OpenSpec Licensing Details: MIT License Terms and Usage Guide

OpenSpec is released under the MIT License, a permissive open-source license that allows commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal requirements.

OpenSpec licensing details are governed by the MIT License as specified in the Fission-AI/OpenSpec repository. This permissive license grants broad rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software while requiring only that the original copyright notice and license text be preserved.

MIT License Overview for OpenSpec

The Fission-AI/OpenSpec repository uses the MIT License to govern all source files unless otherwise noted. According to the LICENSE file located at the repository root, users receive explicit permission to use OpenSpec for any purpose, including commercial applications, without requiring disclosure of source code.

The license text in the LICENSE file specifies four critical provisions:

• Permission – You may use OpenSpec for any purpose, including commercial projects, without restriction.
• Copyright notice – All copies must retain the original copyright notice and the full license text.
• No warranty – The software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.
• Distribution – You may redistribute original or modified versions under the same MIT terms.

Key Licensing Requirements and Permissions

Understanding the specific requirements ensures compliance when integrating OpenSpec into your projects.

Commercial Usage Rights

The MIT License explicitly permits commercial use of OpenSpec. You can integrate the library into proprietary software, create derivative works, and sell products containing OpenSpec code without paying royalties or obtaining additional permissions. This makes OpenSpec suitable for enterprise applications and closed-source products.

Attribution Requirements

When distributing OpenSpec or derivative works, you must preserve the copyright notice found in the LICENSE file. In the package.json file, the project declares "license": "MIT", which signals compliance expectations to package managers and automated license checkers.

For source code distributions, include the license header in new files:

/*
 * Copyright (c) 2024 OpenSpec Contributors
 * SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 *
 * This file is part of OpenSpec and is licensed under the MIT License.
 * See the LICENSE file for details: https://github.com/Fission-AI/OpenSpec/blob/main/LICENSE
 */

Disclaimer of Warranty

The license explicitly states that OpenSpec is provided without warranty. The authors are not liable for any damages arising from the use of the software. This limitation applies regardless of whether the usage is commercial or non-commercial.

Implementation Examples for Compliance

Proper compliance involves maintaining license notices in your project structure and distributions.

Adding License Headers to Source Files

When contributing to OpenSpec or creating derived files, include the standard MIT header:

/*
 * Copyright (c) 2024 OpenSpec Contributors
 * SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 *
 * This file is part of OpenSpec and is licensed under the MIT License.
 * See the LICENSE file for details: https://github.com/Fission-AI/OpenSpec/blob/main/LICENSE
 */

Package.json License Declaration

When consuming OpenSpec in a Node.js project, your package.json should accurately reflect the dependency chain:

{
  "name": "my-project",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "dependencies": {
    "openspec": "^1.5.0"
  },
  "license": "MIT"
}

Third-Party License Distribution

For applications redistributing OpenSpec, copy the license file to your distribution bundle:

{
  "name": "my-project",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "dependencies": {
    "openspec": "^1.5.0"
  },
  "license": "MIT",
  "scripts": {
    "postinstall": "cat node_modules/openspec/LICENSE > LICENSE-THIRD-PARTY.txt"
  }
}

This postinstall script ensures the LICENSE file from node_modules/openspec/ is preserved in your product's third-party license bundle.

Summary

OpenSpec licensing details establish a permissive framework that maximizes developer freedom while ensuring proper attribution:

• OpenSpec uses the MIT License as defined in the repository's LICENSE file.
• Commercial use is permitted without restriction or source code disclosure requirements.
• All distributions must include the original copyright notice and MIT License text.
• The README.md and package.json files provide additional licensing metadata and badges.
• No warranty is provided, and authors disclaim liability for usage damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OpenSpec free to use for commercial projects?

Yes. OpenSpec is completely free for commercial use under the MIT License. You can integrate it into proprietary applications, create derivative works, and sell products containing OpenSpec code without paying licensing fees or royalties.

Do I need to open source my code if I use OpenSpec?

No. The MIT License does not impose copyleft requirements. You may use OpenSpec in closed-source, proprietary projects without disclosing your source code. You only need to include the original MIT License notice and copyright statement in your distribution.

Where can I find the full license text for OpenSpec?

The complete license text is located in the LICENSE file at the root of the Fission-AI/OpenSpec repository. The README.md file also contains a license badge linking to the full text, and the package.json file declares the license type as MIT.

What are the attribution requirements when distributing OpenSpec?

You must retain the original copyright notice and a copy of the MIT License text in any distribution of OpenSpec or derivative works. This includes copying the LICENSE file into your distribution package or including the license header in source files, as shown in the implementation examples above.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}