Tangled is a new Git collaboration platform built on the decentralized atproto protocol. It aims to offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience than traditional forge platforms like GitHub or GitLab, while also embracing the benefits of decentralization like data ownership, community control, and resistance to censorship. Tangled integrates directly with existing Git tooling, allowing users to clone, push, and pull as usual, but replaces the centralized web interface with a federated approach. This means various instances of Tangled can interoperate, allowing users to collaborate across servers while still retaining control over their data and code. The project is currently in early access, focusing on core features like repositories, issues, and pull requests.
The blog post introduces Tangled, a novel Git collaboration platform built upon the atproto (ATP) decentralized social networking protocol. It aims to address perceived shortcomings of existing centralized Git forging platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, primarily focusing on issues of vendor lock-in, data ownership, and platform governance.
Tangled distinguishes itself by leveraging the decentralized nature of atproto. Instead of relying on a single, central server to host repositories and manage user interactions, Tangled allows users to host their repositories wherever they choose, while still benefiting from a shared social experience facilitated by the atproto network. This architecture grants users greater control over their data and reduces reliance on a single company.
The platform facilitates several key features familiar to users of centralized Git platforms. These include exploring and discovering repositories, creating and managing issues, conducting code reviews, and participating in discussions around code changes. Tangled aims to offer a familiar user experience, mirroring the functionality found on platforms like GitHub, while operating within the decentralized atproto ecosystem.
The post emphasizes the open nature of Tangled and its commitment to community involvement. The project is open-source, inviting contributions and feedback from the wider developer community. It also highlights the potential for future innovation within the decentralized Git space, enabled by the flexibility and extensibility of the atproto protocol.
Tangled's development roadmap includes plans for refining existing features and expanding functionality to encompass a more comprehensive set of collaboration tools. The post expresses a vision for Tangled to become a robust and community-driven alternative to existing centralized Git platforms, ultimately empowering developers with greater ownership and control over their code and collaboration workflows. The underlying atproto architecture aims to foster a more open, interconnected, and resilient ecosystem for software development.
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43234544
Hacker News users discussed Tangled's potential, particularly its use of the atproto protocol. Some expressed interest in self-hosting options and the possibility of integrating with existing git providers. Concerns were raised about the reliance on Bluesky's infrastructure and the potential vendor lock-in. There was also discussion about the decentralized nature of atproto and how Tangled fits into that ecosystem. A few commenters questioned the need for another git collaboration platform, citing existing solutions like GitHub and GitLab. Overall, the comments showed a cautious optimism about Tangled, with users curious to see how the platform develops and addresses these concerns.
The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: Tangled – Git collaboration platform built on atproto" has generated a moderate amount of discussion. Many commenters express interest in the platform's potential and its use of the atproto federation protocol. There's a recurring theme of curiosity about how Tangled differentiates itself from existing Git collaboration platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
Several commenters focus on the decentralized nature of atproto and its implications for Tangled. Some see this as a significant advantage, envisioning a future where developers have more control over their code and are less reliant on centralized platforms. They also discuss the potential for greater resistance to censorship and vendor lock-in. Others express skepticism about the feasibility of a decentralized Git platform, raising concerns about discoverability, moderation, and the potential for fragmentation.
A compelling thread discusses the challenges of building a successful decentralized platform, highlighting the network effects that benefit centralized platforms. Commenters debate whether the benefits of decentralization are enough to overcome the convenience and established user base of existing solutions.
Another point of discussion revolves around the specific features of Tangled and how they compare to existing platforms. Commenters inquire about features like code review, issue tracking, and CI/CD integration. Some express a desire for more detailed information on Tangled's functionality.
Several users also raise questions about the atproto protocol itself, its maturity, and its security implications. There is a general sense of cautious optimism about the project, with many acknowledging the potential benefits of a decentralized Git platform while also recognizing the challenges involved.
Finally, some comments express concern about the potential for abuse and the difficulty of moderating a decentralized platform. This leads to a discussion about the trade-offs between decentralization and content moderation. Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and healthy skepticism about the potential of Tangled and the atproto protocol.