The Zig project is migrating from GitHub to Codeberg, a non-profit Git hosting company based in Berlin, Germany, with Zig lead developer Andrew Kelley declaring that GitHub now suffers from “some kind of bloated, buggy JavaScript framework” and that GitHub Actions are unreliable and neglected.

Zig is a programming language with native compilation that is under development, but already in use by prominent projects including the Bun JavaScript bundler. Kelley said Zig has already been migrated and from yesterday the GitHub repository has been made read-only. GitHub issues (bug reports and discussions) and pull requests (proposed code changes) have not been migrated.

Kelley gave several reasons for the move, including poor performance which he attributed to JavaScript framework changes (as we reported in January), and unreliable Actions, used for continuous integration and continuous delivery, which he said are “completely neglected” and on which jobs run “seemingly at random.”

Kelley also objected to GitHub’s embrace of AI, which runs counter to the Zig project’s policy of disallowing use of large language models (LLMs) for issues, pull requests or comments. He referenced several violations of this policy and believes GitHub’s constant promotion of AI is one factor in this.

The main problem with leaving GitHub, Kelley said, is that GitHub Sponsors, a programme which makes it easy to donate to the project, provides a substantial part of the Zig Software Foundation’s income. In 2024 it was the largest single source of income with more than $170,000 donated.

“We consider it a liability,” said Kelley, requesting that sponsors use a different channel such as Every.org, itself a non-profit.

GitHub was acquired by Microsoft in June 2018, at which time it was stated that GitHub would continue to be “operated independently to provide an open platform for all developers.” That status changed in August this year, when GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke stepped down and was not replaced, with the business now part of Microsoft’s CoreAI division, which also includes developer and AI platform products.

Codeberg now hosts upwards of 320,000 projects, using its open source Forgejo software which can also be self-hosted. Use of Codeberg is free but it is only for open source projects; the terms of use only allow private repositories under limited circumstances such as “things required for FLOSS [free/libre open source software], like storing secrets, team-internal discussions or hiding projects from the public until they’re ready.” GitHub, by contrast, allows private repositories for commercial use even with free accounts.

Response to Kelley’s move is mixed. There is some dissatisfaction with GitHub, mainly related to UI (user interface) performance and intrusive AI features; but also frustration with the Zig project, with one developer on Reddit saying the sudden migration is one in a growing list of mis-steps “including constantly breaking everyone’s code, making unused variables an error despite users’ pleas, and making fun of said users.” Kelley’s intemperate language also comes in for negative criticism; and some find the performance of Codeberg no better than that of GitHub.

Another issue is that the popularity of GitHub adds friction to projects that move elsewhere. “You’re running what aims to be a major programming language – have it where people expect and live with your gripes about the platform,” said a comment on Hacker News.

The implication is that Zig’s move is not necessarily one that will be widely followed, even by open source projects. 

That said, the demand from developers for a snappy interface and less AI dominance on GitHub is substantial, though Microsoft seems resistant to such pushback.