Open Source

Inkwell is Open Source

Every line of code that powers Inkwell is publicly available. You can read it, run it, modify it, and host your own instance. We believe the platforms people write on should be transparent and accountable.

AGPL-3.0ActivityPubSelf-Hostable

Source Code

The complete Inkwell codebase is hosted on GitHub. The backend is built with Elixir and Phoenix, the frontend with Next.js and React, and federation is handled natively via ActivityPub — no sidecar services required.

View on GitHub

License

Inkwell is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0).

In plain language, this means:

  • You can view, copy, and modify the source code freely.
  • You can run your own instance of Inkwell for any purpose.
  • If you modify and distribute Inkwell (or run a modified version as a public service), you must share your changes under the same license.
  • The AGPL ensures Inkwell remains open — no one can take the code proprietary.

Self-Hosting

Inkwell is designed to run on your own server. The self-hosted mode unlocks all Plus features for every user on your instance — no subscription required. All you need is a server with Docker.

Pre-built Docker images are published to GitHub Container Registry on every release, so you can be up and running in minutes.

Self-Hosting GuideDocker Images

Contributing & Issues

Found a bug? Have an idea? There are two ways to get involved:

GitHub Issues

Report bugs, request features, or browse existing discussions on GitHub.

Community Roadmap

Submit ideas, vote on features, and track what the team is building next.

Pull requests are welcome. If you're planning a larger change, open an issue first so we can discuss the approach.

Follow Development

Inkwell is actively developed in the open. Here's how to stay in the loop:

We build Inkwell in the open because the platforms people write on should be transparent. Open source isn't a feature — it's a commitment.