insn_decode(9)

💅 NAME 💅

Okay bestie, welcome to insn_decode(9) from the Kernel API Manual 💖 — this page is literally about insn_decode - Decode an x86 instruction. No cap, that's the whole vibe.

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

int insn_decode (struct insn *insn , const void *kaddr , int buf_len ,
       enum insn_mode m );

🎀 ARGUMENTS 🎀

• insn — the struct insn that's getting initialized. It's giving "empty little struct, ready for its main character moment" ✨
• kaddr — address (in kernel memory) of the instruction, or a copy thereof. Kernel memory specifically, bestie — don't get cute with it 🫶
• buf_len — length of the insn buffer at kaddr. Yes, the buffer length is a whole argument, periodt.
• m — insn mode; see enum insn_mode for the actual mode tea ☕

💖 RETURN 💖

• 0 — decoding succeeded 🎉
• < 0 — otherwise 😭

🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

Kernel file: ./tools/arch/x86/lib/insn.c — the source file is right there, iykyk.

• insn_init(9)
• insn_get_prefixes(9)
• insn_get_opcode(9)
• insn_get_modrm(9)
• insn_rip_relative(9)
• insn_get_sib(9)
• insn_get_displacement(9)
• insn_get_immediate(9)
• insn_get_length(9)

That's the whole page, bestie 💅 — source/version: ./tools/arch/x86/lib, date: October 2026. Go decode an x86 instruction, slay 💖✨