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SPECIFICTION
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Petitboot

open-power.github.io

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Visit open-power.github.io
Spec score 7.4 #18 of 29 in Boot Manager Software

What it is

Petitboot is a free, GPL-2.0-licensed bootloader implemented by userspace programs in a small Linux image. It discovers devices and bootable images, reads configurations such as GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot, then starts systems through Linux kexec. Its primary interface is an ncurses menu for viewing boot choices and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell. Operating-system images can be loaded over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, or TFTP. Basic functionality is available on platforms that support kexec, while documented platform implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support. On supported systems, inband IPMI can report BMC information and alter boot behavior through boot-device overrides. Plugins package and run binaries and may be discovered locally or in PXE network files. The pb-discover server finds and configures devices, while user interfaces communicate through pb-protocol. The included pb-sos utility gathers diagnostic and crash information.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Petitboot is a kexec-based bootloader implemented by userspace programs in a small Linux image.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
License
The project repository identifies Petitboot as GPL-2.0 licensed.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Boot process
It discovers devices and bootable images, parses bootloader configurations, and boots through Linux kexec.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Components
The pb-discover server discovers and configures devices, while UI clients communicate with it through the pb-protocol interface.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Configuration formats
It supports configuration formats including GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Development support
Development and discussion take place on the Petitboot mailing list, which is monitored by a Patchwork instance.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Diagnostic utility
The project includes pb-sos, a utility that collects diagnostic and crash information.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
IPMI integration
On supported platforms, inband IPMI can report BMC information and modify boot behavior through boot device overrides.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Network boot
The project README says it can load operating system images over HTTP, HTTPS, NFS, SFTP, and TFTP.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platform limitation
Petitboot can provide basic functionality on platforms supporting kexec, while platform-specific implementations add additional features.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Platform support
The documented platform implementations include POWER systems using OPAL firmware and ARM64 systems with efivarfs support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
Plugins
Plugins package and run binaries in the Petitboot shell, and can be discovered on local devices or in PXE network files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io
User interface
Its primary interface is an ncurses menu for viewing boot options and system information, changing settings, running plugins, and opening a shell.Read 8 Oct 2026 · open-power.github.io

Plans and prices

Petitboot Free GPL-2.0 licensed open-source project Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Petitboot plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • GPL-2.0 licensed open-source project
  • Supports multiboot and boot-entry editing
  • Loads images over five network protocols
  • Reads GRUB, SYSLINUX, and Yaboot
  • Provides plugin and shell access

Limits

  • Platform-specific features vary by implementation
  • Basic operation depends on kexec support
  • Primary interface is an ncurses menu
  • IPMI features require supported platforms

Who it suits

Petitboot suits Linux and self-hosted environments that need multiboot menus, boot-entry editing, and network image loading. Platform-specific functions depend on kexec support and the documented firmware implementations.

Verdict

Petitboot combines a Linux userspace bootloader with configurable menus, network boot sources, plugins, and diagnostic tooling. Its capabilities are broad, but hardware and firmware support determine which platform-specific features are available.

Where Specifiction places it

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