow-usage-cataloger": newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"javascript-lock-cataloger":              newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+				"sbom-cataloger":                         newTokenSelection(nil, []string{"declared"}),
+
+				// removed file tasks
+				"file-executable-cataloger": newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, nil),
+				"file-digest-cataloger":     newTokenSelection([]string{"file"}, []string{"digest"}),
+			},
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"os", "file"}, // note: file added automatically
+				SubSelectTags:      []string{"content"},
+				RemoveNamesOrTags:  []string{"dpkg", "digest", "declared"},
+				AddNames:           []string{"github-actions-usage-cataloger", "file-metadata-cataloger"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.NoError,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "invalid tag",
+			taskGroups: [][]Task{
+				createDummyPackageTasks(),
+				createDummyFileTasks(),
+			},
+			selectionReq: cataloging.NewSelectionRequest().WithDefaults("invalid"),
+			wantGroups:   nil,
+			wantTokens:   nil,
+			wantRequest: cataloging.SelectionRequest{
+				DefaultNamesOrTags: []string{"invalid", "file"},
+			},
+			wantErr: assert.Error,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if tt.wantErr == nil {
+				tt.wantErr = assert.NoError
+			}
+
+			gotGroups, gotSelection, err := SelectInGroups(tt.taskGroups, tt.selectionReq)
+			tt.wantErr(t, err)
+			if err != nil {
+				// dev note: this is useful for debugging when needed...
+				//for _, e := range gotEvidence.Request.Expressions {
+				//	t.Logf("expression (errors %q): %#v", e.Errors, e)
+				//}
+
+				// note: we DON'T bail early in validations... this is because we should always return the full set of
+				// of selected tasks and surrounding evidence.
+			}
+
+			var gotGroupNames [][]string
+			for _, group := range gotGroups {
+				var names []string
+				for _, task := range group {
+					names = append(names, task.Name())
+				}
+				gotGroupNames = append(gotGroupNames, names)
+			}
+
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantGroups, gotGroupNames)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantTokens, gotSelection.TokensByTask)
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantRequest, gotSelection.Request)
+		})
+	}
+}