Freedom251 › Boot Manager Software
Petitboot
What Petitboot is
Petitboot is a free, GPL-2.0-licensed bootloader built from userspace programs in a small Linux image. It discovers devices and bootable images, reads bootloader configuration files, and launches systems using Linux kexec. Supported configuration formats include GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot. Its primary interface is an ncurses menu for reviewing boot choices and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell. Operating system images can be loaded over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP. Basic functionality is possible on platforms that support kexec; documented platform implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support, with platform-specific implementations adding further features. On supported platforms, inband IPMI can report BMC information and alter boot behavior through boot-device overrides. Plugins package and run binaries in the Petitboot shell and can be found on local devices or in PXE network files. The pb-discover server finds and configures devices, while UI clients communicate with it through pb-protocol. The project also includes pb-sos, a utility for collecting diagnostic and crash information. Development and discussion take place on the Petitboot mailing list, monitored by a Patchwork instance.
Who it suits
Petitboot suits Linux system administrators and developers who need a bootloader that can discover images and boot them through kexec. It is especially relevant to users working with supported POWER or ARM64 implementations, or other platforms that support kexec.
What it does well
- Reads GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot configuration formats.
- Loads operating system images over five listed network protocols.
- Provides an ncurses menu with settings, plugins, and shell access.
- Includes pb-sos for diagnostic and crash information collection.
- GPL-2.0-licensed open-source project.
What to know first
- Platform-specific implementations add features beyond basic kexec functionality.
- Documented implementations focus on POWER with OPAL and ARM64 with efivarfs support.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Petitboot | GPL-2.0 licensed open-source project | Free |
As open-power.github.io lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Petitboot project website.
- Use a Linux environment on a platform that supports kexec.
- Consult the project documentation for the relevant platform implementation.
- Configure boot options using supported formats such as GRUB, SYSLINUX, or Yaboot.
Verdict
Choose Petitboot if you need a free, open-source bootloader with image discovery, network loading, and an ncurses menu. Check whether your platform has a documented implementation, since available functionality can vary by platform.
Questions
Is Petitboot free and open source?
Yes. The Petitboot plan is free, and the project is licensed under GPL-2.0.
Which platforms are documented?
Documented implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support. Basic functionality is possible on platforms supporting kexec.
Which boot configuration formats does it support?
Supported formats include GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot.
Can Petitboot load images over a network?
Yes. It can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP.
Does it support multiboot and boot-entry editing?
Yes. Multiboot support and boot-entry editing are listed.
What is the primary interface?
Its main interface is an ncurses menu for viewing boot options and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell.
Facts from Petitboot's own pages
- Boot process
- It discovers devices and bootable images, parses bootloader configurations, and boots through Linux kexec. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Components
- The pb-discover server discovers and configures devices, while UI clients communicate with it through the pb-protocol interface. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Configuration formats
- It supports configuration formats including GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Development support
- Development and discussion take place on the Petitboot mailing list, which is monitored by a Patchwork instance. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Diagnostic utility
- The project includes pb-sos, a utility that collects diagnostic and crash information. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- IPMI integration
- On supported platforms, inband IPMI can report BMC information and modify boot behavior through boot device overrides. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project repository identifies Petitboot as GPL-2.0 licensed. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Network boot
- The project README says it can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Platform limitation
- Petitboot can provide basic functionality on platforms supporting kexec, while platform-specific implementations add additional features. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- The documented platform implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins package and run binaries in the Petitboot shell, and can be discovered on local devices or in PXE network files. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Petitboot is a kexec-based bootloader implemented by userspace programs in a small Linux image. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
- User interface
- Its primary interface is an ncurses menu for viewing boot options and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell. · open-power.github.io, 8 Oct 2026
Where Petitboot stands on Freedom251
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