---
title: Getting Started Building Software
---

## Prerequisites

_Make sure you followed the install instructions to [prepare the system]({{< relref "install_instructions#system-preparation" >}}) and install the [compiler toolchain]({{< relref "install_instructions#compiler-toolchain" >}})._

## Building software

OpenTitan software is built using [Meson](https://mesonbuild.com).
However, Meson is not an exact fit for a lot of things OpenTitan does (such as distinguishing between FPGA, ASIC, and simulations), so the setup is a little bit different.

For example, the following commands build the `boot_rom` and `hello_world` binaries for FPGA:

```console
# Configure the Meson environment.
$ cd $REPO_TOP
$ ./meson_init.sh

# Build the two targets we care about, specifically.
$ ninja -C build-out sw/device/boot_rom/boot_rom_export_fpga_cw310
$ ninja -C build-out sw/device/examples/hello_world/hello_world_export_fpga_cw310

# Build *everything*, including targets for other devices.
$ ninja -C build-out all
```

Note that specific targets are followed by the device they are built for.
OpenTitan needs to link the same device executable for multiple devices, so each executable target is duplicated one for each device we support.

In general, `clean` rules are unnecessary, and Meson will set up `ninja` such that it reruns `meson.build` files which have changed.

Build intermediates will show up in `$REPO_TOP/build-out`, including unlinked object files and libraries, while completed executables are exported to `$REPO_TOP/build-bin`.
As a rule, you should only ever need to refer to artifacts inside of `build-bin`; the exact structure of `build-out` is subject to change.
Complete details of these semantics are documented in `util/build_consts.sh`.

The locations of `build-{out,bin}` can be controled by setting the `$BUILD_ROOT` enviromnent variable, which defaults to `$REPO_TOP`.

`./meson_init.sh` itself is idempotent, but this behavior can be changed with additional flags; see `./meson_init.sh` for more information.
For this reason, most examples involving Meson will include a call to `./meson_init.sh`, but you will rarely need to run it more than once per checkout.

Building an executable `foo` destined to run on the OpenTitan device `$DEVICE` will output the following files under `build-bin/sw/device`:
* `foo_$DEVICE.elf`: the linked program, in ELF format.
* `foo_$DEVICE.bin`: the linked program, as a plain binary with ELF debug information removed.
* `foo_$DEVICE.dis`: the disassembled program with inline source code.
* `foo_$DEVICE.vmem`: a Verilog memory file which can be read by `$readmemh()` in Verilog code.

In general, this executable is built by building the `foo_export_$DEVICE` target.

Building an executable destined to run on a host machine (i.e., under `sw/host`) will output a host excecutable under `build-bin/sw/host`, which can be run directly.

## Troubleshooting the build system

If you encounter an error running `./meson_init.sh` you could re-run using the `-f` flag which will erase any existing building directories to yield a clean build.
This sledgehammer is only intended to be used as a last resort when the existing configuration is seriously broken.

```console
$ ./meson_init.sh -f
```

If any `meson.build` files are changed the configuration can be regenerated by passing the `-r` flag to `./meson_init.sh`

```console
$ ./meson_init.sh -r
```

## Bringing your own toolchain

`./meson_init.sh` needs to know where the toolchain you are using is, and which tools from it should be used.

If you are using the lowrisc-provided toolchain (obtained with `get-toolchain.py`), and it is installed in the default location (`/tools/riscv`), then `./meson_init.sh` does not need additional configuration.

If you are using the lowrisc-provided toolchain, but have located it in a non-default location (using `get-toolchain.py -t /path/to/lowrisc/toolchain`), you can use the environment variable `TOOLCHAIN_PATH` to point to your toolchain location, like so:
```console
$ export TOOLCHAIN_PATH=/path/to/lowrisc/toolchain
$ ./meson_init.sh
```

If you have moved a lowrisc-provided toolchain (obtained with `get-toolchain.py`), you will need to update paths within the meson toolchain configuration files within the toolchain installation.
These are called `meson-<triple>-<compiler>.txt`, and are present in toolchains since version 20200602-1.
You can still use `TOOLCHAIN_PATH` to point to the toolchain location if you have updated the paths within these files.

If you have built your own toolchain by following option 2 under [Installing Software Build Requirements]({{< relref "doc/ug/install_instructions/index#device-compiler-toolchain-rv32imc" >}}), then you need to point `./meson_init.sh` to your custom toolchain file using `-t FILE`:

```console
$ ./meson_init -t /path/to/toolchain/file
```

If you do not specify your own toolchain configuration file (using `./meson_init.sh -t`), and `meson_init.sh` cannot find the default configuration in your toolchain, the legacy `toolchain.txt` from the main OpenTitan repository will be used.
If `TOOLCHAIN_PATH` is set, this will be used to update any paths within the legacy configuration.

## Debugging device software

### Attaching a debugger

GDB can be used to debug device software running on an FPGA or in a Verilator simulation.
Refer to the [Getting started on FPGAs]({{<relref getting_started_fpga >}}) and [Verilator]({{<relref getting_started_verilator >}}) guides for more details.

### Disassembling device code

A disassembly of all executable sections is produced by the build system by default.
It can be found by looking for files with the `.dis` extension next to the corresponding ELF file.

To get a different type of disassembly, e.g. one which includes data sections in addition to executable sections, objdump can be called manually.
For example the following command shows how to disassemble all sections of the UART DIF smoke test interleaved with the actual source code.

```console
$ riscv32-unknown-elf-objdump --disassemble-all --headers --line-numbers --source build-bin/sw/device/tests/dif_uart_smoketest_sim_verilator.elf
```

Refer to the output of `riscv32-unknown-elf-objdump --help` for a full list of options.