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Licensing & Ownership

This page explains, in clear language, how licensing and ownership work in ComposeForge.

The goal is to remove ambiguity, not create it.

The Short Version

  • You own everything generated by ComposeForge
  • You are free to use, modify, share, and delete those files
  • ComposeForge does not claim rights over your configurations or deployments
  • The builder itself is proprietary (for now), but the output is not

If you only read one section, read this one.

What You Own

When you use ComposeForge, it generates files such as:

  • docker-compose.yml files
  • .env and configuration templates
  • Folder structures and helper scripts

These files:

  • Are generated locally for you
  • Belong entirely to you
  • Are not tracked, uploaded, or retained by ComposeForge
  • May be reused, shared, or published without restriction

ComposeForge does not embed licensing conditions into generated output.

What ComposeForge Does Not Own

ComposeForge does not claim ownership over:

  • Your server
  • Your data
  • Your Docker volumes
  • Your configurations
  • Your domain names
  • Your deployment choices

Once files are generated, ComposeForge has no control over how they are used.

The ComposeForge Builder

The ComposeForge builder (the website, interface, templates, and logic that generate files):

  • Is currently proprietary
  • Is operated by the ComposeForge project
  • Is not required to run your services after generation

You are not licensing the builder to run on your own infrastructure unless explicitly stated elsewhere.

Longevity & Exit Intent

ComposeForge is designed so that:

  • Generated files remain usable without ComposeForge
  • Users are not dependent on ongoing access to the builder
  • There is no technical lock-in

If ComposeForge were ever discontinued, the stated intent is to release the builder source so users are not stranded with undocumented or unusable configurations.

This is a commitment to continuity, not a legal guarantee.

Upstream Software Licenses

ComposeForge bundles and references third-party open-source software.

Each application included has its own license, determined by its upstream maintainers. Common examples include:

  • MIT
  • Apache 2.0
  • GPL
  • AGPL

It is your responsibility to comply with the licenses of the software you choose to run, especially in commercial or redistributed contexts.

ComposeForge does not relicense upstream software.

Commercial & Non-Commercial Use

Unless otherwise stated:

  • Generated files may be used for personal, educational, nonprofit, or commercial purposes
  • There are no usage-based restrictions imposed by ComposeForge on generated output

Pro editions may introduce additional tooling or automation, but they do not change ownership or restrict Community Edition usage.

What This Page Is Not

This page is not:

  • A replacement for legal advice
  • A comprehensive summary of every upstream license
  • A restrictive terms document

It exists to make ownership and intent clear in human language.

In Summary

  • You own what you generate
  • ComposeForge does not run or control your systems
  • There is no lock-in
  • Licensing is transparent by design

ComposeForge exists to help you build systems you understand and control — not to insert itself between you and your infrastructure.

If you’re new, see
→ Getting Started

If you want to understand scope and limits, see
→ Community Edition