cobalt-rdk-deploy

Builds, deploys, runs, resets, and inspects logs for Cobalt on RDK devices using deploy_rdk.py. Also handles flashing RDK system images via flash_rdk.py when explicitly requested. Use when compiling or launching Cobalt, running GTest suites, resetting display sessions, fetching journalctl logs, or flashing RDK boxes. Don't use for generic Linux, Android, or Raspberry Pi builds.

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Repository: youtube/cobalt
Last source activity: July 22, 2026 at 03:25
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Cobalt RDK Deploy Skill

A skill for building, deploying, running, and debugging Cobalt on RDK devices using the deploy_rdk.py CLI script, and flashing system software using flash_rdk.py.

Quick Start

Create aliases for RDK scripts:

alias deploy_rdk='python3 starboard/contrib/rdk/src/third_party/starboard/rdk/arm/scripts/deploy_rdk.py' alias flash_rdk='python3 starboard/contrib/rdk/src/third_party/starboard/rdk/arm/scripts/flash_rdk.py'

Execution Protocol

Always query --help first to inspect the available arguments and execution modes of the script:

deploy_rdk --help

Formulate and run the command directly based on the self-documenting options. Do not guess flags or hardcode command paths.

Avoid manual device interaction: Do NOT run raw shell commands (via adb shell or ssh) directly on the target device to perform pre-flight checks (such as verifying device properties, OS versions, symlinks, or config status). The deploy_rdk.py script automatically manages all version checks, configuration switches, display resets, and reboots internally. Trust the script and execute your formulated command directly.

Flashing RDK Device System Software:

If (and ONLY if) the user explicitly asks to flash or update the RDK system image, use flash_rdk.py:
```
flash_rdk --help
```
IMPORTANT: Do NOT refer to, mention, or suggest flash_rdk.py for general building, deployment, testing, resetting, or debugging tasks unless the user explicitly requests flashing or re-flashing the image / RDK box.

Identify the connection method:

ADB (Default): The script defaults to ADB for device interaction.
SSH/SCP: If you need to target a remote device over SSH, check --help for the IP-based configuration flags (e.g., --device-ip).

Do NOT use --no-rbe by default: Remote Build Execution (RBE) is enabled by default and must be used for compilation. Only pass the --no-rbe flag if RBE build commands fail.

Assume the toolchain is present: Do NOT pre-emptively check for the cross-compilation toolchain (do not run echo $RDK_HOME or list directories to verify sysroots). Assume it is fully configured and present by default. Only troubleshoot the toolchain or run --setup-toolchain if the compilation step (autoninja) fails with compiler/toolchain errors, or if the user explicitly requests it.