Introduction
New to this project? Start here. This page explains what the project does and what you need before installing.
What Is This Project?
This is a community-maintained feed that provides smaller Tailscale packages for OpenWrt routers and devices.
Tailscale is a zero-config VPN that lets you securely connect your devices into a private network (a "tailnet"). It is built on WireGuard and works through NAT and firewalls without port forwarding.
The official OpenWrt Tailscale package can be large. This project rebuilds the exact same Tailscale source code with size optimizations:
- Merges
tailscale+tailscaledinto a single binary - Strips optional features (AWS, Kubernetes, Taildrop, etc.) via build tags
- Applies UPX compression (
--best --lzma)
Result: 30–60% smaller binary, same functionality. Ideal for routers with limited flash storage.
No Functional Changes
The source code is taken directly from the official Tailscale repository with no modifications. Only compiler flags and UPX compression are added. See the Security Statement for details.
Is This Safe to Use?
Yes. The entire build process is:
- Open-source — all scripts and workflows are public on GitHub
- Automated — packages are built by GitHub Actions, no manual uploads
- Auditable — every build log is publicly available
- Reproducible — you can build the packages yourself using the Build Guide
See the Security Statement for full details.
Prerequisites
Before installing, make sure your device meets these requirements:
| Requirement | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OpenWrt version | 22.03 or later | 21.02 is not supported |
| Storage space | < 8 MB free | UPX-compressed binary is small |
| RAM | 256 MB recommended | Devices with less RAM may need memory optimization |
| Kernel modules | kmod-tun, ca-bundle | Usually pre-installed |
| Network | Access to GitHub or a mirror | Needed to download packages |
Low-RAM Devices
If your device has less than 256 MB RAM, Tailscale may be killed by the OOM Killer. See Memory Optimization for a fix that trades CPU for lower memory usage.
Package Types
OpenWrt changed its package manager starting from version 25.12. You need to pick the right package type:
| OpenWrt Version | Package Manager | Package Type |
|---|---|---|
| 25.12 or later | APK | .apk |
| 24.10 or earlier | OPKG | .ipk |
Not sure which version you have? The Quick Start guide shows you how to check.
Next Steps
- Quick Start — Choose your installation method
- FAQ — Common questions answered
- Supported Architectures — Check if your device is supported