Embedded Bootloaders

Purpose

Guide agents through embedded bootloader fundamentals: vector table relocation, safe handoff from bootloader to application, flash partitioning, and basic firmware-update patterns (UART, USB DFU, or custom protocol) on Cortex-M and similar MCUs.

When to Use

• Application must run at non-zero flash offset (e.g. 0x08010000)
• Implementing OTA or USB DFU without vendor HAL
• Debugging "app works when flashed alone but not via bootloader"
• Integrating with skills/baremetal/baremetal-startup and skills/baremetal/stm32-baremetal

Workflow

1. Memory layout (typical STM32)