Why OpenWrt
- Security & updates beyond many stock firmwares.
- Packages: WireGuard, AdGuard Home, DHCP/DNS tweaks, VLANs, SQM QoS.
- Transparency: no hidden telemetry; full logs and config control.
Check device support (before anything)
- Find your exact router model/revision and hardware version.
- Look it up on the official OpenWrt Table of Hardware.
- Follow the device-specific install instructions: image type, recovery path, and revert method.
Flash at your own risk; read twice, flash once.
First steps after flashing
- Set a strong admin password; disable remote admin from WAN.
- Update packages: opkg update then install what you need.
- Set DNS (e.g., local Unbound/AdGuard Home) and enable HTTPS for LuCI if supported.
Add WireGuard (quick sketch)
- Install packages: opkg install wireguard-tools luci-app-wireguard
- Create keys, add an interface and a peer, open UDP port as needed.
- Route specific subnets or full-tunnel as you prefer.