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submitted 1 month ago by ByteMe@lemmy.world to c/opensource@lemmy.ml

I've been building an app for some time and I'm interested in open sourcing it. I've searched the net but I haven't found a good thorough guide on how to open source an app. So, besides choosing a place to put my code (github etc), what are some other advice you can give me in order to do it right? Thanks in advance

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[-] Object@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

You should check out .gitignore templates and .gitignore file in other open source Android apps to see what needs to be published, what doesn't need to be published, and most importantly what you should not publish. You should get a couple of results when you search "gitignore android studio".

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago
[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)
[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 10 points 1 month ago

Codeberg or gitlab as a source forge. Depending on how private you are, you can start a fresh git repository, then your private history won't be exposed.

Otherwise, a license and gitignore file and you're done. Maybe a README if you fancy. And if you want to go overboard, add the apk or request for it to be put on F-Droid

[-] breakcore@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 1 month ago

Always a README I would say.

First paragraph tells what the app does im clear terms.

Also, screenshots.

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Do I have to sign the apk? I haven't found any clear answer on that.

[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 4 points 1 month ago

Yep, signing is mandatory, according to the docs. It's necessary for updating the app. You don't have to use Google, you can self-sign it.

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Good. Thank you

[-] abeorch@friendica.ginestes.es 8 points 1 month ago

@ByteMe Look at publishing it on #fdroid @fdroidorg may be of help.

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I'm thinking about fdroid, just later

[-] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago

If you're new to Android development, before you submit to main f-droid repo, try submitting it to izzydroid repo.

Follow their requirements but even if you miss some things, Izzy is very friendly and will guide you through the process. And then once you're done, you'll have a proper setup to submit to the main repo.

Good luck!

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Good idea, thanks

[-] lambipapp@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Look in to what license fits your project best.

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

Did that. Chose gnu gpl3. Thanks

[-] irelephant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago

Pick a good license: https://choosealicense.com/

If you haven't already, look into how git works.
Then upload the code to a git forge like codeberg or github

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Thank you:)

[-] fiatcode@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago

commit AGENT.md so we'd know if it was AI assisted ๐Ÿ‘€

[-] ByteMe@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

There is no agent.md ๐Ÿ˜…

this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2026
25 points (100.0% liked)

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