feat(api): add Patch<T> enum for JSON merge-patch semantics

Introduce a three-state Patch<T> (Unchanged / Remove / Set) and a
serde helper patch_field that distinguishes an omitted JSON field
from an explicit null. Wired up next as the field type for the
removable settings on PATCH /v1/users/{user}.

src/api/mod.rs

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ mod config_store;
 mod events;
 mod http_utils;
 mod model;
+mod patch;
 mod runtime_edge;
 mod runtime_init;
 mod runtime_min;

src/api/patch.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+use serde::Deserialize;
+
+/// Three-state field for JSON Merge Patch semantics on the `PATCH /v1/users/{user}`
+/// endpoint.
+///
+/// `Unchanged` is produced when the JSON body omits the field entirely and tells the
+/// handler to leave the corresponding configuration entry untouched. `Remove` is
+/// produced when the JSON body sets the field to `null` and instructs the handler to
+/// drop the entry from the corresponding access HashMap. `Set` carries an explicit
+/// new value, including zero, which is preserved verbatim in the configuration.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub(super) enum Patch<T> {
+    Unchanged,
+    Remove,
+    Set(T),
+}
+
+impl<T> Default for Patch<T> {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::Unchanged
+    }
+}
+
+/// Serde deserializer adapter for fields that follow JSON Merge Patch semantics.
+///
+/// Pair this with `#[serde(default, deserialize_with = "patch_field")]` on a
+/// `Patch<T>` field. An omitted field falls back to `Patch::Unchanged` via
+/// `Default`; an explicit JSON `null` becomes `Patch::Remove`; any other value
+/// becomes `Patch::Set(v)`.
+pub(super) fn patch_field<'de, D, T>(deserializer: D) -> Result<Patch<T>, D::Error>
+where
+    D: serde::Deserializer<'de>,
+    T: serde::Deserialize<'de>,
+{
+    Option::<T>::deserialize(deserializer).map(|opt| match opt {
+        Some(value) => Patch::Set(value),
+        None => Patch::Remove,
+    })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use serde::Deserialize;
+
+    #[derive(Deserialize)]
+    struct Holder {
+        #[serde(default, deserialize_with = "patch_field")]
+        value: Patch<u64>,
+    }
+
+    fn parse(json: &str) -> Holder {
+        serde_json::from_str(json).expect("valid json")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn omitted_field_yields_unchanged() {
+        let h = parse("{}");
+        assert!(matches!(h.value, Patch::Unchanged));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn explicit_null_yields_remove() {
+        let h = parse(r#"{"value": null}"#);
+        assert!(matches!(h.value, Patch::Remove));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn explicit_value_yields_set() {
+        let h = parse(r#"{"value": 42}"#);
+        assert!(matches!(h.value, Patch::Set(42)));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn explicit_zero_yields_set_zero() {
+        let h = parse(r#"{"value": 0}"#);
+        assert!(matches!(h.value, Patch::Set(0)));
+    }
+}