Powering connected social communities with open-source software
Aardwolf Social is a free and open-source alternative to Facebook that prioritizes user privacy and decentralization. Unlike mainstream platforms that present a single advertising-driven experience, Aardwolf empowers individuals and communities to create unique, customizable spaces while maintaining the ability to interact across different instances.
- User Privacy First: No ads, no tracking—just a community-first social experience.
- Decentralized & Customizable: Each community can have its own Aardwolf server (instance) that fits its specific needs.
- Open Source: Built by the community for the community.
| Folder/File | Description |
|---|---|
.github/ |
CI/CD Files related to GitHub |
aardwolf-actix/ |
The Actix backend Rust application code |
aardwolf-models/ |
Web app models and database setup files |
aardwolf-templates/ |
Legacy frontend files |
aardwolf-test-helpers/ |
Development functional test code |
aardwolf-types/ |
Additional web app components |
aardwolf-yew-frontend/ |
The Yew frontend application code |
config/ |
Aardwolf Social app configuration files |
doc/ |
Documentation |
docker/ |
Docker files |
po/ |
Legacy directory for i18n translations |
src/ |
The source directory for the main app |
tests/ |
Code validation and coverage tests |
build.rs |
Rust code that directs Cargo build |
Cargo.lock |
Complete manifest of all Rust crates used |
Cargo.toml |
Manifest of crates required to build Aardwolf |
CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md |
Our Code of Conduct rules |
db-init.sh |
Part of the setup/install scripts |
diesel.toml |
Tells Diesel where to find the SQL migrations |
LICENSE |
The license we use for this software |
README.md |
The file you are presently reading |
ROADMAP.md |
Our development roadmap |
rust-toolchain.toml |
Specifies the Rust version for the dev environment |
SECURITY.md |
Future info for security updates |
translations/ |
Translations directory (links to aardwolf-templates) |
Check out a preview of the homepage design below! This static demo showcases our design approach and upcoming features.
We would love your help! Whether you’re an experienced developer or just starting, there’s a place for you in the Aardwolf community. Here are some ways to contribute:
- Rust Developers: If you're proficient in or learning Rust, we need your expertise to improve our backend.
- Frontend Developers: Help us design a beautiful and functional user interface using HTML, CSS, and Yew.
- Documentation: Proofread, organize, and update our documentation.
- Docker & VMs: Assist in building Docker images for development environments.
Follow these steps to start contributing to Aardwolf Social:
-
Fork the Repository:
- Navigate to the main repository Aardwolf Social GitHub Repo.
- Click the Fork button in the upper right corner to create a copy of the repository under your GitHub account.
-
Clone the Repository:
- Open your terminal and clone the forked repository to your local machine:
git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/aardwolf.git cd aardwolf
- Open your terminal and clone the forked repository to your local machine:
-
Create a New Branch:
- Before making any changes, create a new branch for your feature or fix. This keeps your contributions organized and separate from the main codebase:
git checkout -b feature-name
- Before making any changes, create a new branch for your feature or fix. This keeps your contributions organized and separate from the main codebase:
-
Make Your Changes:
- Add your contributions, whether it’s code, documentation, or other improvements. Once you're happy with your changes, stage and commit them:
git add . git commit -m "Description of your changes"
- Add your contributions, whether it’s code, documentation, or other improvements. Once you're happy with your changes, stage and commit them:
-
Push the Changes to Your Fork:
- Push the changes from your local machine to your forked repository:
git push origin feature-name
- Push the changes from your local machine to your forked repository:
-
Create a Pull Request (PR):
- Go to your forked repository on GitHub, and you should see a prompt to Compare & pull request.
- Click that, and make sure you're merging into the main branch of the original
Aardwolf-Social/aardwolfrepository. - Provide a clear title and description for your pull request so that maintainers can easily understand your changes.
-
Wait for Feedback:
- A project maintainer will review your PR. They may ask for changes or approve it. Feel free to discuss or clarify anything in the PR comments.
- Check out our contributor guidelines for detailed rules and tips.
- View our development roadmap to see current priorities and future plans.
Aardwolf Social is divided into several repositories:
- Aardwolf-Social Main: The main project repository.
- Aardwolf Social Interface: The frontend development repository.
- Aardwolf Social Website: Repository for the Jekyll-powered website.
Have questions or want to join the conversation? We’re available on several platforms:
- Matrix Chat Room: #aardwolf-discussion:matrix.org
- Mastodon: @banjofox2@hackers.town
Aardwolf Social is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive community. We expect all contributors to follow our Code of Conduct both online and offline. Let's build something amazing together!
All Aardwolf Social software is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL v3).
Join Us in Building a More Open and Connected World with Aardwolf Social!