Short definitions for terms used across the docs.
- Bootstrap: The “first boot” script. It clones a pinned repo ref and runs the installer.
- Install marker: A file (default:
/var/lib/runner/installed) that prevents rerunning install. - Repo pinning: Installing from a specific branch/tag/commit via
RUNNER_BOOTSTRAP_REPO_URL+RUNNER_BOOTSTRAP_REPO_REF.
- systemd: The Linux init/service manager. Starts services at boot, restarts them on failure, and enforces ordering.
- Unit: A systemd configuration file that describes something systemd manages (for example:
.service,.timer). - Service: A unit (
.service) describing how to run a process (ExecStart, restart policy, dependencies). - Timer: A unit (
.timer) that triggers a service on a schedule. - ConditionPathExists: A directive that conditions unit start on a path existing (or not existing).
- journald: The system logging daemon used by systemd.
- journalctl: The command used to read logs from journald.
- Container hooks: A GitHub Actions runner integration point configured via
ACTIONS_RUNNER_CONTAINER_HOOKS. The runner invokes a hook script with a JSON payload and expects a JSON response written to a response file.
- systemd-nspawn: A lightweight container manager that can boot a full userspace with a systemd PID1 inside a guest.
- Devcontainer: A Docker image + configuration used to provide a consistent toolchain for development and CI.
- Bats (Bash Automated Testing System): The test framework used for Bash scripts.
- kcov: Coverage tool used here to measure Bash line coverage and enforce 100% coverage in CI.