Stealing An Open Source Project: The OpenCode Story

The Rise of AI Coding Tools 00:00

  • The video opens with a discussion on the increasing number of AI coding tools, particularly terminal-based assistants like Claude Code and Codeex from OpenAI.
  • The speaker emphasizes their effectiveness and shares personal experiences with these tools, notably Claude Code.

Introduction to Open Code 02:20

  • The focus shifts to Open Code, described as a complex story involving open-source theft, miscommunication, and conflicts within the developer community, particularly surrounding a person named Dax.
  • The speaker aims to clarify misconceptions and provide a more in-depth conversation about the open-source community and Open Code.

Sponsorship and Personal Experience 01:32

  • The speaker mentions Convex, a platform that initially seemed unsuitable for large projects but turned out to be valuable after they gave it a real chance.

Background on Open Code Development 03:33

  • Open Code was developed as an open-source project that aimed to provide an alternative to Claude Code and was built with a focus on community contributions.
  • The project initially had limited adoption until notable developers Dax and Adam joined to enhance its UI and functionality.

Conflict and Acquisition by Charm 11:31

  • The narrative takes a turn when Charm, a company interested in the project, offers to acquire Open Code, but Dax and Adam refuse to be part of the acquisition, preferring the community-driven nature of the project.
  • Kushim, the original developer, accepts the acquisition, leading to complications regarding project ownership and contributions.

Issues with Ownership and Contributions 12:50

  • Following the acquisition, Dax expresses concern over the handling of contributions, noting that his and Adam's significant input were overlooked.
  • The controversy escalates as Charm edits the GitHub history and rebrands the project, causing confusion among users.

Charm's Response and Controversy 16:02

  • The CEO of Charm attempts to clarify the situation but is met with skepticism, as his statements contradict the experiences of Dax and Adam, highlighting issues of transparency and ethical practices in open-source projects.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action 25:40

  • The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of supporting the real Open Code project, encouraging viewers to star the correct repository while criticizing Charm's actions as unethical.
  • The video ends with a call for accountability and transparency in the open-source community, while expressing hope for the success of the legitimate Open Code project.