A small Alpine-based Linux image for Apple devices, demonstrating the Orchard release format without a desktop or systemd requirement.
Currently supports iPad 6 Wi-Fi (iPad7,5, J71b), experimentally. Boot is tethered and requires a host computer. This is a development/reference image, not a general-purpose tablet distribution.
CLI and hardware sources are Git submodules in cli/ and hardware/.
Install uv, then use the repo-local launcher:
./orchard build examples/minimal-boot
./orchard run examples/minimal-boot./orchard initializes missing submodules and manages both Python packages as
editable dependencies automatically. No separate CLI/hardware installation or
virtual-environment activation is needed. The checkout's CLI takes precedence
over a globally installed Orchard; existing submodule edits are never reset.
examples/ is just an organizational choice: use_cases/my-test or an unrelated
absolute directory works too. A RAM build packages that directory's init and
optional rootfs/ content. See minimal-boot and
charger-001 for host requirements and content examples.
Upstream Git objects and immutable components share the normal Orchard cache across checkouts. Editable kernel source and compiler output remain checkout-local. These examples do not build the Alpine distro image; its assembly stays in the existing producers documented below.
Follow BUILD.md to set up a repository-local environment, build public components, assemble a coherent root/recovery release and run isolated tests. Boot presentation describes the Alpine artwork and loader producers.
Distro builds use the active orchard-hardware package and explicit component artifacts. In the local workspace that package comes from the editable hardware/ submodule. Private firmware, calibration, device identity and diagnostic keys are not included in public images.
Use the Orchard CLI with a compatible device and a prepared Linux-data partition. Back up the device first; storage changes can permanently erase data.
./orchard resolve out/releases/YOUR_NEW_VERSION/index.toml
./orchard install out/releases/YOUR_NEW_VERSION/index.tomlThe CLI asks before installation or formatting. Do not interrupt a confirmed storage operation. Building or testing in a container does not qualify a release on hardware.
orchard launch can start an installation only when the published shared launcher explicitly supports that build's root receipt and kernel/runtime inputs. An arbitrary local rebuild is not automatically supported by the public launcher.
See LICENSE, NOTICE, and component notices. Alpine artwork and trademarks belong to their respective owners; no endorsement is implied.