1# Introduction
2
3The Zephyr OS is a small-footprint kernel designed for use on
4resource-constrained and embedded systems: from simple embedded
5environmental sensors and LED wearables to sophisticated embedded
6controllers, smart watches, and IoT wireless applications.
7
8See the [zephyrproject.org](https://zephyrproject.org) site for more
9information about the project and becoming a member, and this [summary
10of Zephyr resources](https://docs.zephyrproject.org/latest/introduction/index.html#resources)
11to help you find your way around the project.
12
13## Supported Boards
14
15The Zephyr kernel supports multiple architectures, including ARM
16Cortex-M, Intel x86, ARC, NIOS II, Tensilica Xtensa, and RISC-V 32.  For
17details, see the [latest supported boards
18documentation](https://docs.zephyrproject.org/latest/boards/index.html).
19
20## Licensing
21
22Zephyr is permissively licensed using the Apache 2.0 license (as found
23in the [project's GitHub LICENSE
24file](https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/zephyr/blob/main/LICENSE).
25There are some imported or reused components of the Zephyr project that
26use other licensing, as described in [Licensing of Zephyr Project
27components](https://docs.zephyrproject.org/latest/LICENSING.html#zephyr-licensing).
28