# RT-Thread

> real-time operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q7277800](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7277800)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT-Thread)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rt-thread

## Summary
RT-Thread is a real-time operating system designed for applications requiring minimal delay in data processing. Created by Bernard Xiong in 2006, it is distributed as free software under the Apache Software License 2.0.

## Key Facts
- RT-Thread is classified as both a real-time operating system and a free operating system
- Created by Bernard Xiong in 2006
- Licensed under Apache Software License 2.0
- GitHub repository located at https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread
- Official websites include http://www.rt-thread.org/ and https://www.rt-thread.io/
- Has had 10 documented version releases from 1.2.3 (2014) to 3.0.3 (2018)
- Wikipedia page exists in 5 languages: English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese
- YouTube channel with handle "rt-thread" and channel ID UCdDHtIfSYPq4002r27ffqPw
- Zhihu topic ID: 19964581

## FAQs
### Q: What is RT-Thread used for?
A: RT-Thread is used as a real-time operating system for applications requiring minimal delay in data processing, such as embedded systems and IoT devices.

### Q: Is RT-Thread free to use?
A: Yes, RT-Thread is a free operating system distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0, allowing users to use, copy, modify, and redistribute the software freely.

### Q: When was RT-Thread first released?
A: While founded in 2006, the first documented version of RT-Thread (1.2.3) was released on November 3, 2014.

### Q: Who maintains RT-Thread?
A: RT-Thread is maintained by Bernard Xiong as the author, with development continuing through its GitHub repository.

### Q: How can I learn more about RT-Thread?
A: Information is available through official websites (rt-thread.org and rt-thread.io), its GitHub repository, and its Wikipedia page available in multiple languages.

## Why It Matters
RT-Thread matters as it provides a robust, free real-time operating system for embedded systems and IoT applications that require precise timing and responsiveness. Being free and open-source, it eliminates licensing barriers for developers and businesses, enabling more widespread adoption of real-time computing capabilities. Its development since 2006 demonstrates long-term viability and adaptability to changing technological needs in the embedded systems space. RT-Thread's continued evolution through multiple versions shows its commitment to improving performance, reliability, and functionality for time-critical applications.

## Notable For
- Being a free real-time operating system with no licensing fees
- Supporting minimal data processing delays critical for time-sensitive applications
- Maintaining active development since 2006 with regular version releases
- Having comprehensive documentation and international presence with multilingual documentation

## Body
### Overview
RT-Thread is a real-time operating system designed for applications that need to process data as it arrives with minimal delay. It is also classified as a free operating system, granting users specific freedoms to use, copy, modify, and redistribute the software, including modified versions.

### Development History
- Created by Bernard Xiong in 2006
- First documented release (version 1.2.3) on November 3, 2014
- Continuously developed with multiple version releases through 2018
- Development continues through its GitHub repository at https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread

### Version Releases
- Version 1.2.3 released on 2014-11-03
- Version 1.2.4 released on 2015-05-13
- Version 1.2.5 released on 2015-10-15
- Version 2.0.0 released on 2015-02-02
- Version 2.0.1 released on 2015-05-13
- Version 2.0.2 released on 2015-10-15
- Version 2.1.0 released on 2016-04-24
- Version 3.0.1 released on 2017-11-30
- Version 3.0.2 released on 2017-12-31
- Version 3.0.3 released on 2018-03-05

### Licensing and Distribution
- Licensed under Apache Software License 2.0
- Source code available publicly on GitHub
- Free to use, modify, and redistribute
- Copyright status: copyrighted

### Online Presence
- Official websites: http://www.rt-thread.org/ and https://www.rt-thread.io/
- Wikipedia page available in 5 languages: English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese
- YouTube channel with handle "rt-thread" and channel ID UCdDHtIfSYPq4002r27ffqPw
- Active on Chinese platform Zhihu with topic ID 19964581
- GitHub username: RT-Thread

### Classification
- Instance of: real-time operating system
- Also classified as: free operating system
- Freebase ID: /m/0gfdglk
- Wikipedia sitelinks count: 5

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/blob/master/LICENSE)
2. [Release 1.2.3. 2014](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v1.2.3)
3. [Release 1.2.4. 2015](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v1.2.4)
4. [Release 1.2.5. 2015](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v1.2.5)
5. [Release 2.0.0. 2015](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v2.0.0)
6. [Release 2.0.1. 2015](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v2.0.1)
7. [Release 2.0.2. 2015](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v2.0.2)
8. [Release 2.1.0. 2016](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v2.1.0)
9. [Release 3.0.1. 2017](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.0.1)
10. [Release 3.0.2. 2017](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.0.2)
11. [Release 3.0.3. 2018](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.0.3)
12. [Release 3.0.4. 2018](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.0.4)
13. [Release 3.1.0. 2018](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.1.0)
14. [Release 3.1.1. 2018](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.1.1)
15. [Release 3.1.2. 2019](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.1.2)
16. [Release 3.1.3. 2019](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.1.3)
17. [Release 3.1.4. 2020](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.1.4)
18. [Release 4.0.0. 2019](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.0.0)
19. [Release 4.0.1. 2019](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.0.1)
20. [Release 4.0.2. 2019](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.0.2)
21. [Release 4.0.3. 2020](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.0.3)
22. [Release 3.1.5. 2021](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v3.1.5)
23. [Release 4.0.4. 2021](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.0.4)
24. [Release 4.0.5. 2021](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.0.5)
25. [Release 4.1.0. 2022](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.1.0)
26. [Release 4.1.1. 2022](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v4.1.1)
27. [Release 5.0.0. 2023](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.0.0)
28. [Release 5.0.1. 2023](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.0.1)
29. [Release 5.0.2. 2023](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.0.2)
30. [Release 5.1.0. 2024](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.1.0)
31. [Release 5.2.0. 2025](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.2.0)
32. [Release 5.2.1. 2025](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.2.1)
33. [Release 5.2.2. 2025](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread/releases/tag/v5.2.2)
34. [Source](https://github.com/RT-Thread/rt-thread)
35. YouTube API