What Are the Licensing Terms for Superfile? A Complete Guide to the MIT License

Superfile is distributed under the MIT License, a permissive open-source license that allows commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, requiring only that the original copyright notice and license text be preserved.

Superfile is a modern terminal file manager written in Go. If you are considering using, contributing to, or redistributing this software, understanding the licensing terms for Superfile is essential for compliance. The project is openly hosted at github.com/yorukot/superfile and follows the MIT License standards common in the Go ecosystem.

Superfile's MIT License Explained

The licensing terms for Superfile are defined by the MIT License, a concise BSD-style permissive license that places minimal constraints on reuse. This license is stored in the repository's root directory and applies to all source code, documentation, and distributed binaries.

Where to Find the Official License Text

The complete legal text resides in the LICENSE file at the repository root. Additionally, the [README.md](https://github.com/yorukot/superfile/blob/main/README.md) file displays an MIT license badge that links to the full terms, providing immediate visual confirmation of the project's open-source status.

Copyright Holder and Timeline

According to the license header in the LICENSE file and source headers, Superfile is copyrighted by yorukot for the years 2023–2024. This attribution must remain intact in any redistributed copies or derivative works.

Permissions Granted by the Licensing Terms for Superfile

The MIT License grants six core freedoms that make Superfile suitable for both personal and enterprise use:

• Use – You may run Superfile for any purpose, including private, academic, or commercial applications.
• Copy – You can duplicate the source code or compiled binaries without quantitative or qualitative restrictions.
• Modify – You are free to change the code, add features, fix bugs, or create entirely new versions.
• Distribute – You may share the original or modified versions with others, either freely or for a fee.
• Sublicense – You can incorporate Superfile into larger projects with different licenses, provided the MIT terms are retained for the Superfile portion.
• Private Use – You are not obligated to publish your changes or make modified source code public.

Conditions and Requirements

While the licensing terms for Superfile are permissive, they impose two non-negotiable conditions:

Attribution – Any redistributed copy (source or binary) must retain the original copyright notice ("Copyright (c) 2023–2024 yorukot") and the full MIT license text. This includes displaying the license in documentation or including it in distributions.

Disclaimer – The software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind. The authors are not liable for damages arising from the use of Superfile. This disclaimer is explicitly stated in the LICENSE file and applies to both the command-line interface and any code imported from the project.

Practical Implementation Examples

When working with Superfile's source code or distributing applications that include it, follow these patterns to maintain compliance with the licensing terms.

Adding an MIT License Header to New Go Files

When extending Superfile or creating derivative works in Go, include a standard SPDX header at the top of each new file:

// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
// Copyright (c) 2024 yorukot

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    fmt.Println("Hello, Superfile!")
}

The SPDX-License-Identifier comment allows automated license scanning tools to recognize the MIT license immediately.

Including the License in Distribution Scripts

If you create an installation script for a Superfile binary, programmatically display the license to satisfy attribution requirements:

#!/usr/bin/env bash

# Install Superfile (MIT‑licensed)

# ...installation steps...

# Print license after install

cat <<'EOF'
MIT License

Copyright (c) 2023‑2024 yorukot

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software...
EOF

Referencing the License in go.mod Files

When importing Superfile as a dependency, document the license in your module file for transparency:

module github.com/yourname/yourproject

go 1.22

// The project includes Superfile (MIT‑licensed) as a dependency.
require (
    github.com/yorukot/superfile v0.9.0
)

Summary

Understanding the licensing terms for Superfile ensures compliant usage of this terminal file manager:

• Superfile uses the MIT License, a permissive license allowing commercial and private use.
• The copyright holder is yorukot (2023–2024), and this notice must be preserved.
• Key files defining the license are LICENSE and README.md in the repository root.
• You must include the copyright notice and license text when redistributing code or binaries.
• The license disclaims warranty and liability, standard for open-source software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Superfile in commercial projects?

Yes. The MIT License explicitly permits commercial use. You can deploy Superfile in enterprise environments, integrate it into commercial products, or offer it as part of paid services. You only need to maintain the copyright notice and license text as specified in the LICENSE file.

Do I need to open-source my modifications to Superfile?

No. The MIT License does not require you to distribute your source code or modifications. You can make private changes to Superfile and use them internally without publishing anything. However, if you distribute binaries or source code, you must include the original MIT license and copyright notice.

What happens if I remove the copyright notice from Superfile's code?

Removing the copyright notice violates the licensing terms for Superfile. The MIT License legally requires that the copyright notice and permission notice be included in all copies or substantial portions of the software. Removing this information terminates your license to use, modify, or distribute the software.

Is the MIT license compatible with GPL projects?

Yes. The MIT License is compatible with the GNU General Public License (GPL). You can incorporate Superfile's MIT-licensed code into GPL projects. The only requirement is that the MIT license terms for the Superfile-specific code remain intact, while the larger project can remain under GPL terms.

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