CodeFRAME is released under the Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0). This page explains, in plain language, what that means for you.
This is a practical summary, not legal advice. The LICENSE file is the binding text. When in doubt, consult a lawyer.
Code vs. brand. Apache-2.0 licenses the code. It does not grant any right to the CodeFRAME™ name or logo, which are trademarks covered separately (Section 6 of the license says so explicitly) — see TRADEMARKS.md. You can fork the code, but a fork must use a different name.
CodeFRAME orchestrates the coding agents and tools teams already use, so it has to fit wherever those teams work: inside companies, in internal platforms, and alongside closed-source products. A permissive license removes the legal review that stops adoption, and Apache-2.0 adds an explicit patent grant that plainer permissive licenses lack.
You can use, run, modify, self-host, embed and redistribute CodeFRAME for any purpose, including commercial and closed-source products and hosted services, at no cost. You do not have to publish your changes.
When you distribute CodeFRAME or a derivative work (source or binary), the license asks you to:
- include a copy of the LICENSE;
- keep the NOTICE file and the copyright notices in the source;
- mark the files you modified as changed.
Running it for yourself, your team or your company, or offering it as a hosted service without handing out copies, is not distribution and asks nothing of you.
| Your situation | What Apache-2.0 asks |
|---|---|
| Run it for yourself / your team, unmodified or modified | Nothing |
| Internal company use | Nothing |
| Offer it (or a derivative) to outside users over a network | Nothing; the trademark policy still applies |
| Distribute it or embed it in software you ship | Include LICENSE + NOTICE, mark changed files |
Patents. Each contributor grants you a license to any of their patents that the contribution practices. That grant ends for anyone who sues claiming CodeFRAME infringes a patent.
Contributions. Unless you say otherwise, anything you submit to this repository is contributed under Apache-2.0 (Section 5). No separate CLA is needed.
We plan to offer a hosted CodeFRAME for teams that would rather not self-host, and commercial support for teams that want it. Pricing and terms are still being finalized. If you have a need, tell us now: early conversations shape what we build.
- Hosted / commercial support interest: email licensing@codeframe.sh, or start a thread in the pinned Early access & commercial interest discussion if you'd rather do it in the open.
- Design partners & early access: email hello@codeframe.sh or reply to the same pinned discussion to be included. See DESIGN_PARTNERS.md for what the design-partner program offers and asks for.
We read every one.