How to get the Chromium OS/Chrome OS source code

Posted by Andrew.

Google released Chromium OS open source project. The code of Chromium OS is free, accessible to anyone and open for contributions. In this tutorial we will see how to download the source code for the Chromium OS project.

Note: If you just want to see the code, you can browse or search the source code repository.

Method 1: Download Chromium OS Source Code directly (cannot commit changes)

Please download the tar.gz file and unpack it into a local directory called chromiumos:

Download Link: chromiumos-0.4.22.8.tar.gz

File size: 232 MB

Method 2: Using Git to get the source

1. Get the chromium depot tools. Make sure they are earlier in your path than any other gcl binaries on your system.
2. Install git onto your local machine:

sudo apt-get install git-core

3. Get a copy of the Chromium OS repository.

mkdir [chromiumos]
cd [chromiumos]
gclient config http://src.chromium.org/git/chromiumos.git
gclient sync

Note: This process may appear to hang while downloading the kernel source. It may take anywhere up to 10-20 minutes before you get more feedback.

Directory structure of Chromium OS source code

The following document details the source tree hierarchy you are likely to encounter while developing for Chromium OS:

• repo

This directory contains the build dev packages that are listed in the repo_list_dev.

• src

The main src directory. All files that are built and end up in the final Chromium OS image are located here.

• build

This directory is created when you build from inside the chroot environment.

• images

Has built images from our build_image.sh script in folders by corresponding build numbers

• x86

The x86 directory (and others, once we support different architectures) has the local_packages that are created from all the individual make_pkg.sh's within platforms and third_party

• common

Contains includes and libraries for logging and flags.

• package_repo

Contains text files that list the packages used in building a Chromium OS image.

• platform

Contains all Chromium OS packages that are created completely for Chromium OS.

• scripts

Contains the many necessary scripts to help you build a Chromium OS system.

• tests

Contains system-level Autotest tests that our testers use to test every image release candidate.

• third_party

Contains open source packages we have modified and are using for Chromium OS.

Other resource about Chromium OS/Chrome OS

• Guide: Free download Google Chrome OS
• It is for real! Google released Chromium OS open source project
• Google lists HP, Acer, Asus and Lenove among Chrome OS partners
• Is Google Chrome OS coming?
• Official Google Chrome Blog: Chrome OS FAQ
• Introducing the Google Chrome OS
• Chromium OS Source code hierarchy (Directory Structure)
• Getting and Building a Chromium-Based OS
• The Chromium Projects

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