An introduction to joining the Apache Software Foundation through the Incubator
A podling is a project accepted into the Apache Incubator on its journey to becoming an Apache Top-Level Project (TLP).
Before entering, a proposal is submitted with a Champion, a Sponsor, and at least one ASF Member mentor.
Incubation is not only about technology it’s about learning and practicing The Apache Way.
Adopt ASF values: transparency, consensus, meritocracy, community over code, vendor neutrality.
Build a diverse and sustainable community.
Demonstrate ASF-compliant releases.
Ensure legal and policy compliance.
Graduate as an independent Apache project.
Subscribe to project mailing lists (dev@, commits@, private@).
Introduce the community and mentors on dev@.
Set up ASF infrastructure (Git, website, issue tracker, lists).
Review code import with mentor and IPMC guidance.
Begin practicing open, list-based decision making.
Guide the podling in applying ASF policies and culture.
Help interpret ASF rules and avoid common pitfalls.
Review and sign off on reports and releases.
Provide continuity between the podling and the IPMC.
Composed of initial committers, mentors, and voted-in PPMC.
Oversees the podling’s growth and governance.
Votes on releases and community decisions under IPMC oversight.
Uses ASF infrastructure, which remains managed by the Foundation during incubation.
Transparency: discussions and decisions on public lists.
Consensus: seek agreement; hold formal votes when needed.
Meritocracy: influence earned through contribution.
Community over Code: people and collaboration come first.
Vendor Neutrality: avoid single-company dominance.
Each release involves two votes:
1️⃣ Podling (PPMC) vote on dev@ (72-hour minimum).
2️⃣ IPMC vote on general@incubator.apache.org.
Must receive at least 3 +1 votes and more +1s than -1s.
A -1 vote is not a veto, but signals a concern to resolve.
Include the incubating name and ASF disclaimer.
Source releases must be staged under dist/dev/incubator/<podling>.
Choose the appropriate disclaimer: standard or work-in-progress.
File monthly reports for the first 3 months, then quarterly.
Summarize community growth, releases, and challenges.
Include mentor comments where appropriate.
Reports are reviewed by the IPMC and aggregated for the ASF Board.
Making decisions in private chats or company channels.
Delaying the first release too long.
Expecting mentors to handle process work.
Ignoring reports or feedback.
Not taking care of project branding and trademarks.
Podlings are ready to graduate when they:
Have a diverse and active community.
Operate independently using ASF practices.
Have made multiple compliant releases.
No longer rely on mentor oversight.
Graduation requires an IPMC vote and ASF Board approval.
Licensing: confirm provenance and correct headers.
CLAs: individual or corporate contributor agreements as needed.
Trademarks: names and logos must be approved and transferred if applicable.
Cryptography: follow ASF export and distribution policies.
AI-generated content: follow ASF generative-tooling policy and document provenance.
ASF Legal Shield: contributors are protected when following ASF-approved processes.
Disclaimers: use the standard or work-in-progress disclaimer as appropriate.
Apache is global — account for time zones, languages, and norms.
Be inclusive and avoid culture-specific references.
Respect volunteer time and differing availability.
Incubation is about community as much as code.
The Apache Way guides all decisions.
Mentors and the IPMC are here to help.
Graduation is the destination — openness is the path.
Ask mentors on the dev@ list — they’re your first contact.
Use general@incubator.apache.org for Incubator-wide questions.
Browse lists.apache.org for archived examples.
Check the Incubator Wiki for templates, FAQs, and checklists.
Read the Podling Orientation Guide.
Watch the PPMC Onboarding presentation.
Explore ASF Values to understand ASF culture.
Stay active on dev@ — transparency builds trust and trust builds community.
Reach out to your mentors early and often — collaboration is the Apache Way.