ebpf-assist

Overview

eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter) is a powerful technology for extending the Linux kernel without modifying kernel source code. However, developing eBPF programs traditionally requires root privileges, making it challenging for AI coding assistants to iterate on eBPF code without constant human intervention for sudo prompts.

ebpf-assist solves this problem by providing a secure development environment where AI assistants can compile, load, and test eBPF programs autonomously.

Features

• Autonomous eBPF development - AI assistants can iterate on eBPF programs without interactive sudo prompts
• Secure privilege escalation - Controlled elevation for eBPF operations only
• Compile and load workflow - Full development cycle from source to running program
• Safety boundaries - Constrained operations prevent unauthorized system access
• Testing support - Verify eBPF program behavior programmatically

Use Cases

• AI-assisted kernel observability - Develop tracing and monitoring tools with AI pair programming
• Rapid prototyping - Iterate on eBPF programs faster without privilege interruptions
• Automated testing - CI/CD pipelines for eBPF program development
• Learning environment - Safe space for experimenting with eBPF technology

Architecture

ebpf-assist acts as a privilege boundary layer between the AI assistant and the kernel:

[AI Assistant] → [ebpf-assist] → [Privilege Elevation] → [eBPF Subsystem]
                      ↓
                 [Safety Checks]

Only approved eBPF operations are elevated, maintaining system security while enabling autonomous development.