Open Source Forking

This cluster centers on discussions about forking open-source projects as a solution to disagreements with maintainers, changes in direction, or stalled development. Commenters debate the ease, necessity, and practicality of creating and maintaining forks.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Open Source
6,196
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#2314
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
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2009
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2010
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2011
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2012
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2013
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Keywords

CLA FOSS LOVE GitHub PR P.S BDFL IIRC fork forks project repo forking open source open source forked eclipse

Sample Comments

btian Dec 3, 2025 View on HN

What's the problem? Surely people will fork it

rs186 Nov 12, 2025 View on HN

Nobody said the fork cannot diverge from the original project.

ares623 Nov 25, 2025 View on HN

what’s stopping the author from maintaining their own fork i wonder?

carlosjobim Feb 2, 2025 View on HN

Can't you fork it then? Isn't that what open source is about?

Zuiii Mar 5, 2024 View on HN

what about source code? It's open source. Forks were invented for situations like this.

softinio Mar 15, 2018 View on HN

why was a fork necessary as it seems original repo still active

emodendroket Sep 19, 2016 View on HN

Why not just let them fork the project if they want to take it in a different direction?

conartist6 Aug 28, 2025 View on HN

Doesn't change the fact that they can just fork it if it ever matters though...

arbitrandomuser Nov 14, 2025 View on HN

while technically possible with massive projects like these its not as simple to simply fork it, because of the man hours involved . its better to keep in the product stands enshitification while one uses it or just use something else.

rhodysurf Jan 17, 2020 View on HN

Forking for their own use would solve their problem though wouldnt it? Just forking doesnt actually mean they are trying to take over a project.