TL;DR
- GitHub hosts over 600 million repositories and had nearly one billion commits in 2025.
- Some high-profile projects, such as Ghostty and Zig, have abandoned GitHub due to concerns over technical problems and the service's political direction.
- Developers are exploring alternatives, including Codeberg and self-hosting options.
- Projects like Tenacity have already made the switch, now only maintaining a mirror presence on GitHub.
GitHub remains a popular platform, with one new user joining every second, but some users are concerned about issues like frequent downtime and the service's direction since being taken over by Microsoft. According to Bobby Jack, a technology enthusiast, some key players have abandoned GitHub, potentially marking the beginning of a wider exodus. The Linux kernel source code, for example, has a read-only GitHub mirror, but its main home is hosted on its own domain.
What the data shows
The data indicates that while GitHub is still widely used, some developers are seeking alternatives due to various concerns. Mitchell Hashimoto, the maintainer of Ghostty, announced in April 2026 that the project would be leaving GitHub, citing the need to remove dependencies on the platform. Zig, a system programming language, also departed from GitHub in November 2025, after an uninterrupted run since 2015. These moves suggest that some developers are dissatisfied with GitHub's current state.
What this means for tech readers
For tech readers, this trend may signal a shift towards more decentralized and self-hosted solutions. Codeberg, a GitHub alternative, is one option being explored by developers. Tenacity, a cross-platform audio editor, has already made the switch, now only maintaining a mirror presence on GitHub. This could be an indication that more projects will follow suit, potentially leading to a more diverse landscape of development platforms.
What to do right now
Developers looking for alternatives to GitHub can explore options like Codeberg, which offers a similar set of features and tools. Self-hosting is also a viable option, allowing developers to maintain full control over their projects and data. For those interested in exploring these alternatives, it's essential to research and evaluate the pros and cons of each option, considering factors like ease of use, scalability, and community support.
Bottom line
In summary, while GitHub remains a widely used platform, some developers are seeking alternatives due to concerns over technical problems and the service's direction. The departure of high-profile projects like Ghostty and Zig may mark the beginning of a wider trend towards decentralized and self-hosted solutions. As the development landscape continues to evolve, it's essential for developers to stay informed about the options available and make informed decisions about their projects and data.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Why are some developers leaving GitHub?
Some developers are leaving GitHub due to concerns over technical problems, such as frequent downtime, and the service's direction since being taken over by Microsoft.
Q: What alternatives are available to GitHub?
Alternatives to GitHub include Codeberg, a GitHub alternative, and self-hosting options, which allow developers to maintain full control over their projects and data.
Q: Which high-profile projects have abandoned GitHub?
High-profile projects that have abandoned GitHub include Ghostty, a cross-platform terminal emulator, and Zig, a system programming language.
Q: What does this trend mean for the future of development platforms?
This trend may signal a shift towards more decentralized and self-hosted solutions, potentially leading to a more diverse landscape of development platforms.
Sources
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Originally published on Tech at Crescevo — subscribe free for more.
Top comments (1)
I found it interesting that projects like Ghostty and Zig have abandoned GitHub due to technical problems and concerns over the service's direction, and I've been considering alternative options for my own projects. The mention of Codeberg as a viable alternative is particularly noteworthy, as it offers a similar set of features and tools to GitHub. However, I'm curious to know more about the trade-offs involved in self-hosting, such as the increased maintenance burden and potential scalability issues. Have you explored self-hosting options and what were your experiences with it, especially in terms of balancing control and convenience?