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

Open Source

45875 readers
166 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
 

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

top 10 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Object@sh.itjust.works 12 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (1 children)

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 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)
[–] onlinepersona@programming.dev 2 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)
[–] onlinepersona@programming.dev 8 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

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 4 points 3 hours ago

Always a README I would say.

First paragraph tells what the app does im clear terms.

Also, screenshots.

[–] ByteMe@lemmy.world 2 points 3 hours ago

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

[–] abeorch@friendica.ginestes.es 5 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] ByteMe@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

I'm thinking about fdroid, just later

[–] lambipapp@lemmy.world 3 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Look in to what license fits your project best.

[–] ByteMe@lemmy.world 5 points 5 hours ago

Did that. Chose gnu gpl3. Thanks