Discourse – GitHub Repository Overview

📌 General Description

• Discourse is a modern, 100% open-source platform for community discussion and forums.
• Built for simplicity, flexibility, and scalability with over a decade of development.
• Offers self-hosting and managed hosting options.

👉 GitHub: discourse/discourse

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⚙️ Technology Stack

• Backend: Ruby on Rails
• Frontend: Ember.js
• Database: PostgreSQL (primary), Redis (cache/transient data)
• Other: Numerous Ruby gems, Ember tooling, Docker support, BrowserStack integration

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🚀 Setup & Requirements

• Languages / Frameworks:
  • Ruby ≥ 3.3
  • PostgreSQL ≥ 13
  • Redis ≥ 7
• Supported Environments:
  • Docker
  • Dev Containers
  • macOS
  • Ubuntu / Debian
  • Windows (via WSL)

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📂 Repository Contents

• README.md → project introduction & setup
• LICENSE.txt → GPL v2 (or later)
• CONTRIBUTING.md → contribution guidelines
• SECURITY.md → reporting security issues

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🔒 Security Highlights

• Password hashing: PBKDF2 + SHA-256 (600k iterations)
• XSS protection: Sanitized previews & markdown rendering
• Responsible disclosure: HackerOne program or via email
• Peer-reviewed open-source code for transparency

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🌍 Broader Platform Context

📖 History & Licensing

• First released: August 26, 2014
• Developed by Civilized Discourse Construction Kit, Inc. (founded by Jeff Atwood, Robin Ward, Sam Saffron)
• Licensed under GNU GPL v2 (or later)
• Raised $20M funding in 2021
• Leadership update (2023): Sam Saffron & Sarah Hawk as co-CEOs

🛠 Core Features

• Discussion structure: Topics, categories, tags, trust levels
• UI/UX: Infinite scrolling, live preview composer, @mentions, emojis
• Community tools: Groups, chat, private messaging, notifications, badges
• Integrations: REST API, SSO, social login, plugins, themes
• Mobile apps: DiscourseHub for iOS & Android

🌐 Adoption

• Powers 22,000+ communities worldwide
• Flexible self-hosting or managed hosting (from ~$20/month)
• Supported by an active ecosystem of plugins and themes

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📊 Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Repository	discourse/discourse
Tech Stack	Ruby on Rails, Ember.js, PostgreSQL, Redis
License	GPL-2.0 or later
Core Features	Threads, categories, tags, rich composer, chat, API, plugins/themes
Security	PBKDF2 hashing, XSS protection, HackerOne disclosure program
Community & Hosting	22k+ communities, paid hosting available
History	Launched 2014, GPL, $20M funding (2021), leadership change in 2023
Unique Value	Modern UX, mobile-first, extensible, SEO-friendly, strong moderation tools