ChiveBox

A BusyBox-style multi-call binary for embedded initramfs, written in Rust.

Features

• applets from uutils/coreutils and uutils/util-linux
• Custom implementations: init, mount, umount, blkid
• Simple shell (rush) with command history and tab completion
• Built-in chiveroot tool for generating initramfs with embedded chivebox source

Requirements

• cargo-zigbuild for cross-compilation

cargo install cargo-zigbuild

Usage

chiveroot - Build initramfs

chiveroot generates initramfs containing chivebox. It embeds chivebox source code, so you don't need git or separate source download.

cargo install --git https://github.com/pigmoral/chivebox chiveroot

# Build initramfs for RISC-V
chiveroot --target riscv64

# Include kernel modules and firmware
chiveroot --target riscv64 --modules /path/to/modules --firmware /path/to/firmware

# Use pre-built binary
chiveroot --target riscv64 --binary /path/to/chivebox # chivebox binary path

# Use local chivebox source instead of embedded source
chiveroot --target riscv64 --source /path/to/chivebox/ # chivebox source path

# Add extra files (such as extra binary)
chiveroot --target riscv64 --file /path/to/binary:/bin/binary

chivebox - Multi-call binary

# Run as specific applet
chivebox ls -la
chivebox cat file.txt
chivebox sh

# List available applets
chivebox --list

Build ChiveBox from source

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/pigmoral/chivebox
cd chivebox

# Build chivebox for RISC-V
cargo zigbuild --release --target riscv64gc-unknown-linux-musl

# Build chiveroot
cargo build --release -p chiveroot

# Or build entire workspace (including chivebox for your host architecture)
cargo build --release

Acknowledgments

• busybox - Inspiration for multi-call binary design
• uutils/coreutils - Coreutils in Rust
• uutils/util-linux - Util-linux in Rust
• u-root - A Go-based initramfs toolchain