Coreboot

Coreboot is a free and open-source firmware replacement for proprietary BIOS/UEFI. It provides fast boot times, enhanced security through verified boot, and complete transparency of the firmware stack. Multiple porting efforts target Framework laptops, covering both AMD and Intel models¹²³.

Background

The Framework community has long requested coreboot support since the laptop's launch in 2021¹⁴. In January 2022, Framework open-sourced their EC firmware, and the coreboot discussion became the main tracking thread for firmware liberation efforts¹. Framework has stated that moving to open UEFI/BIOS solutions is "on the list of things that we are exploring"¹.

AMD Ports

Azalea (Framework 13 AMD Ryzen 7040 Series)

Martin Roth (AMD firmware engineer) led experimental coreboot support for the Framework 13 AMD "Azalea" board (Ryzen 5 7640U / Ryzen 7 7840U). Announced in May 2024, this initial port uses AMD's FSP binary implementation (not openSIL) and is a proof-of-concept — suspend is not supported, boot times are longer due to full memory re-initialization, and flashing requires an SPI programmer⁵⁶⁷.

Specification	Details
Codename	Azalea
SoC	AMD Ryzen 7040 "Phoenix" (Zen 4)
Initialization	AMD FSP (binary)
Flash	32 MiB, 1.8V WSON8, socketed on early boards
Status	Experimental, proof-of-concept
Documentation	coreboot docs

An important limitation is that AMD's FSP and openSIL for Phoenix are "not fully featured" — the port is explicitly not production quality and is not recommended for daily-driver use⁷.

Framework 16 + openSIL Port (2026)

In March 2026, 9elements (Alicja Michalska) began porting coreboot with AMD openSIL (Open-Source Silicon Initialization) to the first-generation Ryzen 7000 series Framework 16. This is a significant step as openSIL is AMD's open-source replacement for the proprietary AGESA binary blob, designed to be integrated directly into coreboot⁸⁹¹⁰.

The Framework 13 "Lotus" (AMD Phoenix) is expected to follow. Work is in early stages, tackling memory training and early SoC initialization. openSIL provides CPU initialization, memory controller setup and training, PCIe and I/O initialization, and power management configuration⁸⁹¹¹.

openSIL is AMD's roadmap for Zen 6 platforms — making these ports critical validation for the library's production readiness⁹¹².

Intel Ports

Marigold (Framework 13 Intel Core Ultra Series 1 / Meteor Lake)

Merged into coreboot in June 2026, Marigold supports the Framework 13 with Intel Core Ultra Series 1 (Meteor Lake). Most functionality works: eDP display, WiFi/Bluetooth, USB devices, camera, fingerprint reader, I2C HID touchpad and ALS sensor, keyboard media keys, audio, and HDMI audio over USB-C DP-Alt mode. Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 and S0ix support are implemented but not yet fully tested¹³¹⁴¹⁵.

Coreboot commit 4ad42c2 adds the board with FSP binaries. Production systems ship with BootGuard fused, so coreboot images will not boot on fused units — development is done on unfused systems with socketed ROMs¹⁴.

Sakura (Framework 13 Intel Core Ultra Series 3 / Panther Lake)

Added in Framework's downstream coreboot repository, Sakura targets the upcoming Framework 13 with Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3). Support is at a similar maturity to Marigold¹⁵.

Firmware Details

Model	Codename	SoC	Init	Status
Framework 13 AMD (7040)	Azalea	Ryzen 7040U (Phoenix)	FSP	Experimental5
Framework 13 AMD (7040)	Lotus	Ryzen 7040U (Phoenix)	openSIL	WIP8
Framework 16 AMD (7040)	—	Ryzen 7040HS (Phoenix)	openSIL	Early WIP8
Framework 13 Intel (Meteor Lake)	Marigold	Core Ultra 1 (Meteor Lake)	FSP	Upstream13
Framework 13 Intel (Panther Lake)	Sakura	Core Ultra 3 (Panther Lake)	FSP	Downstream15

Flashing

All Framework coreboot ports require external hardware flashing (WSON8 test clip + 1.8V SPI programmer). Internal flashing is possible from a running coreboot image, but initial installation and recovery from a failed flash require hardware access. Backup of the original ROM is mandatory before attempting⁶⁷¹⁴.

Limitations

• Suspend (S3/S0i3) is not supported on AMD ports⁵⁷
• Boot times are longer on AMD due to full memory retraining each boot (no APOB data save)⁵
• USB4 has not been fully tested on Intel ports¹⁴
• BootGuard on production Intel units prevents coreboot from booting unless unfused¹⁴
• Binary blobs (FSP, AMD firmware) are still required — only openSIL provides a fully open initialization path⁵⁸

Community & Industry Impact

The porting efforts involve multiple firms and individuals:

• Martin Roth (AMD) — Azalea proof-of-concept⁵
• 9elements (Alicja Michalska) — openSIL port to Framework 16/13⁸
• 3mdeb — Parallel openSIL work on AMD EPYC and AM5 platforms⁸
• Framework Computer — Downstream coreboot repo for Marigold/Sakura¹⁵

Successful coreboot ports would give Framework laptop owners complete firmware transparency, potential for custom boot logos, better long-term support independent of manufacturer updates, and reduced dependency on proprietary firmware blobs⁹. The collaboration between Framework, AMD (openSIL), and the coreboot community sets a benchmark for open firmware on modern laptops¹².

Footnotes

1. [RESPONDED] Coreboot on the Framework Laptop — Framework Community (2021–2026) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. Coreboot — Official Website ↩

3. Coreboot 24.05 Release — coreboot blog (May 2024) ↩

4. Support #387: Support Framework Laptop — coreboot Issue Tracker ↩

5. Framework 13 AMD Laptop Seeing Experimental Coreboot Port — Phoronix (May 2024) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

6. Framework 13 AMD Coreboot Port — Forum Post #418 — Framework Community (Martin Roth) ↩ ↩²

7. coreboot Gerrit: Azalea Board Documentation — coreboot (Martin Roth) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

8. Framework 16 Gen1 Seeing Coreboot + AMD openSIL Port — Phoronix (March 2026) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

9. Coreboot/OpenSIL Porting Underway for AMD FW16 — Framework Community ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

10. 9elements — Coreboot + openSIL on Framework 16 — LavX News (March 2026) ↩

11. The Liberation of Firmware: Coreboot and AMD openSIL — Linux Portal (June 2026) ↩

12. AMD openSIL Project — AMD ↩ ↩²

13. Framework Computer Making Progress On Coreboot For Intel Laptops — Phoronix (June 2026) ↩ ↩²

14. coreboot commit: mb/framework: Add marigold — coreboot GitHub ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

15. Framework Laptop 13 Intel Core Ultra Series 1 (Marigold) — coreboot docs — coreboot ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴