gnustore

Gnustore is a proposed online repository and delivery platform for free software within the GNU Project. Intended to function as a centralized catalog, it would host GNU and other free-software projects, providing downloadable artifacts, metadata, licensing information, and build instructions. The aim is to simplify discovery and distribution while ensuring that software remains free and auditable by users and maintainers.

Key features would include a carefully curated catalog, clear licensing and copyright metadata, and provenance information for each item. Packages would be accompanied by build recipes or scripts suitable for GNU build systems, guidance for installation, and checksums or cryptographic signatures to verify integrity. The store would emphasize reproducible builds and transparent submission workflows, with automated checks for license compliance and license text availability.

Governance would be community-driven, with maintainers and reviewers operating under transparent processes. Participation from upstream project maintainers, volunteers, and affiliated institutions would help curate content, enforce licensing requirements, and respond to security issues. The platform would be designed to interoperate with existing GNU tools such as Guix and the GNU Build System, enabling users to locate, verify, and deploy software in freedom-respecting environments.

As of this writing, gnustore is described as a concept rather than a deployed service in the official GNU ecosystem. It illustrates how a centralized, auditable store could support the GNU project's goals of software freedom, reproducibility, and user empowerment.