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Radicle

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Multi-feature Platform
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A decentralized code collaboration network built on open protocols.

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Founder(s):  
Eleftherios
, 
, 
This post was written by 
Namita
and edited by 
Yu
 & 

Overview

What is it?

Radicle is a platform that enables decentralized code collaboration. In other words, it provides Git-like peer-to-peer functionality without relying on trusted intermediaries. 

It also comes with Ethereum integration, which allows users to do things like linking their ENS name to their profiles, gaining access to Radicle funding,and even creating a DAO or linking their existing DAO to Radicle.


What problem does it solve?

Most open-source code today is stored on centrally hosted platforms owned by corporations such as GitHub and GitLab.  These platforms are subjected to corporate law, are vulnerable to censorship, and also generally goes against the open-source and decentralized ethos of web3.

Radicle aims to remove dependency on these platforms and make open-source development completely decentralized and more accessible.


How does it work?

The easiest way to use Radicle is through Upstream, the open-source desktop client (development on Radicle network is public by default and completely open-source). Once you’ve installed Upstream, created an identity, and set up the environment, you’ll be able to start developing and accessing the Radicle network. 

The main difference between Radicle and traditional Git workflows is that the Radicle network is powered by Radicle Link which is a peer-to-peer replication protocol built on Git. Radicle Link supports a bazaar-style collaboration model in which there is no single canonical 'master' branch that contributors merge into, but a multitude of upstreams exchanging patches via remotes. Developers can choose who gets added to their network and sees their projects.



How do I use it?

DAO Masters Insights

Why it's cool:

  • It provides a completely decentralized platform for code collaboration.
  • Ethereum Integration: This integration allows users to link their Radicle identity to an Ethereum account through the Radicle Upstream client.
  • This Ethereum integration is optional, so as to make the Radicle network available to all the users who may be interested in using Ethereum chain privileges.
  • The tool has its own token! With the release of Radicle's native governance token, ownership and control of Radicle’s Ethereum integration is now decentralized amongst its community. This allows any developer to contribute to and influence the direction of the project, making Radicle an experiment in collective governance.

Challenges:

  • The platform is only in the early stages, and is only available for Linux and macOS right now.
  • The decentralized and bazaar-like collaboration model is also new, and needs some getting used to.

Words of advice:

Since the terminologies and the workflow differ to some extent in this tool as compared to a traditional code collaboration platform, please follow the getting started guide below which also includes the links to the tool website for relevant setup.

Expected future updates:

Radicle grants program which aims to directly support open source initiatives that help grow the Radicle product, its community, and the greater Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Web3 community at large.

Getting Started

Download and install Radicle Upstream, the desktop client.

It supports the following platforms: Linux and macOS (version 10.14 and newer) and can be downloaded from here.

Once installed you need to do the following:

  1. Create an Identity and set up a passphrase
  2. Set up Git and add the remote helper.


The detailed guide is here. It covers topics from development workflow to leveraging the Ethereum integration.

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