If you’ve been working with a modded Nintendo Switch, you’ve almost certainly encountered Hekate – the powerful custom bootloader. But sometimes, while tinkering with configurations or troubleshooting, you might stumble across a line in a log or a forum post that reads:
bootloader hekate_ipl.ini has boot entries hot
At first glance, it sounds like your Switch is overheating. Don’t worry – it has nothing to do with temperature. Let’s break down what this phrase actually means, why it matters, and how you can use it to optimize your boot process. bootloader hekateiplini has boot entries hot
Hekate is the first piece of custom code executed after you push a payload via RCM (Recovery Mode) or a modchip. It acts as a hypervisor and boot manager. It allows you to:
In the context of Hekate, a hot boot entry refers to a configuration section that enables automatic booting without user interaction. These are often called “auto-boot” or “reboot-to-payload” entries. When enabled, Hekate will immediately launch a specified payload or firmware after a short timeout, skipping the main launch menu. If you’ve been working with a modded Nintendo
In programming and system contexts, “hot” often means ready, active, or immediately available – not thermal.
When Hekate (or a tool analyzing it) reports that hekate_ipl.ini has boot entries hot, it means: bootloader hekate_ipl
The bootloader has detected valid, parsed, and ready-to-use boot entries in your configuration file.
In simpler terms: Hekate has read your hekate_ipl.ini, found one or more boot configurations (e.g., [Atmosphere CFW], [Stock SysNAND]), and is ready to launch them instantly.