The COSS Standard: Principles for Software Neutrality
The Contriboss (COSS) Standard is defined by a set of five core principles that ensure software projects remain neutral, interoperable, and free from vendor lock-in. These principles guide projects that wish to bear the COSS Mark, signaling a commitment to building trustworthy and open technology.
Why the COSS Standard Matters
In an era of increasing vendor lock-in and proprietary silos, the COSS Standard provides a framework for building software that:
- Prioritizes user freedom over vendor interests
- Ensures true interoperability across different systems and platforms
- Maintains neutrality in design and governance decisions
- Enables standardization for the AI era and beyond
- Promotes ethical development practices
The Five Core Principles
Adherence to these principles is what gives the COSS Mark its meaning and assures users and developers that a project is genuinely dedicated to fostering trust, user freedom, and robust standardization.
1. Universal Access
Ensuring standard versions provide universal access without discriminatory restrictions or artificial barriers.
2. Anti-Vendor Lock-in
Architected against vendor lock-in with neutral naming conventions and design patterns that prevent ecosystem capture.
3. Optional Dependencies
Core functions operate without mandatory third-party dependencies, with clear separation between essential and optional features.
4. Modular Scope
Well-defined, composable building blocks with clear boundaries that enable standardization and interoperability.
5. Contributor Ethics
Ethical development practices guided by transparency, fairness, and commitment to the common good.
COSS.toml Metadata Standard
COSS projects include standardized metadata in a coss.toml file to help AI tools understand project structure, build processes, and conventions without guesswork. This reduces computational waste and enables more accurate AI assistance.
Detailed Exploration
For comprehensive details on each principle, including specific requirements, implementation guidance, and examples:
View Complete Standard Overview →
The COSS Standard represents a commitment to building technology that serves users and the broader ecosystem, not just vendor interests. Join us in creating a more open and trustworthy digital future.