# Open Contributions Descriptor

**URL:** <https://discourse.ossbase.org/t/open-contributions-descriptor/1024>\
**Category:** ossbase.org\
**Tags:** standard\
**Created:** [February 23, 2026, 7:38am UTC](https://discourse.ossbase.org/t/open-contributions-descriptor/1024 "2026-02-23T07:38:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![adulau](https://discourse.ossbase.org/user_avatar/discourse.ossbase.org/adulau/32/6_2.png) [@adulau](https://discourse.ossbase.org/u/adulau)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 2:39pm UTC](https://discourse.ossbase.org/t/open-contributions-descriptor/1024/3 "2026-02-23T14:39:05Z")

</div>

# Possible extension (TRL?)

| TRL Level | TRL Name | Typical Open Source Project State | Usability Level (for Users) | Indicators in an Open Source Context |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TRL 1 | Basic principles observed | Idea, research notes, or early concept | Not usable | Whitepapers, discussions, research repo, no runnable code |
| TRL 2 | Technology concept formulated | Initial architecture or proof sketches | Not usable | Design documents, experimental branches, incomplete prototypes |
| TRL 3 | Experimental proof of concept | Proof-of-concept implementation | Usable only by developers | Minimal code, manual execution, no packaging, unstable APIs |
| TRL 4 | Technology validated in lab | Early prototype | Very limited usability | Runs locally, partial documentation, frequent breaking changes |
| TRL 5 | Technology validated in relevant environment | Functional prototype tested by early adopters | Usable by technical users | Installation instructions exist, example datasets, early feedback loop |
| TRL 6 | Technology demonstrated in relevant environment | Beta-stage open source project | Moderately usable | Releases published, issue tracking active, partial automation, growing community |
| TRL 7 | System prototype in operational environment | Production pilot deployments | Usable by practitioners | Stable core features, upgrade path, CI/CD, real-world users |
| TRL 8 | System complete and qualified | Mature open source software | Highly usable | Good documentation, packages/containers, API stability, security practices, contributor guidelines |
| TRL 9 | Actual system proven in operation | Widely adopted, production-grade open source ecosystem | Very high usability | Large user base, governance model, long-term maintenance, integrations, ecosystem tooling |

Following discussion at [TRL support for Status · Issue #292 · publiccodeyml/publiccode.yml · GitHub](https://github.com/publiccodeyml/publiccode.yml/issues/292)

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_[View the full topic](https://discourse.ossbase.org/t/open-contributions-descriptor/1024)._