routeros-fundamentals

# RouterOS Fundamentals

## RouterOS Is NOT GNU/Linux

RouterOS runs a Linux kernel (5.6.3) but **everything above the kernel is MikroTik's proprietary `nova` system**. This is the single most important fact for agents to internalize.

**What does NOT exist on RouterOS:**
- No `/bin`, `/usr`, `/etc`, `/var` — no FHS layout
- No bash, sh, ash, zsh — no Unix shell at all
- No coreutils (`ls`, `cat`, `grep`, `ps`, `mount`, `ip`, `iptables`, etc.)
- No glibc, musl, busybox
- No apt, pkg, opkg — no package manager (packages are `.npk` files installed via upload + reboot)
- No `systemctl`, `service`, init system
- No `/proc` or `/sys` accessible from userland
- No `docker`, `podman` — RouterOS has its own `/container` subsystem (7.x+)

**What DOES exist:**
- RouterOS CLI — its own language, not shell. Accessed via SSH, serial, WinBox, or WebFig
- REST API at `/rest/` (HTTP, port 80 by default) — the primary programmatic interface
- RouterOS scripting language (`.rsc` files) — its own syntax, not bash. See [Scripting reference](./references/scripting.md)
- WebFig (web UI) on port 80
- WinBox protocol on port 8291

**Common agent mistakes to avoid:**
- Do NOT try `ssh admin@host 'ls /'` — it opens RouterOS CLI, not a shell
- Do NOT suggest `mount`, `fdisk`, `mkfs` — use `/disk` commands instead
- Do NOT look for config files at `/etc/` — configuration is in the RouterOS database
- Do NOT assume `ping` works the same — it's `/tool/ping` or `/ping` in CLI
- Do NOT suggest installing packages via `apt` or `opkg` — upload `.npk` via SCP then `/system/package/apply-changes` (7.18+) or `/system/reboot` (<7.18)
- See [Extra packages reference](./references/extra-packages.md) for the full package list and installation pattern

## RouterOS CLI Syntax

RouterOS CLI uses path-based navigation, not Unix command pipelines:

```routeros
# Navigation
/ip/address/print
/interface/print
/system/resource/print

# Adding entries
/ip/address/add address=192.168.1.1/24 interface=ether1

# Modifying (by internal ID or find expression)
/ip/address/set [find interface=ether1] address=10.0.0.1/24

# Removing
/ip/address/remove [find address="192.168.1.1/24"]

# Running a command
/system/reboot
/tool/fetch url="http://example.com/file.npk" dst-path="/"
```

**Key syntax differences from shell:**
- `=` assigns properties (no spaces around it)
- `[find ...]` is the query expression (like WHERE)
- Strings use `""` (double quotes only)
- Comments use `#`
- Variables: `:local myVar "value"` and `$myVar`
- No pipes, no redirection, no subshell

## REST API

RouterOS REST API at `http://HOST:PORT/rest/`. HTTP verbs map non-standardly:

| HTTP | RouterOS Action | CLI Equiv |
|---|---|---|
| `GET` | print (list/read) | `/path/print` |
| `PUT` | **add (create)** | `/path/add` |
| `PATCH` | set (update) | `/path/set` |
| `DELETE` | remove | `/path/remove` |
| `POST` | command (execute) | `/path/command` |

**Key gotchas:**
- `PUT` creates (NOT updates) — opposite of many REST APIs
- Empty password auth: `admin:` (colon required, nothing after)
- WebFig root (`GET /`) returns HTTP 200 without auth — use as health check
- REST API (`/rest/`) requires auth (HTTP 401 without it)
- `.id` field is `*HEX` format (e.g., `*1`, `*A`)

See [REST API reference](./references/rest-api-patterns.md) for full patterns, error handling, filtering, POST commands, and `/console/inspect`.

## Version Scheme

Format: `MAJOR.MINOR[.PATCH][betaN|rcN]` — e.g., `7.22`, `7.22.1`, `7.23beta2`, `7.22rc1`

**Channels:** `stable` / `long-term` / `testing` / `development`

Version endpoint (plain text): `https://upgrade.mikrotik.com/routeros/NEWESTa7.<channel>`

For version parsing, comparison, download URLs, and package naming: see [Version parsing reference](./references/version-parsing.md).

## Architecture Names

MikroTik uses these architecture identifiers (not standard Linux arch names):

| MikroTik name | CPU | Common hardware |
|---|---|---|
| `x86` | x86_64 | CHR, x86-based RouterBOARDs |
| `arm64` | aarch64 | Modern ARM boards (RB5009, Chateau) |
| `arm` | ARMv7 | Older ARM boards |
| `mipsbe` | MIPS big-endian | Legacy RouterBOARDs |
| `mmips` | MIPS multi-core | hAP ac, RB4011 |
| `smips` | MIPS single-core | hAP lite, mAP |
| `ppc` | PowerPC | CCR1xxx series |
| `tile` | Tilera | CCR (older models) |

CHR (Cloud Hosted Router) is available only for `x86` and `arm64`.

## Default Credentials

- Username: `admin`
- Password: (empty — no password)
- On first login via SSH/console, RouterOS 7.x prompts to set a password or press `a` to skip
- REST API and WebFig allow empty-password access

## Inspecting Hardware from RouterOS CLI

```routeros
# PCI devices (the RouterOS equivalent of lspci)
/system/resource/hardware/print

# IRQ assignments (shows driver binding)
/system/resource/irq/print

# System overview
/system/resource/print

# Disk info
/disk/print

# Installed packages
/system/package/print

# IP services and ports
/ip/service/print

# Network interfaces
/interface/print
```

## Additional Resources

**Reference files:**
- For REST API details and `/console/inspect` command tree: see [REST API reference](./references/rest-api-patterns.md)
- For version parsing, comparison, and download URL logic: see [Version parsing reference](./references/version-parsing.md)
- For extra packages (container, iot, zerotier, etc.): see [Extra packages reference](./references/extra-packages.md)
- For device-mode (modes, feature matrix, physical confirmation): see [Device-mode reference](./references/device-mode.md)
- For RouterOS scripting language syntax: see [Scripting reference](./references/scripting.md)
- For user management, SSH keys, admin account: see [Users REST reference](./references/routeros-users-rest.md)
- For IP addressing, routing, DHCP, DNS, interfaces: see [Networking REST reference](./references/routeros-networking-rest.md)
- For firewall filter/NAT/mangle and rule ordering: see [Firewall REST reference](./references/routeros-firewall-rest.md)
- For Bun runtime bugs affecting HTTP (req.destroy, pool, secrets): see [Bun runtime gotchas](./references/bun-runtime-gotchas.md)

**Related skills:**
- For the /container subsystem (VETH, device-mode, lifecycle): see the `routeros-container` skill
- For netinstall-cli and device flashing: see the `routeros-netinstall` skill
- For the /app YAML container format (7.22+): see the `routeros-app-yaml` skill
- For /console/inspect tree traversal and schema generation: see the `routeros-command-tree` skill
- For running CHR in QEMU (local or CI): see the `routeros-qemu-chr` skill
- For packet capture, /tool/sniffer, and TZSP streaming: see the `routeros-sniffer` skill

**MCP tools:**
- For command tree browsing and property lookups: use the `rosetta` MCP server tools (`routeros_search`, `routeros_get_page`, `routeros_command_tree`)