https://github.com/sepen/crux-ppc64
CRUX for PPC64 systems
https://github.com/sepen/crux-ppc64
crux crux-ppc64 linux ppc64
Last synced: 7 days ago
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CRUX for PPC64 systems
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/sepen/crux-ppc64
- Owner: sepen
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2026-03-14T16:57:30.000Z (3 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-01T21:24:38.000Z (2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-02T09:07:35.922Z (2 months ago)
- Topics: crux, crux-ppc64, linux, ppc64
- Homepage:
- Size: 31.3 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# CRUX-PPC64
**Bringing CRUX to PowerPC 64-bit (big-endian) systems**
This project provides a root filesystem image and a set of port overlays to run the minimalist [CRUX Linux](https://crux.nu)
distribution on PowerPC 64-bit big-endian (ppc64) hardware.
It is intended for enthusiasts, developers, and users of POWER and PowerPC systems who want a clean, source-based Linux distribution.
**Download the root filesystem:**
[crux-3.8-ppc64.rootfs.tar.xz](https://github.com/sepen/crux-ppc64/releases/download/3.8/crux-3.8-ppc64.rootfs.tar.xz)
---
## Overview
CRUX officially targets the x86-64 architecture. \
CRUX-PPC64 extends CRUX to support ppc64 big-endian systems, including a wide range of CPUs from older Apple hardware to enterprise POWER machines.
This project focuses on a portable and consistent userland, built with a unified toolchain targeting:
- 64-bit PowerPC (big-endian)
- ELFv1 ABI compatibility
- Broad CPU support across multiple generations
This release includes:
- A prebuilt root filesystem: \
`crux-3.8-ppc64.rootfs.tar.xz` — a minimal CRUX base system for ppc64
- Architecture-specific port overlays:
- [core-ppc64](https://github.com/sepen/crux-ports-core-ppc64) — base system ports adapted for ppc64
- [opt-ppc64](https://github.com/sepen/crux-ports-opt-ppc64) — optional and userland software ports
- [xorg-ppc64](https://github.com/sepen/crux-ports-xorg-ppc64) — graphical environment ports
These overlays contain adjusted `Pkgfile`'s and build configurations tuned for portable ppc64 systems.
They come preinstalled and preconfigured in the root filesystem image.
---
## Target Architecture
CRUX-PPC64 targets:
- **ppc64 (big-endian)** systems
- Compatible with CPUs such as:
- PowerPC 970 (PowerMac G5)
- POWER4 / POWER5 / POWER6 / POWER7
The system is built to be:
- Portable across multiple CPUs
- **ABI-stable (ELFv1)**
- Independent of specific microarchitectural optimizations
This allows a single root filesystem to be reused across different machines, as long as the kernel supports the hardware.
---
## Target Audience
- PowerPC and IBM POWER hardware users
- PowerMac G5 owners
- Retrocomputing enthusiasts
- Developers interested in non-x86 architectures
- Users who prefer minimal, source-based Linux systems
CRUX-PPC64 stays aligned with CRUX principles: **simplicity, transparency, and control**.
---
## Toolchain Notes
All packages are compiled with unified flags targeting:
- 64-bit PowerPC
- Generic CPU baseline
- ELFv1 ABI
This ensures:
- Binary compatibility across systems
- Predictable behavior
- Reduced risk of ABI or instruction mismatches
---
## Notes on Compatibility
- This is an unofficial CRUX port
- Not supported by the CRUX core team
- Some upstream software may not support ppc64 anymore
- Fallback to default ports may require manual fixes
- Kernel support is required per machine (G5, POWER, etc.)
Despite this, a large portion of userland software builds cleanly with a modern toolchain.
---
## Philosophy
> “Keep it simple.” — CRUX motto
CRUX-PPC64 follows the same philosophy as upstream CRUX:
- Minimal modifications
- Transparent build system
- No unnecessary abstraction
- Full user control
The goal is not to reinvent CRUX, but to **extend it to another architecture cleanly**.
---
## License
All CRUX base ports retain their original licenses. \
Overlay modifications and project-specific scripts are released under the **GPLv3 License**.
---
## Credits
- [CRUX Linux Team](https://crux.nu/)
- [CRUX-ARM Project](https://crux-arm.nu/) — inspiration for overlay design
- [CRUX-PPC GNU/Linux Project](https://cruxppc.org/) - for all his work over the years
- [cruxppc-ng-3.7](https://github.com/cruxppc/cruxppc-ng-3.7) - CRUX Linux 3.7 ported to PowerPC with a multilib design
- [VoidLinux PPC](https://voidlinux-ppc.org/) - impressive what they've managed to do for this architecture
- Community maintainers and retro-hardware enthusiasts