# Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset

> operating system kernel

**Wikidata**: [Q1331667](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1331667)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embeddable_Linux_Kernel_Subset)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/embeddable-linux-kernel-subset

## Summary
The Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset (ELKS) is an operating system kernel and free software project licensed under the GNU General Public License. Originally founded in 1999, the project is actively maintained and focuses on providing a subset of the Linux kernel functionality. As of late 2024, the stable release is version 0.8.1.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Operating system kernel and free software.
- **Also Known As:** ELKS.
- **License:** GNU General Public License.
- **Inception Date:** May 20, 1999.
- **Latest Stable Version:** 0.8.1 (released October 16, 2024).
- **Source Code Repository:** [github.com/ghaerr/elks](https://github.com/ghaerr/elks)
- **Official Website:** [GitHub Wiki](https://github.com/ghaerr/elks/wiki)
- **Language:** English (primary language of work and name).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset (ELKS)?
A: ELKS is a free software operating system kernel. It is classified as a subset of the Linux kernel designed to be embeddable, distributed under the GNU General Public License.

### Q: Is the ELKS project still active?
A: Yes, the project is currently active. It has released multiple stable versions in recent years, with the most recent stable release (v0.8.1) occurring on October 16, 2024.

### Q: When was the ELKS project created?
A: The project was inceptioned on May 20, 1999.

## Why It Matters
The Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset represents a specialized niche in the open-source ecosystem, focusing on the adaptability of the Linux architecture for constrained or specific environments. By maintaining a codebase that functions as a "subset" of the standard kernel, the project provides a unique technical resource for developers working on embeddable systems where the full Linux kernel may not be suitable.

Its significance is highlighted by its longevity and recent resurgence; founded in 1999, the project has seen a sustained period of modern development activity starting around 2015 and accelerating through 2024. This longevity demonstrates the enduring utility of lightweight, GPL-licensed system software within the broader free software movement. The project serves as a distinct example of how classical operating system concepts can be preserved and updated within the modern GitHub-centric development workflow.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** A distinct operating system kernel project with an inception date of 1999 that is still receiving stable updates over two decades later.
- **Licensing:** Being fully Free Software under the GNU General Public License, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software.
- **Modern Release Cadence:** Notably accelerating its release schedule in the 2020s, shipping seven major versions (0.4.0 through 0.8.1) between 2020 and 2024.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Maintaining Wikipedia documentation across seven languages including English, German, Spanish, Finnish, Polish, Portuguese, and Czech.

## Body

### History and Inception
The Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset was officially inceptioned on **May 20, 1999**. It is classified as both an **operating system** and **free software**. The project is often referred to by its acronym, **ELKS**.

### Development and Versions
Development of ELKS has continued into the present day, with a notable increase in release frequency in recent years.

*   **Early History:** Prior to 2015, records indicate the project was active but less frequently updated.
*   **Revival (2015-2019):** Development picked up with version **0.2.0** released on March 1, 2015, followed by **0.2.1** in June 2018 and **0.3.0** in March 2019.
*   **Modern Era (2020-2024):** The project entered a period of active maintenance under the repository `ghaerr/elks`.
    *   **0.4.0:** Released November 21, 2020.
    *   **0.5.0:** Released February 8, 2022.
    *   **0.6.0:** Released June 7, 2022.
    *   **0.7.0:** Released August 3, 2023 (Stable).
    *   **0.8.0:** Released September 24, 2024 (Stable).
    *   **0.8.1:** Released October 16, 2024 (Stable).

### Technical Properties
*   **License:** The software is distributed under the **GNU General Public License**.
*   **Repository:** The source code is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/ghaerr/elks`.
*   **Logo:** The project utilizes a specific logo file identified as `ELKS-Logo.png`.
*   **Copyright:** The software is classified as copyrighted.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases)
2. [Release 0.2.0. 2015](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
3. [Release 0.2.0. 2015](https://github.com/Embeddable-Linux-Kernel-Subset/elks/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
4. [Release 0.2.0. 2015](https://github.com/elks-org/elks/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
5. [Release 0.2.1. 2018](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
6. [Release 0.2.1. 2018](https://github.com/Embeddable-Linux-Kernel-Subset/elks/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
7. [Release 0.2.1. 2018](https://github.com/elks-org/elks/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
8. [Release 0.3.0. 2019](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
9. [Release 0.3.0. 2019](https://github.com/Embeddable-Linux-Kernel-Subset/elks/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
10. [Release 0.3.0. 2019](https://github.com/elks-org/elks/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
11. [Release 0.4.0. 2020](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases/tag/v0.4.0)
12. [Release 0.5.0. 2022](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases/tag/v0.5.0)
13. [Release 0.6.0. 2022](https://github.com/jbruchon/elks/releases/tag/v0.6.0)
14. [ELKS v0.7.0. 2023](https://github.com/ghaerr/elks/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
15. [Release 0.8.0. 2024](https://github.com/ghaerr/elks/releases/tag/v0.8.0)
16. [Release 0.8.1. 2024](https://github.com/ghaerr/elks/releases/tag/v0.8.1)
17. [Release 0.9.0. 2026](https://github.com/ghaerr/elks/releases/tag/v0.9.0)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013