Introduction
Migrating projects from one platform to another is a significant decision for any developer or tech company. When I chose to leave GitHub for Codeberg, it was primarily to escape Microsoft's growing influence on my projects and to find an environment that better respected free software principles. However, recent changes in Codeberg's terms of service have made me regret this decision.
Why I Left GitHub
Under Microsoft's ownership, GitHub has undergone a gradual "enshittification." The web interface, rewritten in JavaScript, became slow, making the user experience frustrating. More concerning was Microsoft's grip on a large share of public source code infrastructure and reports of legitimate developers losing their accounts without apparent reason, prompting me to seek alternative hosting. According to Statista, by 2023, GitHub hosted over 100 million public repositories, highlighting the importance of diversifying hosting options.
The Initial Appeal of Codeberg
Codeberg, managed by a non-profit association, seemed to be the ideal solution. It promised a free and open environment, away from the aggressive business practices of industry giants. The move to Codeberg was motivated by the promise of a platform not subject to the whims of a large corporation.
Codeberg's New Terms
However, in June and July 2023, Codeberg updated its terms of service, banning projects heavily reliant on language models (LLM) and cryptocurrency projects. These bans, presented as proposals for the 2026 Assembly, were poorly received. The classification of crypto projects under "content that harms the reputation of Codeberg" seems arbitrary and lacks transparency.
Impact of the Changes
These changes have worrying implications. For developers relying on LLMs to automate complex tasks or for cryptocurrency projects innovating in financial domains, these bans are a significant hindrance. In 2023, approximately 25% of tech startup projects involved elements of artificial intelligence or blockchain, according to Crunchbase.
Reflecting on the Future
While Codeberg attempts to maintain a respectable reputation, these decisions could alienate part of their user base. The question remains whether the platform can evolve while staying true to its founding principles.
Conclusion
My migration to Codeberg, although initially promising, has revealed unforeseen challenges. For developers and businesses, it is crucial to carefully weigh the pros and cons of source code hosting platforms.
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