What is Yocto and why is it used in embedded systems?

Codiax 25 September 2025

What is the Yocto project and why is it used?

The Yocto project is an open source initiative that provides developers with a flexible tool and standard way to create customised Linux systems for embedded devices, without being tied to any specific hardware.

The project is backed by the Linux Foundation, an active open source community and industry-leading technology and IT sponsors. Yocto makes it easy to build and customise distributions for different architectures, from ARM to x86 and PowerPC.

Getting started with Yocto Linux - a beginner's guide

The first thing you do is download Poky, which is the reference distribution and, together with OpenEmbedded, forms the actual build environment behind Yocto. With layers and recipes, you then build your own Linux image and customise everything in the codebase. All choices are made directly in configuration files and source code, giving full control over the outcome. It may seem a bit complicated at first, but once you've learnt the basics, you'll have a sustainable system that's easy to customise and keep up to date, without having to rely on pre-packaged solutions.

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Key benefits of the Yocto project

The Yocto project makes it easier and more efficient to build customised Linux distributions for embedded systems. The main benefits are:

  • brings together the best tools, recipes and infrastructure to build your own Linux distribution
  • helps you avoid doing the same job several times by reducing duplication
  • makes it easier to collaborate and reuse solutions between both commercial and open source projects
  • leverages strengths from other open projects such as OpenEmbedded and Eclipse for better functionality.

The difference between Yocto and other Linux distributions

  • Ubuntu Core

  • Compared to many other systems, the Yocto project is not a ready-made Linux distribution, but a toolkit used to create customised distributions. Ubuntu, especially Ubuntu Core, is a ready-made Linux distribution that is easy to start with and suitable for prototyping and development, but provides less freedom to customise content and size.

  • Debian

  • Debian is a Linux distribution available in both source and binary form, originating in the enterprise world for servers and workstations. The Yocto project, on the other hand, was created with a focus on embedded systems and their specific needs.

  • Buildroot

  • Buildroot is a simple and compact build system that provides fast results, but has limited features. The Yocto project requires longer build time and more disk space, but has a more advanced and maintainable system with more customisation options.

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Common uses of Yocto in embedded projects

Many people choose Yocto to create Linux distributions that can grow and change over time, without compromising system reliability and performance. Some common applications are:

  • Medical technology (monitoring equipment, imaging)
  • Industrial control systems and automation solutions
  • Automotive (infotainment, telematics)
  • Telecoms (routing, networks)
  • IoT (smart sensors, gateways, edge devices)
  • Consumer electronics (set-top boxes, security cameras)
  • Routers and commercial switches

In particular, the ability to create small, secure and unique Linux systems often makes Yocto the first choice in these environments.

The construction process in four steps with Yocto

Step 1: Prepare and specify

You start by defining the hardware architecture you will use, as well as the required policies, patches and configurations. You also make sure that your development environment is set up with all the necessary tools and dependencies.

Step 2: Download and build source code

Next, you let the build system fetch all the source code from specified sources, such as git repositories or tarball files. The source code is extracted and patched locally, then the software is incrementally configured and compiled.

Step 3: Package and verify

After the software is compiled, it is installed in a temporary staging area, where it is packaged in the desired format (deb, rpm or ipk). Throughout this process, thorough quality and sanity checks are run to ensure that everything is working properly.

Step 4: Create file system image

Finally, a package feed is generated and used to create the final root filesystem image. Now you can start testing and using the finished image file on your target platform.

Tips and common pitfalls when working with Yocto

Succeeding with Yocto requires good practices from the start. Here are some of our top tips to make your job easier:

  • Always set up and document your layers and dependencies from the start, as it saves a lot of time later.
  • Keep an eye on versioning and make sure your recipes are indeed compatible between different Yocto versions.
  • Go for a simple and small test image early on before expanding to make troubleshooting much easier.
  • Don't forget to continuously work on licences, security and Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), especially in commercial projects.

Frequently asked questions about Yocto

  • Is it possible to use Yocto for any hardware?

  • Yes, as long as there is a Board Support Package (BSP) for that platform. Major manufacturers and the community often offer ready-made layers to work from.

  • How often are new versions of Yocto released?

  • Major updates are released twice a year, while LTS versions are released every two to four years.

  • Can I build and test my Yocto image before I have the hardware?

  • Absolutely! Yocto supports QEMU emulation, so you can test your deployment in a virtual environment before you have access to the prototype or hardware.

Take a course in Yocto/OpenEmbedded

The courses Yocto/OpenEmbedded gives you the basics of creating your own embedded Linux distribution. You will learn the OpenEmbedded build system, its core elements such as layers, recipes, classes and configurations, as well as step by step how to build, customise and debug your systems. Contact us if you have questions, and we will help you get started.

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