Minimal Footprint
Only 1MB core with zero bloat. Optimized for resource-constrained devices from single-core microcontrollers to multi-core SoCs. Runs on any Linux kernel—ARM, ARM64, x86, MIPS, RISC-V and beyond.
What is Pantavisor Linux?
Pantavisor Linux is a lightweight container orchestration framework purpose-built for embedded Linux. Convert any Docker container into efficient LXC format and deploy it across your entire device fleet—from resource-constrained devices to multi-core systems.
Eliminate complex firmware management workflows. Turn your OS, BSP, middleware, and applications into portable, versioned building blocks that can be deployed, tested, and updated transactionally over-the-air across millions of devices.
- Minimal footprint: 1MB core with no dependencies
- Universal deployment: Works on any Linux architecture (ARM, ARM64, x86, MIPS, RISC-V)
- Zero downtime updates: Atomic, transactional deployments
Why Choose Pantavisor Linux?
Pantavisor Linux eliminates the complexity of managing fragmented embedded systems. Get a unified framework for deployment, versioning, and OTA updates—so your team can focus on building products, not managing infrastructure.
Lightning Fast
No bloated userland or unnecessary services. Pantavisor does one thing well: orchestrate container lifecycle management. The result? Snappy performance with zero runtime overhead compared to bare metal.
Modular Architecture
Built on pluggable runtime architecture (LXC-first). Compose your system from reusable building blocks: kernel, firmware, OS, middleware, and apps. Version and deploy independently.
Native Performance
Userland containerization (ring-3) means zero virtualization overhead. Your applications run at bare-metal speeds while gaining all the lifecycle management benefits of modern container orchestration.
Secure OTA Updates
Atomic, transactional deployments with cryptographic verification. No more complex update logic—Pantavisor handles versioning, rollback, and secure delivery to millions of devices automatically.
Reproducible Builds
Define your system as code. Every build is deterministic and can be version-controlled. Share components with your team, community, or customers through pantavisor.io registry.
Get Started in Minutes
Manage your device firmware with a few simple commands
# Install Pantavisor CLI (PVR)
curl -sL https://gitlab.com/pantacor/pvr/-/raw/master/install.sh | bash
# Clone your device firmware repository
pvr clone http://DEVICE_IP:12368/cgi-bin device_name
# Navigate to device directory
cd device_name
# Add a container application to your device
pvr app add --from-registry registry.gitlab.com/pantacor/pantavisor-web-status:master pwebstatus
# Commit and deploy to your device
pvr add . && pvr commit && pvr sig update && pvr commit && pvr post
# Done! Container deployed - web status available at port 5001
Choose Your Path
Four Ways to Manage Your Devices
Pantavisor exposes a unified, open protocol for managing device lifecycle and updates. Choose the interaction method that best fits your workflow—or build your own:
PVR CLI
The Pantavisor CLI (PVR) is the primary command-line tool for developers. Clone, manage, and deploy device firmware with powerful Git-like commands for complete version control over your embedded systems.
PVTX REST API
Local device management via REST API without cloud dependencies. Deploy device exports, manage containers, commit changes, and monitor update status directly on the device. Perfect for edge environments and offline operations.
Pantahub Platform
Enterprise device state management. Use cloud-hosted Pantahub for multi-device coordination, fleet management, and OTA deployment at scale. Or deploy Pantahub-Base (Apache 2.0 licensed, open-source) on your infrastructure.
Custom Implementation
The Pantavisor update protocol is open and standardized. Build your own management tools, CI/CD integrations, or custom workflows that fit your unique infrastructure and deployment requirements.
Ready to Get Started?
Follow our comprehensive guides to set up Pantavisor Linux on your device and start building containerized embedded systems.
- Quick Start Guide – Flash your first image and complete initial setup
- Install Applications – Deploy containers on your device
- FAQ – Common questions and troubleshooting
- Core Concepts – Understand Pantavisor architecture
Questions? Check out our full learning resources or reach out to the Pantavisor community.