This cycle delivers the Armbian 26.08 release alongside broad platform maintenance, a substantial documentation restructure, and hardening across CI and user-facing tooling.
On the platform side, several boards moved toward mainline kernels and current stable branches: the Khadas VIM4 was migrated to mainline 7.1.y, the LS1046A Gateway-DK moved to mainline with an NXP SDK overlay and 88W9098 Wi-Fi, and the ReComputer RK3588 devkit gained mainline kernel and U-Boot on edge. The edge branch was rolled to Linux 7.2 stable across multiple families, with bleedingedge bumped to 7.3-rc1. New hardware support includes the MBa93xxCA (TQMa93xx/imx93) board, while targeted fixes landed for the Orange Pi 4 Pro PCIe rail, Orange Pi Zero 3W CSI capture, SpacemiT K1 boot scripts and cpufreq boost, Ayn Odin 2 Mini audio/USB/battery, BananaPi R2 switch data path, and the RK3576 ReComputer devkit GPU stack.
Documentation received a comprehensive overhaul, with the build guide restructured into per-section pages, a new "Adding a board" guide, refreshed extensions and vendor-switch references, and a dedicated "Choosing an SD card" page correcting long-standing A1/A2 misinformation. A new STATUS section aggregates fleet test results, the package repository state, build machinery inventory, and download-image reports, wired to live data sources. Community and user-guide navigation was reorganized with SEO-friendly URLs and redirects.
Tooling and CI work centered on hardening and consistency: label workflows now validate canonical PR numbers, unit tests scope to changed files with a nightly full matrix, and status-update PRs auto-merge without manual intervention. User-visible improvements include a modernized armbian-zsh with autosuggestions and syntax highlighting, sysctl defaults shipped via BSP, safer armbian-install Windows detection, and imager fixes for older WebKit and image labeling. The firstlogin session lock was replaced with flock, and firmware operations now guarantee the board is never left without a kernel.
#Armbian #EmbeddedLinux #MainlineKernel #SBC #OpenSource
Changes
- add lxqt as a desktop option. by @Awire9966 in armbian/configng#958
- Add MBa93xxCA board (TQMa93xx/imx93) + imx8m/imx93 fixes. by @schmiedelm in armbian/build#10542
- Add radxa-rock-4d UFS to standard release targets. by @HeyMeco in armbian/armbian.github.io#427
- add u-boot git tree (only full, not shallow) with mainline & radxa as a separate oras artifact. by @rpardini in armbian/shallow#11
- Amlogic T7: Update Khadas VIM4 to
mainlinelinux-7.1.y (CURRENT). by @pyavitz in armbian/build#10531 - Armbian 26.08 Release. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10336
- armbian-install: harden Windows detection (pipefail-safe + fs-probe race). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/configng#1004
- armbian-zsh: modernize (bash-compat builtins, bump oh-my-zsh, autosuggestions + highlighting, history). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10556
- ayn-odin3: stock ABL UEFI default, ROCKNIX sync, headphone and fan fixes. by @SuperKali in armbian/build#10557
- board-images: add mba93xxca-tqma93xx.png. by @schmiedelm in armbian/armbian.github.io#432
- board: beaglebadge: blacklist crashing Bluetooth UART. by @Grippy98 in armbian/build#10545
- bsp: ship sysctl defaults and Provide linux-sysctl-defaults. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10190
- build-framework: restructure into /build-framework/. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1009
- chore(deps): resolve all open Dependabot alerts. by @SuperKali in armbian/website#44
- ci(docs-preview): delete PR preview from www on close + one-time prune. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1010
- ci(mirrors): fix path, add daily cron, slim table, match auto-PR style. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1029
- ci(mirrors): let site names wrap to stop the table overflowing. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1031
- ci(status): scope auto-PRs to their page + zero-touch auto-merge. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1048
- ci(status): zero-touch auto-merge for the status update PRs. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1050
- ci(unit-tests): PR runs only changed tests (full matrix stays on the nightly cron). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/configng#1002
- ci: add "Pull extensions list" workflow. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1019
- ci: adopt the armbian/build labeling system. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/ci#59
- ci: harden the label workflows (checkout token, PR number parsing). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/ci#60
- ci: remove download-images report (moved to armbian/documentation). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/armbian.github.io#434
- ci: require a canonical PR number before touching labels. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/ci#61
- ci: validate the PR number where it enters the job. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/ci#62
- cli-flash: fix bare ./compile.sh flash silently doing nothing. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10522
- cpufreq: add boost support and enable the 1.8 GHz turbo on spacemit. by @SuperKali in armbian/build#10519
- desktops/lxqt: drop resolute (panel.conf conffile conflict). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/configng#1007
- docs(build): correct desktops.md against the configng desktop modules. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1015
- docs(build): document four more user-facing switches. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1026
- docs(build): document the vendor / branding switches. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1025
- docs(build): drop 'Building with Docker' page (Docker is the default). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1011
- docs(build): drop transition-era CLI page, add Board Configuration reference. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1017
- docs(build): fix extensions docs (dead path + 11 missing extensions). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1014
- docs(build): fix outdated facts in build-framework reference pages. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1013
- docs(build): modernize Getting Started (desktop example + SHARE_LOG). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1012
- docs(build): split Build Switches into per-section pages. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1018
- docs(build): write a real "Adding a board" guide. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1016
- docs(build-framework): add "How a build runs" page (#190, updated for armbian-next). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1024
- docs(mirrors): lead with the mirror list; splice generator by markers. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1034
- docs(mirrors): rename the diagram to armbian-mirror-system.png. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1035
- docs(mirrors): update the mirror-system diagram. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1033
- docs(software): drop emoji icons from "Why Use It". by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1022
- docs(status): add the Tested boards page (fleet test results). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1054
- docs(status): consistency pass across the STATUS pages. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1045
- docs(status): modernize Wi-Fi performance static text. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1094
- docs(status): restyle Wi-Fi performance results table. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1093
- docs(status): reword Tested boards intro for per-board cards. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1056
- docs: address post-merge CodeRabbit review nits. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1028
- docs: dedicated "Choosing an SD card" page, fix A1/A2 misinformation (#387). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1023
- docs: move "run a mirror" instructions back to Contribute. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1042
- docs: move datacenter board inventory to a STATUS page. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1043
- docs: recommend armbian-upgrade for updating the OS. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1008
- docs: refresh front page — image intros + drop failing unit-tests badge. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1021
- docs: restructure community/contribute nav + SEO-friendly URLs (with redirects). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1027
- docs: User-Guide cleanup — drop overlays, SEO-rename the rest with redirects. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1052
- extensions: add @description headers and a list generator. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10534
- feat(api): redirect /trademark to /terms. by @SuperKali in armbian/website#45
- feat(status): Build machinery page (runner fleet from NetBox + GitHub). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1046
- feat(status): Package repository page wired to the apt report. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1041
- feat(status): relocate download-images report into a STATUS page. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1044
- firmware: never leave the board without a kernel on switch/repository change. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/configng#977
- firstlogin: replace session kill with flock. by @enthropy7 in armbian/build#10480
- Fix Ayn Odin 2 Mini (& Portal?) audio/USB/battery support.. by @Clownacy in armbian/build#10562
- Fix module_wireguard.sh allowed characters to match docker image. by @BrianLeblanc98 in armbian/configng#1001
- fix(board/olinux-som-a13): correct DTB and cap cpufreq to prevent boo…. by @gianlucabonetti in armbian/build#10508
- fix(images): label server and bianbu variants instead of calling them minimal. by @SuperKali in armbian/imager#185
- fix(rockchip64): drop 8250 DMA reopen patch, fixed upstream. by @HeyMeco in armbian/build#10528
- fix(ui): text input and repaint issues on older WebKit. by @SuperKali in armbian/imager#186
- generate_readme: logo header, Purpose section, skip workflow docs. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/armbian.github.io#430
- genio-7.2: small fixes. by @rpardini in armbian/build#10536
- grub: show the Armbian wallpaper on Debian images (desktop-base overwrites it). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10559
- harden the PR labeling workflows. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/armbian.github.io#428
- labels: only clear review labels when the approval actually counts. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10539
- LowMem extension: Fix swapfile creation on btrfs; Fix permission race. by @dlitz in armbian/build#10298
- ls1046a/gateway-dk: migrate to mainline kernel + NXP SDK overlay; add 88W9098 WiFi. by @tomazzaman in armbian/build#10533
- mainline: switch
edgeto 7.2 stable on various families, bump bleedingedge to 7.3-rc1. by @EvilOlaf in armbian/build#10448 - maintenance-update-readme: expand default repos (6 -> 15) + fix input default. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/armbian.github.io#431
- maintenance-update-readme: use the manual PR title for README refresh. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/armbian.github.io#429
- meson64: mmc: meson-gx: honour the busy timeout for R1b commands. by @iav in armbian/build#10451
- mt7623: bananapi-r2: disable PMIC keys for the shorted power button. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10565
- mt7623: bananapi-r2: fix switch data path, edge 7.2, promote to supported. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10574
- musebook: fix the panel backlight, boot stall and GPU clock. by @SuperKali in armbian/build#10518
- orangepi4pro: fix PCIe 3.3V supply rail to enable NVMe boot. by @ZloZloe39 in armbian/build#10520
- package: heal interrupted dpkg state + stop masking apt failures. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/configng#1005
- patch maint: rewrite various patch sets against upstream. by @EvilOlaf in armbian/build#10524
- phytiumpi: update fip-boot binary. by @chainsx in armbian/build#10523
- pip/python/pylibfdt: use forked pylibfdt with upstream fixes for swig/newer-gcc. by @rpardini in armbian/build#10503
- radxa-rock-4d: set KERNEL_TEST_TARGET to match KERNEL_TARGET. by @HeyMeco in armbian/build#10529
- radxa-rock-4d: set KERNEL_TEST_TARGET to match KERNEL_TARGET. by @HeyMeco in armbian/build#10530
- recomputer-rk3576-devkit: switch to panfrost GPU stack + fix greeter device permissions. by @Mkiring in armbian/build#10517
- recomputer-rk3588-devkit: edge: mainline kernel & u-boot. by @rpardini in armbian/build#10357
- Revert the Radxa E52C U-Boot bump from v2026.07 to v2026.01 because v2026.07 does not boot on the E52C. . by @schwar3kat in armbian/build#10572
- SpacemiT K1: Add boot script, default env and switch a few units to boot.scr. by @pyavitz in armbian/build#10563
- SpacemiT K1: Set KERNEL_BTF="no" on both
legacyandcurrent. by @pyavitz in armbian/build#10564 - style: fix editorconfig violations so 'Coding style check' passes. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/configng#1003
- sun60iw2: fix SoC hard-freeze on CSI capture and dead camera rail (Orange Pi Zero 3W). by @periqles in armbian/build#10567
- sunxi-6.18: enable composite TV output on H3 and H5. by @enthropy7 in armbian/build#10538
- sunxi: x96q-lpddr3: add speed4 CPU OPP voltages. by @bitv1be in armbian/build#10540
- sunxi: x96q-lpddr3: enable AC300 ethernet PHY. by @bitv1be in armbian/build#10526
- u-boot/rk3588: carry the SCMI CPU clock raise into v2026.07. by @SuperKali in armbian/build#10543
- uefi-x86-7.2: fix T2 magicmouse patches against Linux 7.2. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10575
- uefi-x86: drop upstreamed magicmouse .reset_resume T2 sub-patch. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10547
- uefi-x86: resync 7.1 and 7.2 Apple-T2 patches from t2linux. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10550
- Update odroidxu4-current to 6.6.155. by @belegdol in armbian/build#10560
- Update pull-mirrors-from-db.yml triggers. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/documentation#1067
- Update the xiaomi-sheng bleedingedge kernel to 7.2.2. by @code002-2 in armbian/build#10555
- uwe5622: enable bind verification on Rockchip. by @Zackento in armbian/uwe5622#19
- v4l2loopback-dkms: skip when apt v4l2loopback < 0.15.3 (won't build). by @igorpecovnik in armbian/build#10535
- work_kernel_tree: fall back to the other kernel mirror on live-fetch failure. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/shallow#10
Automaticrefresh repository README. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/actions#40Automaticrefresh repository README. by @igorpecovnik in armbian/sdk#46
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