OpenEmbedded (OE) is a build automation framework and cross-compile environment used to create Linux distributions for embedded devices.

Historically, OpenEmbedded recipes were stored in a single repository, and the metadata was structured as what is now called "OpenEmbedded-Classic".

The lowest layer, which includes platform-independent and distribution-independent meta data is called "OpenEmbedded-Core".

Additionally, changes to the recipes at the core layer are now managed with a pull model: instead of committing their changes directly to the repository (as was previously the case), developers now send patches to a mailing list.

Overview of layers is available in: layers.openembedded.org/layerindex/branch/master/layers/ In OpenEmbedded-Classic, the configurations from Base- to the UI-Layer can be supplemented by various Linux distributions.