> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/redox-os/redox/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Kernel

> The Redox microkernel written in Rust

## Overview

The Redox kernel is a **microkernel** written entirely in Rust, emphasizing safety, reliability, and performance. It forms the core of Redox OS and provides essential services for process management, memory management, and inter-process communication.

<Card title="Kernel Repository" icon="code" href="https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/kernel">
  View the kernel source code on GitLab
</Card>

## Key Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Microkernel Architecture" icon="cube">
    Minimal kernel design with most services running in userspace
  </Card>

  <Card title="Memory Safety" icon="shield">
    Written in Rust to prevent memory-related vulnerabilities
  </Card>

  <Card title="Process Isolation" icon="lock">
    Strong isolation between processes for enhanced security
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scheme-based I/O" icon="network-wired">
    Unique URL-like scheme system for resource access
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Architecture

The Redox kernel follows a microkernel design philosophy, inspired by systems like seL4 and MINIX. This means:

* **Minimal kernel space**: Only essential services run in kernel mode
* **Userspace drivers**: Device drivers run as separate processes
* **IPC-based communication**: Processes communicate through well-defined interfaces
* **Scheme-based I/O**: Resources are accessed through URL-like schemes

## Kernel Schemes

The kernel provides several built-in schemes for low-level operations:

```toml theme={null}
# Example schemes available from the kernel
schemes = [
  "debug",     # Debugging interface
  "event",     # Event handling
  "memory",    # Memory access
  "pipe",      # Pipe communication
  "serio",     # Serial I/O
  "irq",       # Interrupt handling
  "time",      # Time services
  "sys",       # System information
]
```

## System Initialization

The kernel initializes the system and starts essential services through the init system:

```bash theme={null}
# Base initialization script
rm -rf /tmp
mkdir -m a=rwxt /tmp

notify ipcd
notify ptyd
nowait sudo --daemon
```

## Building the Kernel

The kernel is included in the base system configuration:

```toml theme={null}
[packages]
kernel = {}
```

<Info>
  The kernel is automatically built as part of the Redox OS build system. See the [Build Instructions](https://doc.redox-os.org/book/podman-build.html) for details.
</Info>

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Kernel Repository" icon="gitlab" href="https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/kernel">
    Source code and development
  </Card>

  <Card title="Redox Book" icon="book" href="https://doc.redox-os.org/book/">
    Comprehensive documentation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contributing" icon="hand-holding-heart" href="https://doc.redox-os.org/book/">
    How to contribute to the kernel
  </Card>

  <Card title="Developer FAQ" icon="question" href="https://doc.redox-os.org/book/developer-faq.html">
    Common development questions
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Maintainer

<Card title="Jeremy Soller (@jackpot51)" icon="user">
  Primary maintainer of the Redox kernel
</Card>