Linux kernel project continuity¶

The Linux kernel development project is widely distributed, with over100 maintainers each working to keep changes moving through their ownrepositories. The final step, though, is a centralized one where changesare pulled into the mainline repository. That is normally done by LinusTorvalds but, as was demonstrated by the 4.19 release in 2018, there areothers who can do that work when the need arises.

Should the maintainers of that repository become unwilling or unable todo that work going forward (including facilitating a transition), theproject will need to find one or more replacements without delay. Theprocess by which that will be done is listed below. $ORGANIZER is thelast Maintainer Summit organizer or the current Linux Foundation (LF)Technical Advisory Board (TAB) Chair as a backup.

• Within 72 hours, $ORGANIZER will open a discussion with the inviteesof the most recently concluded Maintainers Summit. A meeting of thoseinvitees and the TAB, either online or in-person, will be set as soonas possible in a way that maximizes the number of people who canparticipate.

• If there has been no Maintainers Summit in the last 15 months, the set ofinvitees for this meeting will be determined by the TAB.

• The invitees to this meeting may bring in other maintainers as needed.

• This meeting, chaired by $ORGANIZER, will consider options for theongoing management of the top-level kernel repository consistent withthe expectation that it maximizes the long term health of the projectand its community.

• Within two weeks, a representative of this group will communicate to thebroader community, using theksummit@lists.linux.dev mailing list, whatthe next steps will be.

The Linux Foundation, as guided by the TAB, will take the stepsnecessary to support and implement this plan.