wdt_ioctl(9)

okay so welcome to wdt_ioctl(9), fresh from the Kernel API Manual 💖 this is the watchdog ioctl situation, and yes, we're gonna get into it.

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✨ NAME ✨

wdt_ioctl —

and the description after the dash is literally just… blank. iconic minimalism, no notes 💅 it's giving mysterious main character energy. the NAME line is exactly:

wdt_ioctl -

periodt.

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🎀 SYNOPSIS 🎀

long wdt_ioctl (struct file *file , unsigned int cmd , unsigned long arg
);

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🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

• file — the file handle to the device, aka your little backstage pass to the watchdog 🎟️
• cmd — the watchdog command, the actual instruction you're sending
• arg — the argument pointer, carrying the extra info along for the ride 🫶

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🌸 DESCRIPTION 🌸

so the watchdog API defines a common set of functions for all watchdogs, matched up according to their available features. that's the setup ✨

but real talk: we only actually usefully support querying capabilities and current status. that's it. that's the useful menu. no cap 👑

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🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

Kernel file ./drivers/watchdog/wdt.c — and the whole function fam is right here:

• wdt_start(9)
• wdt_stop(9)
• wdt_ping(9)
• wdt_set_heartbeat(9)
• wdt_get_status(9)
• wdt_get_temperature(9)
• wdt_interrupt(9)
• wdt_write(9)
• wdt_open(9)
• wdt_release(9)
• wdt_temp_read(9)
• wdt_temp_open(9)
• wdt_temp_release(9)
• wdt_notify_sys(9)
• wdt_exit(9)
• wdt_init(9)

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okay that's the whole page, bestie 🫶 sourced from ./drivers/watchdog, dated October 2026 — slay, go query some capabilities responsibly ✨💅