Idempotent morphism

An endomorphism $e:A\to A$ is idempotent when $e^2=e$. It splits when $e=ir$ for maps $r:A\to B$, $i:B\to A$ satisfying $ri=1_B$.

The Karoubi envelope freely splits idempotents. Its objects are pairs $(A,e)$ and a morphism $(A,e)\to (B,f)$ is a map $u:A\to B$ satisfying $u=fue$.