# Future Improvements for AX1800 Barebones Firmware

After the initial successful build, several areas can be optimized to make the "Barebones" experience even better.

## 1. Performance & Resource Management
- **Zram Integration**: Enable `zram-swap` by default to better handle memory-intensive tasks like package updates or heavy VPN usage.
- **Kernel Slimming**: Review the default `ipq60xx` kernel configuration and disable unused filesystem drivers or legacy protocols to reduce the kernel footprint.
- **SQM (Smart Queue Management)**: Add `luci-app-sqm` and `cake` for better bufferbloat management.

## 2. Security Enhancements
- **SSH Hardening**: Provide a profile that disables password authentication by default and injects a provided SSH key.
- **WireGuard Optimization**: Ensure `kmod-wireguard` is optimized for the IPQ6000's SIMD instructions if available.
- **DNS-over-HTTPS/TLS**: Include `https-dns-proxy` or `unbound` for encrypted DNS.

## 3. Storage & Partitioning
- **U-Boot Custom Layout**: Research if a larger overlay partition can be achieved by resizing the factory GL.iNet layout (requires careful U-Boot interaction).
- **External Overlay**: Create a script or guide for using a USB drive as `overlayfs` (ExtRoot).

## 4. Build Automation
- **CI/CD Integration**: Move the build process to a GitHub Action to ensure images are always up-to-date with the latest OpenWrt security patches.
- **Local Repo**: Host a local Opkg repository for custom packages like `btop` or `mosh` to avoid manual transfers.

## 5. UI/UX
- **Modern Themes**: Swap the default LuCI theme for something more modern like `luci-theme-argon`.
- **Dashboard Utilities**: Add `luci-app-statistics` for better monitoring.