https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine
Modern, advanced, portable, multiprotocol bootloader and boot manager.
https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine
aarch64 arm arm64 bios boot-loader boot-manager bootloader efi gpt loongarch loongarch64 loongson mbr risc-v riscv riscv64 uefi x64 x86 x86-64
Last synced: 4 days ago
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Modern, advanced, portable, multiprotocol bootloader and boot manager.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine
- Owner: limine-bootloader
- License: bsd-2-clause
- Created: 2019-05-15T04:02:11.000Z (almost 6 years ago)
- Default Branch: v9.x
- Last Pushed: 2025-04-01T11:32:25.000Z (15 days ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-04-04T11:14:25.345Z (12 days ago)
- Topics: aarch64, arm, arm64, bios, boot-loader, boot-manager, bootloader, efi, gpt, loongarch, loongarch64, loongson, mbr, risc-v, riscv, riscv64, uefi, x64, x86, x86-64
- Language: C
- Homepage: https://limine-bootloader.org
- Size: 156 MB
- Stars: 2,121
- Watchers: 31
- Forks: 151
- Open Issues: 17
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: ChangeLog
- License: COPYING
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README
# Limine
### What is Limine?
Limine (pronounced as demonstrated [here](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20limine))
is a modern, advanced, portable, multiprotocol bootloader and boot manager, also used
as the reference implementation for the [Limine boot protocol](PROTOCOL.md).
### Community, Support, and Donations
#### Donate
If you want to support the work I ([@mintsuki](https://github.com/mintsuki)) do on Limine, feel free to donate to me on Liberapay:
Donations welcome, but absolutely not mandatory!
#### Community
We have a Matrix room at [`#limine:matrix.org`](https://matrix.to/#/#limine:matrix.org)
if you need support, info, or you just want to hang out with us.
### Limine's boot menu
[Photo by Gundula Vogel](https://www.pexels.com/photo/ginger-cat-sitting-on-grass-25189639/)
### Supported architectures
* IA-32 (32-bit x86)
* x86-64
* aarch64 (arm64)
* riscv64
* loongarch64
### Supported boot protocols
* Linux
* [Limine](PROTOCOL.md)
* Multiboot 1
* Multiboot 2
* Chainloading
### Supported partitioning schemes
* MBR
* GPT
* Unpartitioned media
### Supported filesystems
* FAT12/16/32
* ISO9660 (CDs/DVDs)
If your filesystem isn't listed here, please read [the FAQ](FAQ.md) first, especially before
opening issues or pull requests related to this.
### Minimum system requirements
For 32-bit x86 systems, support is only ensured starting with those with
Pentium Pro (i686) class CPUs.
All x86-64, aarch64, riscv64 and loongarch64 (UEFI) systems are supported.
## Packaging status
All Limine releases since 7.x use [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html) for their naming.
[](https://repology.org/project/limine/versions)
## Binary releases
For convenience, for point releases, binaries are distributed. These binaries
are shipped in the `-binary` branches and tags of this repository
(see [branches](https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine/branches/all) and
[tags](https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine/tags)).
For example, to clone the latest binary release of the `9.x` branch, one can do:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine.git --branch=v9.x-binary --depth=1
```
or, to clone a specific binary point release (for example `9.2.2`):
```bash
git clone https://github.com/limine-bootloader/limine.git --branch=v9.2.2-binary --depth=1
```
In order to rebuild host utilities like `limine`, simply run `make` in the binary
release directory.
Host utility binaries are provided for Windows.
## Build and Install Instructions
*The following steps are not necessary if cloning a binary release.*
See [INSTALL.md](INSTALL.md).
## Usage
See [USAGE.md](USAGE.md).
## 3rd Party Software Acknowledgments
See [3RDPARTY.md](3RDPARTY.md).