Guidance for AI agents working in the bitbake repository.
- No web PR workflow. The project uses patches on mailing lists (bitbake-devel@lists.openembedded.org), tracked via patchwork. Don't assume GitHub PR conventions apply.
- One Git commit per logical change (e.g., one commit per recipe added/upgraded).
- Commit message format:
- Summary line prefixed with the recipe name or short file path,
e.g.
openssl: upgrade 3.2.0 -> 3.2.1orclasses/rootfs-postcommands: fix typo. Checkgit log --oneline <path>for the prefix convention already in use. - Body explains what/why/how, and how it was tested.
- Prefer explaining why a change was made over restating what's already visible in the diff, unless the diff is long/hard to follow or the reason for the change isn't known — in those cases, summarize what changed instead.
- Be succinct: use as few sentences and lines as possible while still covering what/why/how. Cut restatements, filler, and any detail a reviewer wouldn't need (e.g. exact test-run counts, step-by-step narration). One short paragraph is usually enough; only add a second if a distinct point (e.g. testing) needs it.
- The most relevant information about the change should be presented first.
- Reference bugs as
[YOCTO #1234]when applicable. - Use
Reported-by,Suggested-by,Tested-by,Reviewed-by,Cctags where relevant.
- Summary line prefixed with the recipe name or short file path,
e.g.
-
Mandatory: any AI-generated code/commit must add an
AI-Generated:tag line in the commit message, placed beforeSigned-off-by(if present), naming the tool used, e.g.:component: Add the ability to ... AI-Generated: Uses GitHub Copilot -
Also add a code comment or other in-patch indication that the code is AI-generated (recommended, not just the commit tag).
-
Mandatory Do not automatically add a
Signed-off-by. This tag must always be written by the human contributor, never by the AI tool — the DCO/Developer's Statement of Origin still applies in full. -
Contributor is responsible for confirming the AI tool's terms don't conflict with the project's open source license/IP policy, and that any third-party copyrighted material in the AI output is properly licensed before contributing it. See the Linux Foundation generative AI guidance: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/legal/generative-ai.
-
Co-authored-byshould be omitted in favor of theAI-generatedtag.
When in doubt about a convention, grep git log --oneline <path> in the
target repo for precedent before inventing a new style.