How do I download OpenBSD or get its source code from openbsd.org?

Updated

The openbsd.org homepage gives you two separate starting points: Getting OpenBSD for installation images and Getting Source for the source tree. Use the first if you want to install or run the system, and the second if you want to read, build, or track the code. Before downloading, check that the release and hardware platform match what you need — the site lists the current release and the supported platforms.

Downloading OpenBSD

The homepage links to Download and Getting OpenBSD, which lead to the official download sites. The page states that OpenBSD is freely available from those sites and that the current release is OpenBSD 7.9, released May 19, 2026 — the 60th release.

Steps:

  1. Open the Getting OpenBSD entry from the homepage.
  2. Confirm you are looking at the current release (7.9 at the time of the site text).
  3. Pick the platform that matches your hardware. The site maintains a Hardware Platforms section describing supported platforms, so check it before choosing an image.
  4. Download from an official download site rather than a third-party mirror.

Expected result: you have an installation image for a supported platform and a known release version. A common snag is grabbing an image for the wrong architecture or an older release; the release number and platform name are the two things to verify first.

Getting the source code

The homepage provides a Getting Source entry, and the source is reachable through several routes listed on the site:

Route What it is
AnonCVS Anonymous CVS access to the source tree
CVSWeb Web browsing of the CVS repository
GitHub Mirror Read-only mirror on GitHub
GotHub Mirror Additional mirror

Choose based on what you want to do:

  • Just reading code or checking a file: CVSWeb or a mirror is the quickest path — no local setup.
  • Tracking changes over time: AnonCVS gives you a working checkout you can update.
  • Working with familiar tooling: the GitHub or GotHub mirrors fit workflows built around those platforms.

Expected result: you can view or check out the source. A common snag is treating a mirror as the authoritative tree — the project's own CVS infrastructure is the reference point, and mirrors are conveniences.

Supporting pages you will likely need

The homepage also links to material that answers most follow-up questions:

  • FAQ — general questions about the system and project.
  • Manual Pages — command and API reference.
  • Patches and Reporting Problems — for fixes and bug reports.
  • Changelog — what changed between releases.
  • Mailing Lists — project discussion.
  • Commercial Support — if you need paid help.

If installation or a build fails, the FAQ and manual pages are the first places to check before reporting a problem.

What the project is, in one line

OpenBSD is a free, multi-platform, 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. The project emphasizes portability, standardization, correctness, proactive security, and integrated cryptography, and it is developed entirely by volunteers. OpenSSH originated here. Development and developer events are funded through contributions collected by The OpenBSD Foundation, which is why the site also carries Donations, Art, and Merchandise links.