# TLP

> laptop battery and power management software for Linux

**Wikidata**: [Q108770324](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108770324)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tlp

## Summary
TLP is a free software console application designed for Linux that optimizes laptop battery life through advanced power management. Written in Bourne shell, it operates as a background tool to automatically apply settings that reduce power consumption. The software is open-source, licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0 or later, and is widely available across major Linux distributions.

## Key Facts
- **Description:** Laptop battery and power management software for Linux.
- **Software Type:** Free software; console application.
- **Primary Language:** Bourne shell.
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.
- **Operating System:** Linux (family of Unix-like operating systems).
- **Source Repository:** hosted at github.com/linrunner/TLP.
- **Latest Listed Version:** 1.5.0 (released January 7, 2022).
- **Package Availability:** Available in official repositories for Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Alpine Linux, and SlackBuilds.
- **Documentation:** Detailed documentation and FAQ are available in English at linrunner.de and the Arch Wiki.

## FAQs
### Q: What does TLP do?
A: TLP is a power management tool for Linux laptops that automatically applies battery optimization settings. It runs as a console application to manage system components and extend battery life.

### Q: Is TLP free to use?
A: Yes, TLP is classified as free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later. This allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software.

### Q: Which Linux distributions support TLP?
A: TLP is available natively in the package repositories for major distributions including Arch Linux, Debian (stable), Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, Alpine Linux, and via SlackBuilds.

### Q: Where can I find help for TLP?
A: Users can access an English FAQ at `linrunner.de/tlp/faq/index.html` or refer to the English article on the Arch Wiki. Issues can also be tracked via the GitHub repository.

## Why It Matters
TLP plays a critical role in the Linux ecosystem by addressing a persistent challenge for laptop users: efficient power management. Unlike proprietary operating systems that often come with vendor-optimized power drivers out of the box, Linux distributions historically required manual configuration to maximize battery life. TLP solves this problem by providing a standardized, automated tool that applies optimized power saving settings upon boot.

Its significance is highlighted by its wide adoption; it is included in the official repositories of nearly every major Linux distribution, including Arch, Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora. This ubiquity means that users do not need to compile source code or hunt for third-party drivers to manage their battery effectively. By utilizing the Bourne shell, TLP remains lightweight and compatible across a vast range of hardware configurations without requiring heavy dependencies. As free software, it empowers users to audit and modify the code to suit specific hardware needs, reinforcing the open-source ethos of transparency and user control.

## Notable For
- **Broad Compatibility:** Native packaging support for Arch, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, Alpine, and SlackBuilds.
- **Lightweight Architecture:** Written entirely in Bourne shell, ensuring minimal system overhead.
- **Free Software Commitment:** Distributed under GPL-2.0-or-later, guaranteeing user freedoms to modify and redistribute.
- **Automated Management:** Functions as a console application that applies settings without requiring continuous user interaction.
- **Extensive Documentation:** Maintains a dedicated English FAQ and is documented on the Arch Wiki.

## Body

### Overview and Functionality
TLP is a specialized tool for Linux operating systems focused on laptop battery and power management. It operates as a console application, meaning it is managed via the command line. The software is designed to automatically apply power saving settings to extend the battery life of laptops, handling complex configurations so the user does not have to manually tweak system files.

### Technical Architecture
The software is constructed using the **Bourne shell** (`sh`), a standard command line interpreter for operating systems originally developed in 1979. This choice of language ensures that TLP is highly portable and lightweight, integrating seamlessly with the underlying Unix-like structure of Linux.

TLP is classified as **free software**, adhering to the definition that users must have the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software. It is explicitly licensed under the **GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later**.

### Availability and Installation
TLP is widely distributed across the Linux ecosystem. It is available in the standard repositories for:
- **Arch Linux** (package: `tlp` and `tlp-git` in AUR)
- **Debian Stable** (package: `tlp`)
- **Ubuntu** (package: `tlp`)
- **Fedora** (package: `tlp`)
- **openSUSE** (package: `tlp`)
- **Alpine Linux** (package: `tlp`)
- **SlackBuilds** (package: `system/TLP`)

The source code is publicly hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/linrunner/TLP`, where users can also access the issue tracker for bug reports and development activity.

### Version History
Development has been active, with versions ranging from 0.9 to 1.5.0 recorded in the provided sources. Key release milestones include:
- **0.9:** Released August 18, 2016.
- **1.0:** Released May 25, 2017.
- **1.1:** Released January 24, 2018.
- **1.2 series:** Releases throughout 2019 (1.2, 1.2.1, 1.2.2).
- **1.3 series:** Releases in early 2020 (1.3.0, 1.3.1).
- **1.4.0:** Released September 24, 2021.
- **1.5.0:** Released January 7, 2022.

### Resources
Users can access the main website at `https://linrunner.de/tlp/` for general information. A dedicated FAQ is available in English at `https://linrunner.de/tlp/faq/index.html`. Additionally, the software is described in detail on the Arch Wiki (`https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/TLP`).

## References

1. [LICENSE](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/blob/main/LICENSE)
2. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/blob/main/COPYING)
3. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.0)
4. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.1)
5. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.2)
6. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.2.1)
7. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.2.2)
8. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.3.0)
9. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.3.1)
10. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.4.0)
11. [Source](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.5.0)
12. [Release 0.9. 2016](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/0.9)
13. [Release 1.6.0. 2023](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.6.0)
14. [Release 1.6.1. 2023](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.6.1)
15. [Release 1.7.0. 2024](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.7.0)
16. [Release 1.8.0. 2025](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.8.0)
17. [Release 1.9.0. 2025](https://github.com/linrunner/TLP/releases/tag/1.9.0)