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coreboot/coreboot

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Read-only mirror of https://review.coreboot.org/coreboot.git. Synced every hour. We don't handle Pull Requests.

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Type
Open Source
Company
coreboot Project
Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About coreboot/coreboot

coreboot is a Free Software project that replaces proprietary firmware (BIOS/UEFI) found in most computers. It performs hardware initialization to configure the system and then passes control to a payload, which typically boots the operating system. With separation of hardware initialization and boot logic, coreboot is suitable for a wide variety of situations, including specialized firmware applications, running operating systems from flash, loading custom bootloaders, or implementing firmware standards like PC BIOS services or UEFI. The project supports a wide range of architectures, chipsets, devices, and mainboards, and releases quarterly.

Key Features

Replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware with open-source code
Performs hardware initialization and passes control to a payload
Supports a wide range of architectures, chipsets, devices, and mainboards
Flexible payload integration: can boot OS, load custom bootloaders, or implement firmware standards
Quarterly releases with full source code and toolchains
Active community development via Gerrit code review

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Completely free and open-source under permissive licenses
  • Highly flexible: only includes necessary features, reducing code and flash space
  • Supports many architectures and mainboards
  • Regular quarterly releases and active community
  • Separation of hardware initialization and boot logic allows tailored payloads
Cons
  • Requires technical expertise to configure and build; not user-friendly for casual users
  • Limited out-of-the-box hardware support; not all systems are compatible
  • Releases are snapshots, not guaranteed stable for production without testing

Best For

Booting operating systems on supported hardwareRunning specialized applications directly in firmwareLoading operating systems from flash storageImplementing legacy PC BIOS services or UEFI firmwareBuilding custom firmware for embedded or niche devices

FAQ

What is coreboot?
coreboot is a Free Software project that replaces the proprietary firmware (BIOS/UEFI) in most computers. It initializes hardware and then hands control to a payload, which typically boots the operating system.
What payloads does coreboot support?
coreboot can start a variety of payloads; see the project's payloads documentation for a list of supported options (e.g., SeaBIOS, GRUB, U-Boot, etc.).
How do I get the coreboot source code?
The source code is available via git clone from the official repository: git clone https://review.coreboot.org/coreboot.git. A read-only GitHub mirror is also available for browsing.
Is coreboot compatible with my hardware?
coreboot supports a wide range of architectures, chipsets, devices, and mainboards. Consult the Architecture-specific, SOC-specific, and Mainboard-specific documentation or the Board Status pages for details.
How often does coreboot release updates?
Releases are done every quarter. The release archives contain the entire codebase and toolchains; however, they are best considered as snapshots and do not guarantee extra stability.