How can I get started with kernel development?

It would help to know your background in operating systems first. There's actually a wealth of information out there on building operating systems from the ground up. For a solid start, check out the OSDev wiki or the MINIX 3 documentation. Just a heads up, you probably don’t want to tackle the current Linux kernel right away; it’s quite complex for beginners.

Starting with the Linux kernel is common; make sure you’re comfortable with C and have a basic grasp of OS concepts. You can begin by creating simple kernel modules to get your feet wet. The Linux kernel source and associated documentation, as well as a few good books and blogs, can be really helpful to guide your learning.

Honestly, there's so much information available on kernel development. I really recommend honing your research skills before diving into coding; it’ll serve you well in the long run!

To kick things off, gather some essential tools: the OSDev wiki, a good text editor, and a freestanding compiler like a customized GCC. It's important to have a guide that matches the architecture you’re working on, especially for booting your kernel. 'Three Easy Pieces' is a nice book that explains how things work, although it leans more towards user space. Also, don’t forget to Google for toy OS codebases; they can be incredibly enlightening.