# linuxboot/heads

A minimal Linux that runs as a coreboot or LinuxBoot ROM payload to provide a secure, flexible boot environment for laptops, workstations and servers.

Repository: https://github.com/linuxboot/heads
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/heads
Homepage: https://osresearch.net/
Language: Makefile
License: GPL-2.0
License Family: copyleft
Topics: coreboot, bootrom, xen, firmware, linux, tpm, verifiedboot, rom, ownership, srtm, tpm-attestation, measuredboot
Last push: 2026-08-22T18:26:15+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 67/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 8, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 3682, "days_push": 11, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1585, forks 211 (observed 2026-08-28T04:05:07.544417+00:00)

## What it is
Heads is an open-source firmware and OS configuration that runs a minimal Linux as a coreboot or LinuxBoot ROM payload, moving the root of trust into write-protected SPI flash. It measures boot steps into the TPM, provides TOTP/HOTP attestation, GPG-signed kernels, and TPM-sealed LUKS disk decryption for laptops, workstations, and servers.

## Use cases
- replace proprietary UEFI firmware with an auditable open-source boot path
- verify firmware and boot integrity via TPM measured boot and attestation
- securely unlock LUKS-encrypted disks using TPM-sealed keys
- sign and verify kernels, initrds, and OS ISOs before booting
- build a tamper-resistant boot environment for Qubes OS or other Linux distros
- harden commodity laptops like ThinkPads against physical and evil-maid attacks

## When to choose
- you need a hardware-rooted, measured, and attested boot chain on supported hardware
- you want to replace vendor UEFI with coreboot plus a verified Linux payload
- you run Qubes OS or encrypted Linux and want TPM-based disk unlock and signed boot files
- you are comfortable flashing SPI ROMs and doing hardware modifications

## When to avoid
- you need a plug-and-play solution without disassembling hardware or using external flash programmers
- your hardware is not on the supported boards list
- you are a non-technical user unwilling to risk bricking your machine
- you need broad UEFI Secure Boot compatibility with vendor firmware

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: security, cryptography, embedded, developer-tools
- domain: security, operating-systems, hardware, privacy, self-hosted
- platform: embedded, cross-platform
- tags: coreboot, firmware, tpm, verified-boot, measured-boot, boot-loader, linuxboot, secure-boot, luks, attestation, linux

## Member repositories
- linuxboot/heads (main) score 67

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:07.544417+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T03:55:37.390346+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/linuxboot/heads (fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:07.544417+00:00, sha de1da67c594b)
  - homepage: https://osresearch.net/ (fetched 2026-08-29T11:26:15.352223+00:00, sha 6756d28fd59a)
  - site_page: https://osresearch.net/Install-and-Configure (fetched 2026-08-29T11:26:15.364880+00:00, sha 67ea80d60997)
  - site_page: https://osresearch.net/InstallingOS (fetched 2026-08-29T11:26:15.366516+00:00, sha 497ab370f969)
  - site_page: https://osresearch.net/FAQ (fetched 2026-08-29T11:26:15.362693+00:00, sha c34634165bd0)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.