Extract Jetson Linux + sample-rootfs tarballs and run apply_binaries.sh for the active target, then record bsp_image in the profile. Use after jetson-init-target; not for source-tree setup.
Scanned 9/3/2026
Install to Claude Code
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---
name: jetson-init-image
description: >-
Extract Jetson Linux + sample-rootfs tarballs and run
apply_binaries.sh for the active target, then record bsp_image in
the profile. Use after jetson-init-target; not for source-tree
setup.
version: 0.0.1
license: "Apache-2.0"
metadata:
data-classification: public
author: "Jetson Team"
tags:
- bsp
- image
- bootstrap
domain: meta
---
# Initialize BSP Image
Output is only `bsp_image:` in the active profile: derived `version`
plus `root_path` only when overriding `<workspace>/Image`.
## When to invoke
- The user asks to extract, prepare, or initialize the BSP image.
- A downstream skill reports missing
`<bsp_image.root_path>/Linux_for_Tegra/`.
- The active profile has no `bsp_image:` block yet.
## Procedure
### Resolve target and image path
Resolve the active profile per
[`../../context/target-platform-contract.md`](../../context/target-platform-contract.md).
Refuse if there is no active profile or `reference_devkit:` is missing.
`<workspace>` is the parent of the active profile's `target-platform/`
directory. `<bsp_image.root_path>` defaults to `<workspace>/Image`.
| Profile state | Action |
|---|---|
| `bsp_image.root_path` exists | Use it without prompting. |
| `bsp_image:` exists without `root_path` | Use `<workspace>/Image`. |
| No `bsp_image:` block | Ask once: Enter for default, or absolute override path. |
For an override, validate that the closest existing parent is writable.
Omit `root_path` when the default is used.
### Determine GPU stack
Use the shared GPU-driver invariant from
[`../../context/target-platform-contract.md`](../../context/target-platform-contract.md#derived-platform-facts).
Derive the expected stack from `reference_devkit.module.id` and the
catalogue:
| Chip family | Module IDs | Stack | `apply_binaries.sh` flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| T234 / Orin | `p3701`, `p3767` | nvgpu | none |
| T264 and later / Thor+ | `p3834` | OpenRM | `--openrm` |
Refuse unknown module IDs. The `--openrm` flag is only valid on BSP
releases that ship the OpenRM stack; if the active BSP doesn't expose
the flag, omit it regardless of what the target wants.
### Reuse or extract
If `<bsp_image.root_path>/Linux_for_Tegra/` already exists:
1. Do not extract over it unless the user explicitly requested
re-extraction and accepted the overwrite risk.
2. Derive the on-disk version from `Linux_for_Tegra/nv_tegra_release`.
Ask before replacing a different recorded `bsp_image.version`.
3. Verify the installed GPU stack against the platform-derived
expectation when possible. Detection precedence (first probe that
yields a definitive answer wins):
1. `Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs/etc/nv_tegra_release` carries an
`INSTALL_TYPE=` token on BSP releases that expose it (newer
lines). Read and compare directly.
2. Otherwise, `find Linux_for_Tegra -name nvgpu.ko`: present →
nvgpu, absent → OpenRM.
3. If the chip family has only ever shipped one stack (e.g. T234 /
Orin is always nvgpu in current BSPs), fall back to the
catalogue-derived expectation without disk probing.
If the installed stack conflicts with the active target, refuse and ask
the user to re-extract with the correct stack or fix the target profile.
Otherwise skip extraction and update the profile.
### Locate tarballs
When extraction is needed, search:
1. `<bsp_image.root_path>/`
2. `<workspace>/`
3. current working directory
Prompt for absolute paths for anything missing. Required filenames:
- `Jetson_Linux_R<ver>_aarch64.tbz2`
- `Tegra_Linux_Sample-Root-Filesystem_R<ver>_aarch64.tbz2`
Both filenames must contain the same `R<ver>` token. Refuse mismatches
and record `<ver>` as `bsp_image.version`. Do not download tarballs.
### Extract and apply binaries
Use absolute tarball paths; they may live outside
`<bsp_image.root_path>`.
```bash
ROOT="<bsp_image.root_path>"
BSP_TARBALL="<absolute path to Jetson_Linux_R<ver>_aarch64.tbz2>"
ROOTFS_TARBALL="<absolute path to Tegra_Linux_Sample-Root-Filesystem_R<ver>_aarch64.tbz2>"
mkdir -p "$ROOT"
tar xjf "$BSP_TARBALL" -C "$ROOT"
sudo tar xpjf "$ROOTFS_TARBALL" -C "$ROOT/Linux_for_Tegra/rootfs"
cd "$ROOT/Linux_for_Tegra"
if [ "$GPU_STACK" = "openrm" ]; then
sudo ./apply_binaries.sh --openrm
else
sudo ./apply_binaries.sh
fi
```
Set `GPU_STACK` from the "Determine GPU stack" step above. Abort on the first failing command and
surface the failed command.
### Update the active profile
Persist the resolved BSP image metadata in the active target profile so
later skills can find the BSP without re-prompting. Preserve existing
blocks, comments, and quoted SKU values; use a round-tripping YAML
writer such as `ruamel.yaml`.
```yaml
bsp_image:
root_path: <absolute override path> # omit for <workspace>/Image
version: "<derived version>"
```
Rules:
- Same version and same root path: no rewrite.
- Different version: ask before updating.
- Different recorded `root_path`: refuse automatic rewrite.
- Always quote `version`.
## Finish
Report the image path, extracted vs reused state, GPU stack, derived
version, and profile update status. Then suggest `/jetson-init-source`.
## Purpose
Materialize `Linux_for_Tegra/` on disk by extracting the right Jetson
Linux + sample-rootfs tarballs and running `apply_binaries.sh` with
the GPU-stack flag derived from the active target (nvgpu for T234,
OpenRM for T264+). Then commit the derived BSP version into the
profile's `bsp_image:` block.
## Prerequisites
- Active target profile resolved per
`../../context/target-platform-contract.md`.
- Jetson Linux BSP tarball and matching sample-rootfs tarball staged
on disk (e.g. by `/jetson-download-bsp` or hand-placed).
- Write access to the workspace `Image/` root (or the override
`bsp_image.root_path`).
- `sudo` available for `apply_binaries.sh`.
## Limitations
- Writes only the `bsp_image:` block; source tree, documents, and
carrier profile are owned by sibling skills.
- Refuses to overwrite an existing `Linux_for_Tegra/` without explicit
user direction.
- Does not download tarballs; rely on `/jetson-download-bsp` or
hand-stage the inputs.
## Troubleshooting
- **`apply_binaries.sh` exits non-zero** — re-read its console output;
most failures are missing `sudo`, missing rootfs tarball, or wrong
GPU stack flag for the SoC generation.
- **`nv_tegra_release` absent after extract** — extraction stopped
early; verify tarball integrity and rerun.
- **Recorded `version` disagrees with the tarball filename** — the
tarball was renamed; trust the value parsed from
`Linux_for_Tegra/nv_tegra_release` over filenames.
- **Different recorded `root_path` already in profile** — refuse and
ask the user to confirm before overwriting.
## References
- [`../../context/target-platform-contract.md`](../../context/target-platform-contract.md)
- [`../../references/bsp-platforms-catalogue.md`](../../references/bsp-platforms-catalogue.md)
- [`../../references/platform_template.yaml`](../../references/platform_template.yaml)
- [`../jetson-init-target/SKILL.md`](../jetson-init-target/SKILL.md)
- [`../jetson-init-source/SKILL.md`](../jetson-init-source/SKILL.md)
- [`../jetson-flash-image/SKILL.md`](../jetson-flash-image/SKILL.md)
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