AGENTS.md — BitBake

Guidance for AI agents working in the bitbake repository.

Making changes

  • 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 -> 3.2.1 or classes/rootfs-postcommands: fix typo. Check git 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, Cc tags where relevant.

AI-generated code

  • Mandatory: any AI-generated code/commit must add an AI-Generated: tag line in the commit message, placed before Signed-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-by should be omitted in favor of the AI-generated tag.

When in doubt about a convention, grep git log --oneline <path> in the target repo for precedent before inventing a new style.