OVERVIEW

modules-load is a lightweight, boot-safe utility for orchestrating kernel module loading via declarative configuration files.

Designed for early-boot environments, it processes configuration artifacts from standard modules-load.d directories and invokes modprobe(8) to reconcile system state.

The utility implements a strict directory precedence and shadowing model:

1. /etc/modules-load.d/ (Local Administration)
2. /run/modules-load.d/ (Runtime/Volatile)
3. /lib/modules-load.d/ (Vendor/Package Defaults)

Files in higher-priority directories shadow (mask) files with the same name in lower-priority directories.

FORMAT

• Configuration files must use the .conf extension.
• Format: One bare module name per line.
• Comments: Lines starting with # and empty lines are ignored.
• Policy: Module parameters should be defined in modprobe.d(5).

RATIONALE

For architectural background on the transition from imperative scripting to declarative orchestration, see RATIONALE.md.

REQUIREMENTS

Build-time

• POSIX sh(1p), make(1p) and "mandatory utilities"
• scdoc(1) to build manual pages

Runtime

• POSIX sh(1p) and "mandatory utilities"
• modprobe(8) provided by kmod

INSTALLATION

To install this package, run:

# as root
make install

Configuration parameters, including installation paths, are defined in config.mk.

DOCUMENTATION

Manual pages are shipped in /man and installed under the system manual hierarchy.

See modules-load(8) and modules-load.d(5) for usage and configuration details.

LICENSE

modules-load is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2 or later.

See COPYING for license terms and COPYRIGHT for notices.