# Docsy license

Understand what ELv2 permits, what it prohibits, and how it applies to self-hosting and contributions.

Written by: [nedimf](https://github.com/nedimf), [AppGram](https://appgram.dev)

Docsy is source-available under the [Elastic License 2.0](https://www.elastic.co/licensing/elastic-license/). ELv2 lets teams inspect, self-host, modify, and redistribute Docsy while preventing another company from turning substantial Docsy functionality into its own hosted or managed service.

This page is a practical summary. The repository's `LICENSE` file is the controlling legal text.

## What you can do

### Self-host documentation

You can deploy Docsy for documentation belonging to you or your organization. That includes public product documentation, private team documentation, permission-gated API references, and documentation for a commercial product.

You can deploy the static output, operate locked mode on your own infrastructure, or use an infrastructure provider on your behalf.

### Configure and modify Docsy

You can change `docsy.config.yaml`, write Markdown articles, replace branding, create ingestion adapters, and edit the Astro interface. ELv2 allows derivative works.

Your documentation inputs remain yours. Docsy does not claim ownership of your Markdown, OpenAPI documents, SDK metadata, images, or branding.

You can also replace or remove visible Docsy and AppGram branding from the published documentation page. The default logo and `Docsy provided by AppGram` footer are configurable branding, not mandatory attribution.

### Redistribute a modified version

You can copy and redistribute Docsy or a modified version when recipients also receive ELv2 and your modified copies contain a prominent notice explaining that you changed the software.

### Use Docsy commercially

Commercial use is not categorically prohibited. A business can use Docsy for its own documentation, and a consultant can be paid to configure or deploy Docsy for a client. Private modifications do not have to be published.

## What you cannot do

### Sell Docsy as a hosted service

You cannot operate a service that gives third parties access to a substantial set of Docsy's features or functionality. For example, you cannot rebrand Docsy as a competing SaaS documentation builder where customers configure, generate, or manage their documentation through your hosted Docsy service.

The restriction concerns providing Docsy itself as the hosted or managed product. Hosting your own Docsy-generated documentation is allowed.

### Remove legal notices

You cannot remove or obscure the `LICENSE` terms, copyright notices, or other legal notices from the Docsy software or copies you redistribute. This applies to legal notices shipped with the source, not optional branding rendered on your documentation website.

### Circumvent protected functionality

You cannot disable or bypass license-key functionality or remove functionality protected by a license key if a Docsy release contains those controls.

## Contributions

Issues and pull requests are welcome. Contributions accepted into Docsy are distributed under ELv2. By submitting a contribution, you must have the right to provide it under those terms.

## When to contact AppGram

Contact AppGram before launching a product that gives customers substantial access to Docsy itself. A separate commercial agreement may permit a use that ELv2 does not.