Building an open-source project, or have an idea for one? Apply to join the OpenRoot Developer Program for free project visibility and a chance to earn rewards for reviewed milestones.
The OpenRoot Developer Program brings independent developers, called OpenRoot builders, together with partners who want to support useful software. Builders develop and grow projects under the OpenRoot GitHub organization. OpenRoot helps promote member projects through its publication and social channels, completely free of charge and as much as it can. Coverage, reach and success are not guaranteed. Partners supply credits, subscriptions, and developer tools for qualifying projects.
Promotion is not limited to one feature. Projects may appear multiple times in the newsletter and on social channels through project highlights, showcases and in-depth articles. Builders can send releases, substantial updates and user stories to hello@openroot.dev for editorial consideration. This support is completely free of charge and does not require earning or redeeming a reward. Timing and format depend on editorial fit and available capacity; OpenRoot does not guarantee repeat coverage, reach or results.
We are looking for builders creating, or exploring, projects intended for other people to use: software that solves a problem, provides a useful tool or helps its users do something. Any software category, programming language and documentation language is welcome. Your project does not need existing users, and undecided applicants or an agreed private development phase remain welcome.
Hackathon builders are welcome too, whether preparing to enter or continuing a hackathon project. Additional rewards for strong results in eligible, pre-approved hackathons are planned. Eligible events, outcomes, evidence, funding and bonus terms must be published and agreed before a reward-bearing offer begins. A win does not automatically earn OpenRoot points or a reward. No specific eligible hackathons or bonus amounts are announced yet; reward claims remain closed.
Bring your own ideas in any software category, programming language or repository/documentation language, including non-English content. You direct your project and retain rights to your own code. A private development phase is welcome; any public-release conditions are agreed before enrollment. Organization owners retain administrative access to organization-hosted repositories.
Your project is not exclusive to OpenRoot. You can enter hackathons, collaborate elsewhere and take part in other activities, subject to those activities' rules and your project rights.
The program is live. We are seeking founding partners. Applications are open for review; the private portal is available to approved accounts at https://openroot.dev/portal; reward claims are not open; numerical milestones and final fulfillment terms are being prepared. OpenRoot reports an initial set of offers: one month of DeepLearning.AI (one available until claimed), and AI model API credits for GPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok, delivered through budget-limited third-party API access, valued at USD 50-10,000. The API allowances have per-key budget limits, with no announced quantity cap. Exact learning product, permitted distribution, expiry and recipient terms still need confirmation. These are not official model-provider sponsorships or guaranteed rewards for every member. A broader selection, including paid subscriptions and developer tools, is coming soon; specific offers and dates are not promised. See reward details.
This repository is the public documentation home. It explains the program, answers questions, and invites partnerships. It does not contain the private portal application or applicant records.
- How the program works
- Joining as a builder
- Milestones and rewards
- Builder referral program
- Partnerships and sponsorship
- Frequently asked questions
English | 简体中文 | Português (Brasil) | Español | Français | 日本語
All seven public program documents are maintained in these languages. English is the editorial source; translated versions must be updated before documentation changes are published. Translations support understanding and are not separate enrollment contracts.
Official documentation repository: https://github.com/OpenRootdev/developer-program.
The written guides are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Attribute OpenRoot / Kristofer Jussmann when reusing them. Maintenance scripts in scripts/ use the MIT License. These licenses cover this documentation pack, not builders’ own projects or third-party trademarks, and do not replace program or enrollment terms.
We welcome partners who can provide AI or cloud credits, paid tool access, or other useful developer benefits. Start with a bounded pilot and support projects that demonstrate genuine traction.
Partner with us, or email partner@openroot.dev. The website's partner form prepares an email draft locally; it is not a server-side submission.
For general questions, contact hello@openroot.dev.
Documentation corrections and questions are welcome through repository issues. Do not post personal application details, security reports, credentials, or reward redemption codes publicly.
OpenRoot is a sandbox for building and collaborating, not a payment request. We will never ask you to send passwords, sign-in or recovery codes, access tokens, API keys, payment details or a fee to join or unlock rewards. Applications need your email and exact GitHub username; enter a sign-in code only on the official portal, never send it to a person. You can invite collaborators and configure repository-scoped apps within your repository permissions; some organization-level actions need an owner. Keep secrets out of repos, applications and messages. Organization hosting is not unlimited free use of paid services.
Questions: hello@openroot.dev. Follow or message OpenRoot on LinkedIn. After accepting the GitHub invitation, read the members-only quick start.
If you apply with an existing project, the accepted project must be hosted under OpenRootdev: transfer the original repository after review, or create an empty organization repository and copy the code there with Git. Do not migrate before the project and migration are approved. Copying code does not copy stars, issues or other GitHub project data. Existing adoption and rewards are reviewed separately. Read the step-by-step builder instructions.
OpenRoot relies on advertising revenue and partner support to keep the program free for builders. Reading the free newsletter and following LinkedIn help us grow our audience and reach potential sponsors. No purchase, paid subscription or donation is required to apply or qualify for review. GitHub Sponsors is planned, not yet announced as an active payment option; contact partner@openroot.dev about sponsorship.
We would like to run internal builder hackathons when partners provide funding or authorized rewards, and potentially public hackathons later. These are future plans, not announced events. Dates, eligibility and prizes will be published before registration.