Forem is open-source software designed for building inclusive, sustainable online communities centered around knowledge sharing, discussions, and professional networking.

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🚀 Overview

Forem is an open-source platform that empowers anyone to create vibrant online communities. It powers popular sites like DEV.to, where developers share articles, engage in discussions, and build their professional profiles. Forem provides a flexible foundation for communities focused on any topic, from tech to hobbies.

What problem does this project solve? It addresses the need for customizable, sustainable, and open-source community software that's easy to self-host or inspect, moving away from proprietary platforms. Who is it built for? Community builders, developers, organizations, and groups like peers, customers, or fanbases. Why did you build it? Created by the team behind DEV.to (Ben Halpern, Jess Lee, and Peter Frank) to enable knowledge sharing and meaningful connections across passions and professions.

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✨ Key Features

• Article Publishing: Users can write and share blog posts, guides, and long-form content with Markdown support.
• Discussions & Comments: Threaded conversations to foster engagement and constructive dialogue.
• User Profiles & Networking: Build professional profiles, follow users, and connect within the community.
• Self-Hosting: Easy deployment with Docker for custom communities; upcoming improvements in frontend with Preact.

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🛠 Tech Stack

• Frontend: Preact, InstantClick
• Backend: Ruby on Rails, Puma, Sidekiq, Active Job
• Database: PostgreSQL, Redis
• Auth: Rolify, Pundit
• Hosting: Self-hosted (Docker, Fedora CoreOS), Heroku (for DEV.to)

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👥 Who Is This For?

This project is useful for:

• Developers who want to ___host their own dev-focused communities like DEV.to
• Teams looking for ___customer support forums or internal knowledge bases
• Indie makers building ___fanbases, families, or niche interest groups

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📸 Screenshots / Demo

• Live demo: https://dev.to
• GitHub: https://github.com/forem/forem

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🔥 Project Status

• 🟢 Actively building

Last updated: 2026-03-24

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❓ FAQ

Is this project free?

Yes — Open Source under GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL). (Explain briefly.)

Is the source code available?

Yes — https://github.com/forem/forem

Can I contribute?

Yes — Check the contributing guide at https://developers.forem.com/contributing-guide/forem. Help with issues, PRs (with tests), documentation, or feedback via GitHub.

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📬 Contact & Links

• Website: https://www.forem.com
• GitHub: https://github.com/forem
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/forem
• Email: support@dev.to

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