Pulling Linux up by its bootstraps

The live-bootstrap project, initiated in 2020 by Samuel Tyler, aims to automate the complete bootstrapping of a modern Linux system without relying on an existing kernel. In 2023, the Guix project had already reduced the binary bootstrap seed size to 357 bytes, but live-bootstrap has eliminated the need for any pre-existing kernel. The project utilizes a minimal kernel called Builder-Hex0, which is small enough to be verified manually and is designed to run shell scripts that guide the bootstrapping process. The bootstrapping involves building essential tools and software incrementally, starting from basic assemblers and shells, eventually leading to the construction of a usable Linux environment. The process is automated and can be executed in various environments, including chroot, virtual machines, or bare metal. The final outcome is a minimal Linux user space with modern tools, ensuring that software can be built from a small seed, thus enhancing the longevity and reproducibility of software ecosystems. This approach addresses concerns about trust in software compilation and aims to make it easier to build Linux distributions from scratch.

- The live-bootstrap project automates the bootstrapping of Linux without needing an existing kernel.

- It utilizes a minimal kernel, Builder-Hex0, to run the initial build scripts.

- The bootstrapping process builds essential tools incrementally, leading to a usable Linux environment.

- The project enhances software reproducibility and trust in the compilation process.

- It aims to ensure the longevity of software ecosystems by allowing builds from a small seed.