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rmerl/asuswrt-merlin

★ 6,767Audience · ops devopsComplexity · 4/5Setup · hard

TLDR

Asuswrt-Merlin is a patched firmware for Asus home routers that adds bug fixes while keeping the original Asus experience, this repo is the legacy 380.xx branch, no longer actively developed.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((Asuswrt-Merlin))
    What it is
      Modified Asus firmware
      Bug fixes added
      Close to stock feel
    vs alternatives
      Not DD-WRT
      Not Tomato
      Incremental changes
    Status
      Legacy 380.xx branch
      No active development
      New repo is merlin.ng
    Getting it
      asuswrt-merlin.net
      Supported models wiki
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Code map

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Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Flash an older Asus router with a patched firmware build to get bug fixes not yet in the official Asus release.

USE CASE 2

Download a specific legacy firmware version from GitHub Releases for troubleshooting or downgrading.

USE CASE 3

Study how the 380.xx Asus firmware was patched to understand the diff between stock and community-maintained firmware.

Getting it running

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1h+

Requires flashing router firmware, this is the legacy 380.xx branch, active development has moved to asuswrt-merlin.ng.

License not specified in the explanation, this is a modified version of Asus firmware, check the repository and Asus license terms before use.

In plain English

Asuswrt-Merlin is a modified version of the firmware that ships on Asus home routers. Firmware is the built-in software that runs a device at a low level, and this project takes Asus's own official firmware and adds bug fixes along with a small number of usability improvements. The focus is on staying close to the original Asus experience rather than overhauling it. This distinguishes it from other third-party router firmware projects like Tomato or DD-WRT, which replace the factory software more completely. Asuswrt-Merlin is aimed at people who are broadly happy with how their Asus router works but want a few rough edges smoothed out. Important note: this particular repository is the legacy 380.xx branch and is no longer under active development. All new work has moved to a separate repository called asuswrt-merlin.ng, which is the current generation codebase. If you are looking to install or follow the project today, the newer repository is where activity is happening. Firmware downloads are available from the project's official website at asuswrt-merlin.net. A wiki in the repository lists the specific Asus router models that are supported. The issue tracker on this legacy repository has been closed by the maintainer.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
I have an older Asus router and want to install Asuswrt-Merlin firmware. Walk me through finding the right build for my model and flashing it safely.
Prompt 2
What are the main differences between Asuswrt-Merlin, DD-WRT, and OpenWrt for an Asus router? Help me decide which third-party firmware fits my needs.
Prompt 3
I'm running the legacy 380.xx Merlin branch. What do I need to know before migrating to the newer asuswrt-merlin.ng branch?
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