Software ecosystem
CheriBSD
CheriBSD is a Unix-like research operating system derived from FreeBSD and adapted for CHERI on Morello and CHERI-RISC-V.
Why it matters
It is the most complete general-purpose CHERI software environment for many research and development tasks.
In brief
CheriBSD is a Unix-like research operating system derived from FreeBSD and adapted for CHERI on Morello and CHERI-RISC-V. It provides a rich environment for memory-protected user space and kernel work, software porting and compartmentalisation research.
CheriBSD is particularly useful when a team needs a rich operating system, a large ports collection and both hybrid and pure-capability experiments. Pin the architecture, image, ABI and source revision because results from Morello, CHERI-RISC-V and different branches are not interchangeable.
Key considerations
1. Choose a target
Match the CheriBSD release to Morello or CHERI-RISC-V hardware or simulation.
2. Choose an ABI
Understand conventional, hybrid and pure-capability variants and the protection each provides.
3. Use the release
Follow current getting-started, package and update guidance; record experimental feature status.
Evidence and caveats
CheriBSD remains a research and evaluation platform. Individual features, packages and compartment mechanisms have their own maturity and security status.
Treat build, test, integration, upstream and maintained support as distinct states. Name the target and last verified date.