# Code-Graph-RAG License: MIT Open Source Terms Explained

> Understand the MIT License terms for Code-Graph-RAG. This permissive open-source license allows free use, modification, and distribution with attribution.

- Repository: [Vitali Avagyan/code-graph-rag](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag)
- Tags: license-explained
- Published: 2026-08-18

---

**Code-Graph-RAG is released under the MIT License, a permissive open-source license that allows unrestricted use, modification, and distribution provided the original copyright notice is preserved.**

The `vitali87/code-graph-rag` repository is an open-source project implementing graph-based retrieval augmented generation techniques. Understanding the code-graph-rag license is essential for developers integrating this tool into commercial or academic workflows. According to the source code analysis, the project is explicitly licensed under the MIT License, granting broad permissions with minimal attribution requirements across the `LICENSE`, [`README.md`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/README.md), and [`pyproject.toml`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/pyproject.toml) files.

## MIT License Permissions for Code-Graph-RAG

The `LICENSE` file in the repository root contains the full MIT license text. This license grants anyone the permission to **use**, **copy**, **modify**, **merge**, **publish**, **distribute**, **sublicense**, and/or **sell** copies of the software.

The sole requirement is that the original copyright notice and license text must be included in all copies or substantial portions of the software. This makes the MIT License particularly attractive for enterprise adoption, as it imposes no copyleft obligations or usage restrictions on derivatives.

## Where License Information Is Stored

The license for code-graph-rag is documented across three authoritative locations in the repository:

- **`LICENSE`**: Located at the repository root, this file contains the complete MIT license text and copyright notice.
- **[`README.md`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/README.md)**: The license section in the README confirms the MIT choice and references the full license file.
- **[`pyproject.toml`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/pyproject.toml)**: This configuration file declares `license = "MIT"` in the project metadata, ensuring package managers and automated tools recognize the licensing terms.

## Programmatically Verifying the License

Developers can verify the license terms programmatically by reading the `LICENSE` file directly. The following Python function reads the license text from the repository root:

```python
import pathlib

def get_license_text() -> str:
    """Read the LICENSE file and return its contents."""
    repo_root = pathlib.Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]  # adjust as needed

    license_path = repo_root / "LICENSE"
    return license_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print(get_license_text())

```

Running this script outputs the MIT license verbatim, confirming the legal terms governing the `vitali87/code-graph-rag` codebase. This approach is useful for automated compliance checks in CI/CD pipelines or documentation generation workflows.

## Summary

- **Code-Graph-RAG** is licensed under the **MIT License**, as defined in the repository's `LICENSE` file.
- The license permits commercial use, modification, distribution, and private use without requiring source code disclosure.
- License metadata appears in **[`pyproject.toml`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/pyproject.toml)**, **[`README.md`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/README.md)**, and the dedicated **`LICENSE`** file for comprehensive visibility.
- Programmatic verification is possible using standard file I/O operations against the repository root.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is code-graph-rag open source?

Yes, `vitali87/code-graph-rag` is fully open-source software. The project is released under the MIT License, which is approved by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) and qualifies as a permissive open-source license suitable for both commercial and non-commercial use.

### Can I use code-graph-rag in commercial projects?

Yes, the MIT License explicitly permits commercial use. You can integrate, modify, and distribute the software in proprietary applications without royalty fees, provided you include the original copyright notice and license text with your distribution or substantial portions thereof.

### Where is the license information stored in the repository?

The primary license text resides in the `LICENSE` file at the repository root. Additionally, the [`README.md`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/README.md) file contains a license section referencing this file, and [`pyproject.toml`](https://github.com/vitali87/code-graph-rag/blob/main/pyproject.toml) includes the `license = "MIT"` metadata field for package management tools and automated license scanners.

### Do I need to contribute modifications back to the project?

No, the MIT License does not impose any copyleft requirements or reciprocal licensing obligations. You are free to modify the code and keep your changes private or distribute them under different terms. While contributing improvements back to the `vitali87/code-graph-rag` community is encouraged, it is not a legal requirement of the MIT License.