Releases

Libreboot releases are named after the release date, and may come with amendments called “revisions”.

The navigation sidebar includes a list of all current releases.

Release cycle

Revisions

Each release can have any number of revisions, where tarballs are re-generated and re-uploaded, replacing old ones.

In revisions to testing releases, any number of improvements can be made, including massive updating of upstream code revisions. Testing releases will stop receiving new revisions about 3–4 weeks before the corresponding stable release.

Stable release revisions must not fundamentally alter the substance of a given stable release. Revisions only include critical bug fixes and special additions deemed desirable and safe.

Reasoning

In the past, a problem Libreboot has had was that we’d do testing releases, but not do revisions on them; then by the time a stable release came around, some upstream revisions would be about 4-6 months out of date (typically).

With this new formalised structure, we can be as close to upstream as possible by the time of each stable release, for each given upstream e.g. coreboot.

This release schedule will also provide greater opportunity for coverage of Libreboot releases, since people know then what to expect and what dates to put in their calendars.

Version numbers

Versions are of form Libreboot YY.MM.

For example, the April 2025 release shall be Libreboot 25.04.

Y2.1k compliance

If Libreboot still exists in the year 2100, then those releases will be e.g. Libreboot 100.04 for April 2100 release.

Release codenames

Each release comes with a codename consisting of two alliterative words.

Credits

Britney Lozza was the one who suggested to me that I use this new release number and codename scheme, and I previously came up with the plan to use an April/June and October/December testing/stable release schedule.