guider
Guider is a comprehensive system profiling and fault detection tool for Linux and Android that monitors CPU, memory, I/O, and network resources. It provides real-time monitoring, detailed performance analysis, flame graphs, and automated event-driven reporting without requiring external infrastructure.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | iipeace/guider |
| Owner | iipeace |
| Primary language | Python |
| License | GPL-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 674 |
| Forks | 103 |
| Open issues | 26 |
| Latest release | versions/3.9.9 (2025-05-23) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-06 |
| Source | https://github.com/iipeace/guider |
What guider is
Guider offers kernel-level tracing via ftrace/perf, continuous monitoring with threshold-based event triggers, browser-based SVG visualization (flame graphs, stacked/line graphs), and command APIs over TCP/UDS. It operates with low overhead, retains data in internal buffers, and supports x86, ARM, and RISC-V architectures across Ubuntu, CentOS, Android, and other Linux-based platforms.
Get the guider source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/iipeace/guider.gitcd guider# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires kernel configuration for ftrace, perf events, and eBPF support; verify target kernel version and build flags before deployment.
- Python-based CLI; dependencies (Python 3, libelf, libc debuginfo) must be pre-installed. Consider package manager availability on target systems.
- Threshold/event configuration is custom and requires domain knowledge to tune appropriately; poorly tuned rules may generate noise or miss critical issues.
- Output reports are SVG/browser-viewable but post-processing and integration with external dashboards requires custom tooling via APIs.
- Memory overhead is described as 'minimal' but actual impact depends on monitoring scope (CPU, memory, I/O, network) and sampling rate; testing on target hardware is necessary.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Need Real-Time External Data Streaming — Guider is designed for local buffer retention and on-device reporting, not real-time streaming to remote monitoring platforms. If you require live dashboards or centralized metric aggregation, use Prometheus/Grafana or similar.
- Production SaaS with GPL Compliance Concerns — GPL-2.0 requires source disclosure if modifications are distributed. Integrating Guider into proprietary commercial products may impose licensing obligations. Requires legal review for closed-source deployments.
- Windows/macOS Primary Development — Guider explicitly lists Windows and macOS as 'Limited Support' and is kernel-dependent. Unsuitable as primary monitoring tool for non-Linux platforms.
- Zero System Access or Containerized Isolation — Requires kernel access for tracing, ftrace facilities, and perf counters. Cannot operate effectively in restrictive sandbox environments or without CAP_SYS_ADMIN and similar privileges.
License & commercial use
Licensed under GPL-2.0 (GNU General Public License v2.0). GPL-2.0 is a copyleft OSI-approved license requiring source code disclosure and same-license distribution of modifications if software is distributed.
Internal use and evaluation are permitted under GPL-2.0. However, distributing Guider or GPL-derived modifications in proprietary products requires source disclosure and licensing compliance review. Commercial support, warranty, or liability indemnification are not evident in the data provided. Requires legal counsel before embedding in closed-source commercial offerings.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Guider requires elevated privileges (CAP_SYS_ADMIN, ftrace access) to function, expanding the trusted compute base on target systems. Kernel tracing facilities can expose sensitive process and I/O behavior; restrict API access via TCP/UDS authentication and network controls. No explicit security audit, CVE history, or threat model disclosed in provided data. Review kernel and Python dependency versions for known vulnerabilities before production use.
Alternatives to consider
perf / linux-tools
Native kernel profiling tool; lower overhead and no GPL constraint, but less user-friendly and no integrated monitoring/visualization.
Prometheus + Grafana + Node Exporter
Industry-standard observability stack with remote storage, alerting, and dashboards. Better for distributed systems, but requires external infrastructure and lacks deep kernel tracing.
systemtap / eBPF (bpftrace)
Powerful for custom kernel-level tracing and scripting. More flexible than Guider but steeper learning curve and no built-in visualization.
Build on guider with DEV.co software developers
Review kernel compatibility, test threshold configuration on staging systems, and assess GPL-2.0 licensing implications before production deployment. Use Devco's technical team to validate integration points and customize event-driven monitoring workflows.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
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guider FAQ
Can I use Guider in a proprietary product or closed-source commercial application?
Does Guider support real-time streaming to external monitoring platforms?
What kernel versions and Linux distributions are officially supported?
How much overhead does continuous monitoring add?
Work with a software development agency
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If guider is part of your open-source observability roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Evaluate Guider for Your Infrastructure
Review kernel compatibility, test threshold configuration on staging systems, and assess GPL-2.0 licensing implications before production deployment. Use Devco's technical team to validate integration points and customize event-driven monitoring workflows.