CoreShift-GKI

CoreShift-GKI is a GitHub Actions-based Android GKI LTS kernel builder.

It helps you build flashable custom GKI kernels without setting up a full Android kernel build environment locally. You choose a kernel family, root manager, and optional features in GitHub Actions, then download the generated output.

Custom kernels can bootloop your device. Use this only if you know how to recover with recovery or fastboot.

What CoreShift-GKI Builds

CoreShift-GKI can build Android GKI LTS kernels for supported Android kernel families and package them into flashable AnyKernel zip files.

It is designed for:

• Android power users
• Root users
• Custom ROM users
• Kernel testers
• Users who can recover from a bad kernel flash

It is not a universal compatibility layer. A build that boots on one device, ROM, or Android version may not boot on another.

Supported Kernel Families

Android GKI family	Kernel version
Android 12 GKI	5.10
Android 14 GKI	6.1
Android 15 GKI	6.6

Your selected GKI version must match your device and ROM.

Supported Root Manager Choices

Choice	Meaning
Vanilla	No root manager
KernelSU	KernelSU support
KernelSU-Next	KernelSU-Next support
KowSU	KowSU support
ResukiSU	ResukiSU support
Rissu	Rissu support
Wild_KSU	Wild_KSU support

For your first root build, choose one manager and keep advanced features off. Confirm the kernel boots before enabling SUSFS or other extra features.

Build Workflows

Workflow	Purpose
Custom Kernel Build	Build one custom kernel with selected options.
Build Kernel Release Matrix	Build the curated release set.
Build Kernel	Build a simpler, less experimental kernel with fewer options.

Most users should start with Build Kernel or Custom Kernel Build.

Quick Start

1. Fork this repository.
2. Open the Actions tab in your fork.
3. Choose a workflow.
4. Select your kernel version, manager, and options.
5. Run the workflow.
6. Download the generated AnyKernel zip or artifact.
7. Flash only after confirming you selected the correct GKI version for your device.

Recommended Starting Points

Goal	Recommended settings
First test build	Vanilla, thin LTO, advanced options off
First root build	One root manager, SUSFS off, BBG off
SUSFS build	Confirm the same manager boots first, then enable SUSFS
BBG build	Confirm the non-BBG build boots first, then enable BBG
Debug build	Enable debug features only when troubleshooting

Start small. Boot a basic build first, then add one advanced feature at a time.

Option Guide

Option	Meaning
kernel_version	Target Android GKI family: 5.10, 6.1, or 6.6.
manager	Root manager integration. Use Vanilla for no root manager.
manager_ref	Optional manager git ref, commit, or tag for advanced testing.
lto	Link-time optimization. thin is the safest default.
susfs	SUSFS4KSU support. Advanced root-hiding/spoofing feature.
baseband_guard	Baseband Guard support. Advanced protection feature.
container_features	Enables container-related kernel options in custom builds.
performance_features	Enables performance-oriented options. Use only when needed.
debug_features	Enables debugging/tracing options. Not needed for normal use.
strict_config	Fails the build if required config options are missing.
legacy_kmi_check	Controls the legacy 5.10 KMI check behavior.
publish_mode	Chooses release output, artifact output, or both.

Some workflows intentionally show fewer options to keep normal builds simpler and safer.

Safety Checklist

Before flashing any build:

• Back up your current boot, init_boot, and vendor_boot images if your device uses them.
• Keep a known-good kernel, boot image, or ROM package ready.
• Know how to use recovery or fastboot.
• Confirm your device uses the selected GKI kernel family.
• Test a basic build before enabling SUSFS, BBG, container, performance, or debug features.
• Do not flash builds meant for a different Android/GKI family.

Flash at your own risk.

Compatibility Notes

CoreShift-GKI builds Android GKI kernels, but compatibility still depends on your device, ROM, vendor modules, boot image layout, and Android version.

A kernel may fail to boot if:

• The selected GKI version does not match your ROM.
• Vendor modules are incompatible.
• The boot image layout differs from what the package expects.
• A root manager or advanced patch is incompatible with your kernel family.
• SUSFS or BBG changes conflict with your device or ROM.

When testing, change one thing at a time.

Outputs

Custom builds can publish outputs in three modes:

Mode	Output
artifact	Uploads build artifacts through GitHub Actions.
release	Creates a GitHub release.
both	Uploads artifacts and creates a release.

Typical outputs include:

• Flashable AnyKernel zip
• Raw kernel Image
• Exported kernel config

Most users should flash the AnyKernel zip, not the raw Image.

Artifact Note

GitHub downloads artifacts as zip files. To avoid a zip-inside-zip problem, artifact mode may upload a staged AnyKernel tree instead of uploading an already zipped package.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What to try
Build failed	Re-run with fewer options. Start from Vanilla and thin LTO.
Device bootloops	Restore your boot images or flash a known-good kernel.
Full LTO build was killed	Use thin LTO. Full LTO needs more memory.
Root manager is not detected	Build the manager without SUSFS first, then test SUSFS separately.
SUSFS does not work	Confirm the same manager boots without SUSFS first.
BBG causes issues	Test the same build with BBG off, then compare logs.
Feature does not work	Rebuild with only that feature enabled.
Wrong kernel version	Rebuild with the GKI version used by your ROM/device.

Recovery Reminder

A successful build does not guarantee a successful boot. Keep recovery access ready before flashing.

License

This project is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. See LICENSE.