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+# Toward a Heterogeneous QEMU
+
+## Introduction
+
+This document outlines a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing the
+modularity, scalability, and multi-architecture support of QEMU.
+The goal is to address several long-standing architectural issues
+that hinder QEMU’s ability to emulate multiple architectures
+concurrently, paving the way toward dynamic machine creation and
+improved user experiences.
+
+QEMU’s original design focuses on the efficient emulation of a
+single target architecture per binary, with a single TCG context
+handling architecture-specific code generation and execution.
+However, as the demand for more flexible and scalable emulation
+grows, several limitations of this design have become evident.
+These include reliance on global variables, target-specific static
+definitions, tightly coupled APIs across different subsystems, and
+the need for manual intervention when building or configuring
+machine models.
+
+The proposed roadmap introduces a series of incremental changes
+aimed at addressing these limitations and achieving the following
+long-term goals:
+
+1. **Improved Modularity and Code Reusability**: Refactor QEMU's
+   subsystems to eliminate global variables and reduce the coupling
+   between hardware models and target-specific implementations.
+   This will involve creating clearer API boundaries and separating
+   hardware and target-specific code into distinct, reusable
+   modules.
+
+2. **Support for Multi-Architecture Emulation**: Enable QEMU to
+   emulate multiple target architectures concurrently within a
+   single binary by modularizing the TCG frontends and decoupling
+   architecture-specific code from the core emulation logic.
+
+3. **Simplification of QEMU's Core Components**: Streamline the
+   startup sequence, refactor the command-line interface (CLI), and
+   modularize the device models and subsystems to improve
+   maintainability and extensibility. This effort will also focus
+   on reducing redundancy and boilerplate code in the machine
+   creation process.
+
+4. **Human vs. Machine Configuration**: Recognize the divergent
+   needs between human users and management applications (machines)
+   in configuring QEMU. Propose a separation of concerns where a
+   new binary could focus on machine-oriented expressiveness while
+   providing a simpler, more intuitive frontend for human users.
+
+5. **Dynamic Machine Creation and Configuration**: Transition from
+   statically built machine models to a dynamic, data-driven
+   configuration system, where new machine types can be composed at
+   runtime using declarative templates. This will reduce the
+   complexity of adding new machines and allow for greater
+   flexibility in system configuration.
+
+The roadmap is divided into multiple phases, each addressing a
+specific set of problems and dependencies in QEMU’s current
+architecture.
+
+This document serves as a reference for contributors. It aims to
+provide a clear path forward, along with the necessary steps and
+dependencies required to implement the proposed changes.
+
+## Background and Motivation
+
+### Issues with Loadable Modules
+
+QEMU's support for loadable modules has deficiencies:
+
+- **Error Handling**: Modules that fail to load due to missing
+  dependencies can cause QEMU to exit unexpectedly, especially
+  during hot-plug operations. The module API needs to be
+  strengthened to propagate errors and must not exit the main
+  process. Proper error handling mechanisms are essential to
+  prevent crashes and improve stability.
+
+- **Platform Parity**: Currently, QEMU's support for loadable
+  modules is not consistent across all platforms. In particular,
+  DSO module loading needs to be implemented on Windows to achieve
+  feature parity with other operating systems.
+
+- **Introspection Challenges**: Functions that list or load modules
+  may not handle errors gracefully, leading to incomplete
+  information and unpredictable behavior. Users may not be aware of
+  whether a module is compiled-in or loadable, leading to
+  confusion.
+
+### Problems with Singletons and Global Symbols
+
+Global variables and singletons hinder the ability to:
+
+- **Support Multi-Architecture Binaries**: The use of global
+  variables (or singletons) causes conflicts when multiple
+  architectures are emulated concurrently. A frontend expects the
+  global variable to be accessed only by itself, but when using
+  multiple frontends concurrently, multiple frontends could access
+  the same variable, causing unexpected side effects.
+
+- **Modularize Code**: Singletons prevent instantiating multiple
+  instances of certain components, limiting flexibility. Symbol
+  conflicts and shared globals cause linking issues and
+  unpredictable behavior in heterogeneous machines.
+
+### Inconsistent QOM Object Life Cycle
+
+The lack of a unified life cycle model for QOM objects complicates
+configuration and management:
+
+- **Different Life Cycles**: Devices, user-creatable objects, and
+  other components have varying life cycles and state transitions.
+  Without a consistent model, it's difficult to determine when and
+  how objects should be configured and realized, especially in a
+  dynamic environment.
+
+- **Configuration Challenges**: Managing object states and
+  transitions is difficult without a clear life cycle model. This
+  inconsistency leads to complex and error-prone configuration
+  processes.
+
+### Challenges with Initial Configuration
+
+QEMU's current configuration mechanisms present challenges for
+both management applications and human users:
+
+- **Management Applications**: Require a stable and simple CLI to
+  bootstrap QMP (QEMU Machine Protocol) for monitoring and initial
+  configuration. However, they are forced to perform non-trivial
+  initial configurations via the CLI, which is not ideal.
+
+- **Human Users**: Prefer simple, consistent CLI and configuration
+  files. They struggle with the complexity and inconsistency of the
+  modern low-level configurations, leading to frustration and
+  errors.
+
+### Limitations of Static Machine Definitions
+
+Machines in QEMU are defined statically in C code, requiring
+recompilation for any changes. This approach lacks flexibility and
+makes it difficult to:
+
+- **Enable Dynamic Machine Creation**: Allow users and management
+  applications to define and configure machines at runtime without
+  modifying source code.
+
+### Need for Early Availability of QMP
+
+QMP becomes available late in the startup sequence, limiting its
+usefulness for initial configuration. An integrated solution is
+needed to make QMP available earlier, enabling:
+
+- **Dynamic Configuration via QMP**: Allow management applications
+  to perform arbitrary configurations before any machine components
+  are initialized.
+
+- **Simplified Bootstrapping**: Provide a minimal CLI that is
+  stable and sufficient to start QMP for further configuration.
+
+### Deficiencies in the Configuration Interface
+
+QOM's object configuration interface has limitations:
+
+- **Dynamic Properties**: Properties can be added or removed
+  dynamically, leading to a configuration interface that changes at
+  runtime.
+
+- **Introspection Limitations**: Weak and often undocumented type
+  information makes it challenging to design a robust and
+  user-friendly configuration interface.
+
+### Cross-Directory API Calls and Target-Specific Device Models
+
+- **Cross-Directory API Calls**: Problematic calls between `hw/`
+  and `target/` directories blur separation and complicate
+  modularization. Unfortunately, we have API calls from one
+  directory to another. For example, `hw/xtensa/pic_cpu.c` calls
+  target `xtensa_runstall()`, and `target/xtensa/exc_helper.c`
+  calls `check_interrupts()` in `hw/xtensa/pic_cpu.c`.
+
+- **Target-Specific Device Models in `hw/`**: Placing
+  target-specific models in `hw/` leads to dependencies that hinder
+  modularization. When a device model is target-specific (like the
+  ARM NVIC), it is pointless to expose it in `hw/`. Moving it to
+  `target/arm/hw/` could simplify the `hw/` <-> `target/` access
+  problem.
+
+### Device Models and Buses
+
+- **Singleton Buses**: The expectation of a single system bus
+  (sysbus) doesn't scale for heterogeneous machines requiring
+  multiple buses. Currently, a machine expects a single sysbus and
+  at most a single ISA bus. This doesn't scale since heterogeneous
+  machines might use multiple distinct buses.
+
+- **Bus Ownership Model**: The current ownership model doesn't
+  support buses shared by multiple controllers. Currently, a bus
+  model is "QOM owned" by a single device controller model. This
+  doesn't scale when a bus is shared by two controllers since we
+  can only have a single QOM owner.
+
+### Page Size and Target-Specific Definitions
+
+- **Static Definitions**: Target-specific static definitions need
+  to be converted to runtime variables to support multiple
+  architectures. For example, definitions such as
+  `TARGET_LONG_BITS`, `TARGET_PAGE_MASK`, `TARGET_PAGE_BITS`,
+  `TCG_GUEST_DEFAULT_MO`, `NB_MMU_MODES`,
+  `TARGET_PHYS_ADDR_SPACE_BITS`, and
+  `TARGET_VIRT_ADDR_SPACE_BITS` need to be changed to runtime ones.
+
+- **Variable Page Sizes**: The current use of a single
+  `TargetPageBits` structure is insufficient for variable page
+  sizes across architectures. We cannot use a single
+  `TargetPageBits` structure anymore for variable page sizes; we
+  need to make this structure per vCPU.
+
+### Global Headers and `NEED_CPU_H` Definition
+
+- **Header Contamination**: Too many global headers are
+  'contaminated' with the `NEED_CPU_H` definition, which forces the
+  header to become target specific. This complicates modularization
+  and code reuse.
+
+## Identified Problems
+
+### Problem 1: Loadable Modules and Error Handling
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+The current implementation of loadable modules in QEMU has several
+deficiencies, particularly in error handling. When a module fails
+to load due to missing dependencies, QEMU may exit unexpectedly,
+which can be especially problematic during hot-plug operations.
+Additionally, the introspection mechanisms may not list all
+available types if modules fail to load silently.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Enhance Error Handling for Loadable Modules:**
+
+   - Improve the module loading API to handle failures gracefully
+     without crashing the main process. This includes strengthening
+     the module API to propagate errors properly and avoid
+     unexpected exits.
+   - Ensure that introspection commands like `qom-list-types`
+     provide accurate information, even in the presence of loadable
+     modules.
+   - Modify the module API to propagate errors properly and avoid
+     unexpected exits.
+
+2. **Implement DSO Module Loading on Windows:**
+
+   - Add feature parity for DSO module support on Windows OS to
+     ensure consistent behavior across platforms.
+
+3. **Testing and Stability:**
+
+   - Implement thorough testing to ensure that the changes do not
+     introduce new issues or regressions, particularly in the
+     context of module loading and hot-plugging.
+
+### Problem 2: Singletons and Global Symbols
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+Global variables and singletons in QEMU's codebase pose challenges
+for multi-architecture support. These elements can lead to
+conflicts and unpredictable behavior, especially when trying to
+link multiple targets into a single binary or manage heterogeneous
+machines.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Enumerate and Isolate Global Variables and Singletons:**
+
+   - Identify all global variables and singletons that need to be
+     isolated. Refactor the codebase to eliminate singletons and
+     reduce reliance on global symbols, particularly in areas where
+     multiple architectures are involved.
+   - This change is essential for enabling concurrent
+     multi-architecture emulation and supporting dynamic machine
+     creation.
+
+2. **Modify Function Prototypes and Structures:**
+
+   - Change methods and structures that are currently
+     target-specific to be target-agnostic. For example, functions
+     like `tcg_gen_code()` and structures like `TranslationBlock`
+     and `TCGContext` should become target-agnostic.
+
+### Problem 3: Target-Specific Static Definitions
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+Target-specific static definitions prevent the code from being
+flexible enough to handle multiple architectures simultaneously.
+Definitions like `TARGET_LONG_BITS`, `TARGET_PAGE_MASK`, and others
+are statically defined and cannot vary at runtime.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Convert Static Definitions to Runtime Variables:**
+
+   - Change target-specific static definitions to runtime variables
+     or structure fields. For instance:
+
+     - Convert `TCG_GUEST_DEFAULT_MO` definition to an
+       `ArchAccelClass` field.
+     - Convert `TARGET_PHYS_ADDR_SPACE_BITS` and
+       `TARGET_VIRT_ADDR_SPACE_BITS` definitions to `CPUClass`
+       fields.
+     - Convert `TARGET_PAGE_BITS_MIN` definition to a `CPUClass`
+       field.
+     - Convert `TARGET_LONG_BITS` definition to a `CPUClass`
+       helper function.
+     - Convert `TARGET_PAGE_*` definitions to runtime variables.
+
+2. **Support Variable Page Sizes:**
+
+   - Convert all MTTCG-enabled targets to use
+     `TARGET_PAGE_BITS_VARY`. Since multiple vCPUs can share the
+     same accelerator and page sizes, better would be to have a set
+     of compatible vCPUs share the same accelerator context.
+
+### Problem 4: TCG Frontend and Code Generation
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+Functions like `tcg_gen_code()` are too target-specific and need to
+be made target-agnostic. The TCG frontend is built multiple times
+for different endianness and word sizes, leading to redundancy.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Make TCG Code Target-Agnostic:**
+
+   - Refactor `tb_gen_code()` and `tcg_gen_code()` functions to be
+     target-agnostic, keeping `gen_intermediate_code()`
+     target-specific.
+   - Ensure that TCG frontends leverage the `MemOp` argument to be
+     built once, reducing redundancy.
+
+2. **Modularize TCG Frontends:**
+
+   - Build the TCG frontend for each architecture as a library
+     (e.g., `libtcg-$ARCH.so`). Such a library should be
+     exclusively composed of compilation units in `target/$ARCH`,
+     possibly including `target/$arch/hw/` specific hardware models.
+   - Modularize the set of TCG frontends for all targets.
+
+### Problem 5: Cross-Directory API Calls and Target-Specific Device Models
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+Problematic API calls between `hw/` and `target/` directories blur
+separation and complicate modularization. Target-specific device
+models placed in `hw/` lead to dependencies that hinder
+modularization.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Enforce API Separation:**
+
+   - Remove non-QDev API calls from `target/` to `hw/` (and
+     vice-versa), restricting to QOM, QDev, IRQ, and Clock APIs.
+   - Enforce a clearer API separation to avoid direct calls and
+     enable both `hw/` and `target/` components to be built as
+     modules.
+
+2. **Move Target-Specific Device Models:**
+
+   - When a device model is target-specific, move it from `hw/` to
+     `target/$ARCH/hw/`. This simplifies the `hw/` <-> `target/`
+     access problem and reduces dependencies.
+
+### Problem 6: Device Models and Buses
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+The current bus models and APIs assume singleton buses and device
+ownership by a single controller, which doesn't scale for
+heterogeneous machines that require multiple buses and shared
+ownership.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Rework Bus Models and Ownership:**
+
+   - Remove device ownership on multi-controller buses, making the
+     single owner the `MachineState`. This allows buses to be
+     accessed by multiple controller models without ownership
+     conflicts.
+
+2. **Make Bus Parameters Explicit:**
+
+   - Modify APIs to make the bus parameter explicit, so devices can
+     be accessed on any bus. This removes the reliance on singleton
+     buses and allows for multiple distinct buses in heterogeneous
+     machines.
+
+3. **Remove Singleton Buses:**
+
+   - Remove the `ISA_BUS` singleton and replace ISA bus-dependent
+     devices with stubs to simplify proof of concept.
+
+### Problem 7: Lack of a Clear QOM Object Life Cycle
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+QOM lacks a unified and well-defined life cycle model, leading to
+inconsistencies and complexity in managing object states during
+configuration.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Clarify QDev Methods and Lifecycle:**
+
+   - Clarify which QDev methods belong to the QOM layer, such as
+     'realize'. Define a unified life cycle model that can be
+     applied across all object types in QOM, ensuring predictable
+     transitions between states.
+
+2. **Add a "Wiring" Phase:**
+
+   - Add an extra "wiring" phase in the QDev state machine to link
+     parts together. This is essential when composing complex
+     device models from smaller parts and when devices need to
+     reference each other before realization.
+
+3. **Merge SysBus Methods into QDev:**
+
+   - Merge most of the `SysBus` methods into the more generic QDev
+     layer: named GPIO and MemoryRegion. This unification simplifies
+     the device model and reduces redundancy.
+
+### Problem 8: Deficiencies in QOM's Object Configuration Interface
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+The current QOM object configuration interface is dynamic and often
+unintuitive, with properties being added or removed during runtime.
+This leads to a complex and sometimes error-prone configuration
+process, particularly when trying to achieve a declarative
+configuration style.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Integrate Configuration into QAPI:**
+
+   - Use static QAPI-based QOM properties to provide a more
+     standardized, introspectable, and documented approach to
+     object configuration. Restrict dynamic read-write properties
+     to debugging and introspection.
+
+2. **Make Config Properties Read-Only After Realization:**
+
+   - Ensure that configuration properties are read-only after the
+     device is realized. This simplifies the configuration
+     interface and enforces consistency.
+
+3. **Differentiate Property Types:**
+
+   - Distinguish between static properties (set during creation)
+     and dynamic properties (modifiable at runtime), simplifying
+     the configuration process.
+
+### Problem 9: Initial Configuration & CLI Challenges
+
+**Current Challenges:**
+
+The current CLI is cumbersome and unintuitive, making it difficult
+for both human users and management applications to configure
+machines efficiently. Human users often prefer simpler, legacy-
+style configurations but are sometimes forced to engage with low-
+level, detailed configurations when dealing with specific features,
+leading to a frustrating user experience. Management applications,
+on the other hand, require a more expressive and detailed
+configuration system, further complicating the situation.
+
+**Proposed Solutions:**
+
+1. **Split Human vs. Machine Data:**
+
+   - Propose a clean separation between human-friendly and machine-
+     oriented configurations. Extract or factor out the CLI API
+     (human-facing), keeping the minimum needed to start a QMP
+     interface (machine-facing).
+
+2. **Simplify the QEMU Startup Sequence:**
+
+   - Rework the QEMU startup code to greatly simplify it. This
+     involves simplifying CLI limitations (e.g. where command line
+     order matters) and eventually moving towards data-driven machine
+     configurations.
+
+3. **Make All Devices User-Creatable:**
+
+   - Eventually, all devices will become user-creatable, allowing
+     for more flexible and dynamic machine configurations. Audit
+     the effect on the final Realize phase in
+     `qdev_machine_creation_done()`. Restrict UserCreatable API
+     to backends.
+
+## Roadmap
+
+The roadmap is structured into phases, each building upon the
+previous and allowing for parallel work where feasible. Time
+estimates are provided for each task, assuming a dedicated
+development team.
+
+### Phase 0: Preparatory Work (Estimated Duration: 2 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Establish a foundation for multi-architecture
+support and improve module handling.
+
+1. **Enhance Module Loading API** (3 Weeks)
+
+   - Modify the module loading API to handle failures gracefully
+     without crashing the main process. This includes strengthening
+     the module API to propagate errors properly and avoid
+     unexpected exits.
+
+2. **Implement DSO Module Loading on Windows** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Add feature parity for DSO module support on Windows OS. This
+     ensures that QEMU's module loading capabilities are consistent
+     across platforms, enabling broader adoption and testing of
+     modular components on Windows systems.
+
+3. **Deprecate Non-QOM Code** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Introduce runtime warnings for the use of non-QOM code to
+     encourage migration to QOM-compliant implementations.
+     Explicitly deprecate non-QOM code, guiding developers towards
+     the modern object model.
+
+### Phase 1: Enable Heterogeneous Emulation (Estimated Duration: 6 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Modify the core infrastructure to support multiple
+architectures concurrently.
+
+1. **Enumerate and Isolate Global Variables and Singletons** (6
+   Weeks)
+
+   - Identify all global variables and singletons that have to be
+     isolated. Refactor the codebase to eliminate or encapsulate
+     them to prevent conflicts when multiple architectures are
+     emulated concurrently.
+
+2. **Resolve Function Name Clashes** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Implement dispatch mechanisms for target-specific functions.
+     For functions that have the same name across targets, create
+     generic function names that dispatch to the proper target
+     handler using the vCPU to discriminate which architecture
+     handler to call.
+
+3. **Rework QMP Handlers for Multi-Architecture** (3 Weeks)
+
+    - Modify QMP target-specific handlers to handle multiple
+      architectures gracefully. Alter QMP introspection as needed,
+      so previously not implemented methods are now dispatched and,
+      if not available for a particular target, return appropriate
+      error messages like "Not Available".
+
+4. **Make TCG Code Target-Agnostic** (6 Weeks)
+
+   - Refactor `tb_gen_code()` and `tcg_gen_code()` functions to be
+     target-agnostic, keeping `gen_intermediate_code()`
+     target-specific. Ensure that `TranslationBlock` and
+     `TCGContext` structures become target-agnostic.
+
+5. **Convert Static Definitions to Runtime Variables** (6 Weeks)
+
+   - Change target-specific static definitions to runtime variables
+     or structure fields. For instance:
+
+     - Convert `TCG_GUEST_DEFAULT_MO` definition to an
+       `ArchAccelClass` field.
+     - Convert `TARGET_PHYS_ADDR_SPACE_BITS` and
+       `TARGET_VIRT_ADDR_SPACE_BITS` definitions to `CPUClass`
+       fields.
+     - Convert `TARGET_PAGE_BITS_MIN` definition to a `CPUClass`
+       field.
+     - Convert `TARGET_LONG_BITS` definition to a `CPUClass`
+       helper function.
+     - Convert `TARGET_PAGE_*` definitions to runtime variables.
+
+6. **Support Variable Page Sizes** (3 Weeks)
+
+   - Convert all MTTCG-enabled targets to use
+     `TARGET_PAGE_BITS_VARY`. Since multiple vCPUs can share the
+     same accelerator and page sizes, create a set of compatible
+     vCPUs that share the same accelerator context.
+
+7. **Compile `accel/tcg/` System Once** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Modify the build system to compile the TCG accelerator system
+     only once, making it target-agnostic and shared across
+     architectures.
+
+8. **Modularize TCG Frontends** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Build TCG frontends as separate modules (e.g.,
+     `libtcg-$ARCH.so`). Such a library should be exclusively
+     composed of compilation units in `target/$ARCH`. Modularize
+     the set of TCG frontends for all targets.
+
+9. **Introduce `AccelCpuCluster` Concept** (5 Weeks)
+
+   - Implement `AccelCpuCluster` to group similar vCPUs that share
+     the same accelerator (TCG) state. This allows for efficient
+     handling of vCPUs with common properties.
+
+10. **Make `SoftFloat` context configuratble at runtime** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Convert per-target static definitions of SoftFloat context to
+     runtime ones, possibly allowing re-use between vCPUs.
+
+11. **Convert Non-MTTCG Targets** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Extend the previous steps to include non-MTTCG targets,
+     ensuring that all targets can benefit from the new
+     architecture.
+
+12. **Make SoftFloat code target-agnostic** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Convert per-target static configurations to a runtime configurable
+     context.
+
+### Phase 2: Hardware Cleanups and API Separation (Estimated Duration: 3 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Refine hardware models and APIs to support
+modularization and multi-architecture support.
+
+1. **Reduce `NEED_CPU_H` in Headers** (2 Weeks)
+
+    - Split headers containing `NEED_CPU_H` into target-specific
+      and target-agnostic ones. Use the `-common.h` suffix for
+      target-agnostic headers and `-target.h` for target-specific
+      ones.
+
+2. **Eliminate Randomness in QOM Paths** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Remove auto-incremented IDs and random numbers in device QOM
+     paths to keep the composition tree reproducible. Ensure that
+     devices have stable and predictable QOM paths.
+
+3. **Clarify QOM/QDev Methods and Lifecycle** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Clarify which QDev methods belong to the QOM layer, such as
+     'realize'. Define a unified life cycle model for QOM objects.
+     This includes adding an extra "wiring" phase in the QDev state
+     machine to link parts together.
+
+4. **Move Target-Specific Code from `hw/` to `target/hw/`** (3
+   Weeks)
+
+   - When a device model is target-specific, move it from `hw/` to
+     `target/$ARCH/hw/`. This simplifies the `hw/` <-> `target/`
+     access problem and reduces dependencies.
+
+5. **Enforce API Separation Between `hw/` and `target/`** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Remove non-QDev API calls from `target/` to `hw/` (and
+     vice-versa), restricting to QOM, QDev, IRQ, and Clock APIs.
+     Enforce a clearer API separation to avoid direct calls and
+     enable both `hw/` and `target/` components to be built as
+     modules.
+
+6. **Restrict Use of Global CPU Variables in `hw/`** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Prohibit the use of global CPU variables like `current_cpu`
+     and `first_cpu` in hardware code (`hw/`). Instead, use
+     `CpuCluster[]` or pass explicit references. This prevents
+     casting errors and architecture-specific assumptions in common
+     code.
+
+7. **Merge SysBus Methods into QDev** (3 Weeks)
+
+   - Merge most of the `SysBus` methods into the more generic QDev
+     layer, starting with GPIO. This unification simplifies the
+     device model and reduces redundancy.
+
+8. **Remove `ISA_BUS` Singleton** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Remove the `ISA_BUS` singleton. Replace ISA bus-dependent
+     devices with stubs or rework them to not rely on the singleton,
+     simplifying the bus model.
+
+9. **Optimize QOM Cast Macros** (2 Weeks)
+
+    - Reduce and optimize the use of QOM cast macros in non-API
+      code and callbacks to improve performance and maintainability.
+
+10. **Consider Power/Clock/Reset Tree API** (1 Week)
+
+    - Brainstorm whether a Power/Clock/Reset tree API is needed,
+      which could be helpful later with device composition.
+
+### Phase 3: Unify Binaries and Simplify Machine Modes (Estimated Duration: 2 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Move towards a single QEMU binary supporting
+multiple architectures and modes.
+
+1. **Rework Bus Models and Ownership** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Remove device ownership on multi-controller buses, making the
+     single owner the `MachineState`. Modify bus APIs to make the
+     bus parameter explicit, allowing devices to be accessed on any
+     bus.
+
+2. **Eliminate `qdev_get_machine()` Usage** (5 Weeks)
+
+   - Refactor code to remove reliance on `qdev_get_machine()`.
+     Fields in `MachineState` that are target-specific (e.g.,
+     `dtb`, `kernel`, `initrd`, `NumaState`, `CpuTopology`) should
+     become per-vCPU or per cluster.
+
+3. **Add Machine Property for Mode Selection** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Add a machine property to specify whether to start in 32-bit
+     or 64-bit mode and forward the property down to devices. This
+     allows for flexible configuration of machines that can operate
+     in different modes.
+
+4. **Unify Word Size Support** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Modify the build system to produce a single binary supporting
+     both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, unifying word size
+     support.
+
+5. **Unify Endianness Support** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Similarly, unify endianness support to produce a single binary
+     capable of handling both big-endian and little-endian
+     architectures.
+
+6. **Investigate GDB Stub Restrictions** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Investigate any restrictions in the GDB stub that may prevent
+     multi-architecture support or affect debugging capabilities.
+
+7. **Disallow Unattached QOM Devices** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Do not allow unattached QOM devices. Ensure that all devices
+     are part of the composition tree, eliminating the
+     `/machine/unattached/` orphanage problem.
+
+8. **Remove Target-Specific QMP and Monitor Commands** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Remove target-specific QMP and monitor commands to provide a
+     consistent interface across architectures.
+
+### Phase 4: Prepare for Declarative Machine Configuration (Estimated Duration: 3 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Lay the groundwork for dynamic, data-driven machine
+configurations.
+
+1. **Static QAPI-Based QOM Properties** (8 Weeks)
+
+   - Integrate the configuration interface into the QAPI schema
+     using static QAPI-based QOM properties. Restrict dynamic
+     read-write properties to debugging and introspection. Make
+     configuration properties read-only after realization.
+
+2. **Clarify Machine Phases Enum** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Clarify and extend the Machine Phases enum. Determine if a
+     `PHASE_MACHINE_HARDWARE_WIRED` is needed before
+     `PHASE_MACHINE_INITIALIZED` to be able to wire cyclic IRQs.
+
+3. **Simplify QEMU Startup Sequence** (12 Weeks)
+
+   - Rework the QEMU startup code to greatly simplify it. Extract
+     or factor out the CLI API (human-facing), keeping the minimum
+     needed to start a QMP interface (machine-facing).
+
+4. **Enhance QOM Object Registration and Filtering** (3 Weeks)
+
+   - Register all QOM objects at startup with appropriate
+     filtering. Implement functionality to list devices filtered
+     per machine. Handle cases where devices are only available in
+     certain modes or architectures.
+
+5. **Merge `UserCreatable` with QOM** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Integrate the `UserCreatable` class into QOM for streamlined
+     object creation. If eventually all devices can be created by
+     QMP when building a machine, all devices thus inherit the
+     `UserCreatable` class.
+
+6. **Early Availability of QMP** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Make QMP available earlier in the startup sequence for initial
+     configuration. Provide a minimal CLI that is stable and
+     sufficient to start QMP for further configuration.
+
+### Phase 5: Implement Dynamic Machines (Estimated Duration: 4 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Enable the creation of machines dynamically at
+runtime using a declarative approach.
+
+1. **Develop Declarative Language or DSL** (12 Weeks)
+
+   - Create a Domain-Specific Language (DSL) or use existing
+     formats to describe machine configurations. Devices are
+     expressed as DSL, enabling composable machines.
+
+2. **Refactor Machine Creation Process** (8 Weeks)
+
+   - Rewrite the machine initialization code to consume declarative
+     configurations. Transition from statically built machine
+     models to a dynamic, data-driven configuration system.
+
+3. **Simplify and Modularize Startup Code** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Streamline the startup sequence to accommodate dynamic
+     machine creation. Simplify the QEMU startup sequence, focusing
+     on modularity and flexibility.
+
+4. **Provide Simplified Configuration Profiles** (3 Weeks)
+
+   - Introduce predefined machine profiles for common use cases
+     (e.g., `q35-minimal.cfg`, `q35-recommended.cfg`,
+     `q35-simple.cfg`). Allow users to select a configuration that
+     best fits their scenario without needing to fine-tune every
+     parameter.
+
+5. **Address Migration Compatibility** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Ensure that data-driven machine definitions support migration
+     compatibility. Handle the "sensible defaults" problem by
+     providing default settings for RAM size, CPU model, etc.
+
+6. **Acknowledge and Plan for New Challenges** (Ongoing)
+
+   - Recognize and address new challenges arising from the
+     transition to data-driven machines, such as managing the QOM
+     object life cycle, handling complex device compositions, and
+     ensuring performance and stability.
+
+### Phase 6: Enhance User Experience for Human Users (Estimated Duration: 2 Months)
+
+**Objective**: Provide a user-friendly interface and configuration
+profiles for human users.
+
+1. **Develop Human-Focused Frontend** (4 Weeks)
+
+   - Create a frontend that abstracts complexity and provides a
+     simple CLI for human users. Recognize the divergent needs
+     between human users and management applications, and offer a
+     solution that caters to both.
+
+2. **Implement Simplified Configuration Profiles** (3 Weeks)
+
+   - Offer predefined profiles (e.g., minimal, recommended,
+     simple) for different use cases. Allow users to easily select
+     configurations without dealing with low-level details.
+
+3. **Documentation and User Guides** (2 Weeks)
+
+   - Provide comprehensive documentation to assist users in
+     transitioning to the new interface. Include examples and
+     guides for common tasks.
+
+4. **Feedback and Iteration** (Ongoing)
+
+   - Gather user feedback and iteratively improve the frontend and
+     profiles. Ensure that the solution meets the needs of the
+     community.
+
+### Total Estimated Duration: Approximately 20 Months
+
+**Note**: These time estimates are approximate and may vary based
+on the size of the development team, complexity of tasks, and
+unforeseen challenges.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+By addressing the identified problems through this structured
+roadmap, QEMU can evolve into a more modular, flexible, and user-
+friendly platform capable of concurrent multi-architecture
+emulation. The proposed changes will enable dynamic machine
+creation, improve code maintainability, and enhance the user
+experience for both management applications and human users.
+
+Implementing this roadmap requires coordinated effort and
+collaboration among the development community. While new challenges
+will undoubtedly arise, the long-term benefits of a more adaptable
+and future-proof QEMU far outweigh the initial complexities.
