Gentoo Linux Migrates to Codeberg to Evade GitHub Copilot Training

Gentoo Linux has begun a phased migration from GitHub to Codeberg, a decision driven by concerns over Microsoft’s Copilot AI tool training on publicly available code repositories. The move aims to protect the Gentoo project’s intellectual property and align with its commitment to transparency and control over its codebase.

Concerns Over GitHub Copilot

The Gentoo project expressed dissatisfaction with GitHub’s Copilot, an AI pair programmer, and its practice of training on publicly hosted code. Developers reported instances of Copilot-like features appearing within the GitHub interface, prompting concerns about the employ of their code for AI training without explicit consent. Phoronix first reported on the migration.

Why Codeberg?

Codeberg, a non-profit organization based in Germany, offers a Forgejo-based platform as an alternative to GitHub. Forgejo is a fork of Gitea, providing repository hosting, issue tracking, and collaborative development tools. Gentoo selected Codeberg due to its commitment to open-source principles and its privacy-focused approach. Windows Forum details the technical and philosophical fit of Codeberg for Gentoo’s needs.

Phased Migration and Current Status

The migration is being implemented in phases, starting with the ebuild repository – the core of Gentoo’s package management system – now hosted on Codeberg and accepting contributions. Gentoo plans to gradually migrate all its GitHub repositories to Codeberg while maintaining a presence on both platforms during the transition. Gentoo’s New Year update confirmed the ongoing migration and highlighted the project’s concerns regarding forced Copilot usage.

Gentoo in 2026: A Snapshot

As of January 5, 2026, Gentoo consists of 31,663 ebuilds for 19,174 different packages. Approximately 89 GB of binary packages are available on the mirrors for the amd64 architecture. The project builds 154 distinct installation stages weekly, with a high percentage remaining up-to-date. The number of commits to the main ::gentoo repository totaled 112,927 in 2025, with 9,396 commits from external contributors. Gentoo’s New Year update provides these statistics.

Looking Ahead

Gentoo’s move to Codeberg reflects a growing trend among open-source projects seeking greater control over their code and data. While GitHub remains a popular platform, concerns about AI training and data privacy are prompting developers to explore alternative solutions like Codeberg. The project intends to eventually eliminate its GitHub usage entirely, solidifying its commitment to a more independent and privacy-respecting development environment.