Open source software development operates fundamentally differently from corporate software engineering. In recent years, the introduction of non-technical ideologies - whether large-scale political positions or smaller interpersonal dynamics around recognition and status - has repeatedly proven detrimental to the sustainability and cohesion of open source projects.
In response, some communities have chosen to forgo codes of conduct entirely. However, the absence of a formal code does not eliminate governance structures - often, it merely obscures them or leaves room for unofficial, potentially harmful ones to emerge. Even in projects that reject centralized authority, bad actors can still manufacture the appearance of power, presenting themselves as representatives or moderators without legitimacy.
Rather than remain silent on these issues, we choose to take a clear and deliberate stance. We explicitly affirm our commitment to neutrality, to merit-based evaluation, and to the rejection of authority structures that can be co-opted or abused. This code of conduct serves not as a tool of control, but as a safeguard against it.
Any explicit confirmation of adoption is sufficient. While the
common practice is to include the text in a file
titled CODE_OF_CONDUCT in the top-level directory of
the code repository, in the most simple case, a declaration like
"This project adopts the Aegis Code of Conduct" or even very short declarations like
"CoC: Aegis-2-Clause" will suffice. Either way, we kindly ask you
provide a link to this website, especially in the latter case
where the actual content of the Code isn't immediately
available.
Unlike others, we will never ask you to donate to us for adopting the Aegis Code of Conduct. However, if you still wish to show your support and are insistent on doing so, we kindly ask that you direct your contributions to other projects you find useful and deserving.