AM-Reaper ("Reaper") is a de-clouded, feature-enhanced, security-focused firmware for the ASUS RT-BE96U (WiFi 7 / Broadcom BCM4916), built on Asuswrt-Merlin (firmware line 3006.102.x). It strips out cloud, telemetry, and AI-assistant attack surface, adds capabilities ASUS never shipped, and hardens the open-source userspace.
This is the project's public information page. No source code and no firmware images are hosted here — see Get a build below.
- De-clouds the router — removes Amazon Alexa / Google Assistant, the Trend Micro DPI stack, AiCloud / WebDAV / CloudSync, the cloud tunnel, the on-box phone-home daemon, and the first-boot telemetry/consent surface.
- Hardware QoS — classful QoS that keeps the Broadcom flow accelerator on (aggregate cap, guaranteed minimums, DSCP trust, live per-class stats).
- Traffic Analyzer — on-router per-device / per-network / per-class history, a live view, top talkers, and a monthly data-quota meter.
- Optional AI Advisor — an off-by-default, LAN-only, read-only server so your own AI client can audit and explain router state. It never changes a setting and is never reachable until you explicitly turn it on.
- Reaper UI — a redesigned dashboard and app shell.
- Hardened open-source userspace with exploit-mitigation build hardening.
Two variants:
| Variant | AI Advisor |
|---|---|
| Standard | not compiled in |
| AI Advisor | present, off by default, LAN-only, arm-gated |
Builds are provided on request — they are not publicly hosted — and are delivered together with the complete corresponding source under GPL v2.
To request a build, email:
theunbounddeveloper@outlook.com
- Subject:
Reaper build request — RT-BE96U- Variant:
StandardorAI Advisor- Version: e.g.
latest
You'll receive the flashable image (and its recovery loader) plus its source.
Flash via Administration → Firmware Upgrade; the first non-stock flash needs
nvram set DOWNGRADE_CHECK_PASS=1. Flashing firmware carries risk — keep a
recovery path ready and proceed at your own risk.
GPL v2. The complete corresponding source (the pinned upstream Asuswrt-Merlin base plus the Reaper patch series) accompanies every build and is available on request. The proprietary Broadcom / ASUS / Trend Micro / Tuxera components a firmware image depends on are licensed for use on genuine ASUS hardware only and are not redistributed.
Independent, third-party project. Neither ASUS nor Eric Sauvageau (Asuswrt-Merlin) has developed, reviewed, approved, or endorsed it. "ASUS", "Asuswrt-Merlin", and "RT-BE96U" are referenced solely to identify the hardware and the upstream codebase this project is built on and to credit that work. The "Reaper" name and logo are project identifiers. Provided AS-IS, without warranty of any kind.