79
submitted 14 hours ago by paequ2@lemmy.today to c/opensource@lemmy.ml

Hello! I currently maintain a small/medium-small open source project. I know I have some active users. It's been fun, but I no longer feel like I can properly maintain it. I've been considering two options: archive the project or transfer the ownership to someone else.

Does anyone have any experience doing either of these things?

Transferring the project to someone else who would actively maintain the project seems like a good option. However, what would that process look like? How do I vet or trust random people on the internet? What if I transfer it to someone and then they add a bitcoin miner a year later?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] chgxvjh@hexbear.net 11 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

Tell the users about your intentions to step down. If you don't have a plan for succession, see if they come up with something or if someone steps up.

Remember there are worse outcomes than just abandoning the project. Officially handing it over to a malicious or incompetent maintainer would be worse. If someone really wants to take it over, they don't need your permission. Announcing your departure is already more than a lot of projects do.

this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2026
79 points (100.0% liked)

Open Source

44115 readers
1065 users here now

All about open source! Feel free to ask questions, and share news, and interesting stuff!

Useful Links

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon from opensource.org, but we are not affiliated with them.

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS