The Yocto Project’s "Layer Model" is a development model for embedded and IoT Linux creation that distinguishes the Yocto Project from other simple build systems. The Layer Model simultaneously supports collaboration and customization. Layers are repositories that contain related sets of instructions that tell the OpenEmbedded Build System what to do.

Layers support the inclusion of technologies, hardware components, and software components. The Yocto Project Compatible designation is applied to appropriate products and software components (BSPs, other OE-compatible layers, and related open source projects). This provides a level of standardization and contributes to a strong ecosystem.

Know what you’re looking for? Search the layer index below. New to layers? Check out our Layer Model Guide to get started.

If you are a Yocto Project member* or a non-profit open source project that is creating layers using the Yocto Project, you are eligible** to apply for Yocto Project Compatible status. Apply today!

YP Compatible Layer Registration Application

*Must be Platinum, Gold, or Silver membership level
** Additional criteria required to be approved. More details are available in the application form.

LayerBranchesDescriptionSource Code
meta-agl-coremaster, kirkstone, scarthgapThis is the core layer with essential recipes and the distro.Jan-Simon Möllerhttps://git.automotivelinux.org/AGL/meta-agl/
meta-armmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapGeneral layer for Arm recipesJon Mason and Ross Burtonhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-arm
meta-arm-bspmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapBSP layer for Arm reference and virtual platformsJon Mason and Ross Burtonhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-arm
meta-arm-toolchainmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapThis layer adds support for building with Arm GCC and Arm GCC binary toolchains.Jon Masonhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-arm
meta-awsmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapThe standard layer for Amazon Web Services off-cloud software.Richard Elbergerhttps://github.com/aws4embeddedlinux/meta-aws
meta-clangmaster, scarthgapClang/llvm alternative to gcc for C/C++ cross compilerKhem Rajhttp://github.com/kraj/meta-clang
meta-exeinmaster, scarthgapPulsar supportGianluigi Spagnuolohttps://github.com/exein-io/meta-exein
meta-filesystemsmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapTools for providing and working with additional filesystems.Martin Jansahttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-gem5kirkstoneRecipe and machine for the gem5 simulator system.Jon Mason and Ross Burtonhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-arm
meta-gnomemaster, kirkstone, scarthgapGNOME UI supportMartin Jansa and Koen Kooihttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-gplv2kirkstoneRecipes corresponding to old, obsolete versions of software that are GPLv2 licensed where the upstream have moved to GPLv3 licenses.Ross Burtonhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-gplv2
meta-initramfsmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapinitramfs toolsPaul Eggleton and Andrea Adamihttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-intelmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapOfficial layer for Intel platform/board support.Anuj Mittalhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-intel
meta-mingwmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapOpenEmbedded meta layer for mingw based SDKsRichard Purdiehttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-mingw
meta-multimediamaster, kirkstone, scarthgapMultimedia-related softwareKoen Kooihttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-netbootmaster, kirkstoneThis layer contains some recipes and configuration adjustments to allow network boot through NBD (network boot device).Jan-Simon Möllerhttps://git.automotivelinux.org/AGL/meta-agl/
meta-networkingmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapNetwork-related softwareJoe MacDonaldhttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-oemaster, kirkstone, scarthgapAdditional shared OE metadataKhem Rajhttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-perlmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapAdditional Perl recipes beyond those provided in OE-CoreHongxu Jiahttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-pokymaster, kirkstone, scarthgapPoky reference distribution for the Yocto ProjectRichard Purdiehttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-yocto
meta-pythonmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapRecipes for packaging Python modulesDerek Straka and Tim "moto-timo" Orlinghttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-raspberrypikirkstoneRaspberry Pi board supportAndrei Gherzanhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-raspberrypi
meta-rz-bspscarthgap, kirkstoneSimple BSP for Renesas RZ reference platformsChris Patersonhttps://github.com/renesas-rz/rz-community-bsp
meta-ti-bspmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapThe official OpenEmbedded/Yocto BSP layer for Texas Instruments platforms.Ryan Eatmon and Denys Dmytriyenkohttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-ti
meta-ti-extrasmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapLayer with extra components to extend Texas Instruments BSP layerRyan Eatmon and Denys Dmytriyenkohttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-ti
meta-virtualizationmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapHypervisor, virtualization tool stack, and cloud supportBruce Ashfieldhttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-virtualization
meta-webservermaster, kirkstone, scarthgapWeb server related softwareDerek Strakahttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-xfcemaster, kirkstone, scarthgapXFCE UI supportAndreas Müllerhttp://cgit.openembedded.org/meta-openembedded
meta-yocto-bspmaster, kirkstone, scarthgapBSP layer for Yocto Project reference hardwareRichard Purdiehttp://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/meta-yocto
openembedded-coremaster, kirkstone, scarthgapCore metadataRichard Purdiehttp://cgit.openembedded.org/openembedded-core