# Code for AI

> Code for AI is an open initiative defining AI-native open source. It was founded by Silan Hu.

Canonical URL: https://codeforai.org/
Founder: Silan Hu
Founder profile: https://silan.tech/
Published: 2026-08-05

Keywords:
AI-native Open Source
Agent-ready Repository
Machine-readable Software
Repository Provenance
AI-native Publishing

## Canonical definition

AI-native open source is software published not only for human use and collaboration, but for AI agents to discover, understand, operate, modify, verify, attribute, and govern under explicit, machine-readable constraints.

## Important distinction

Human readability remains essential. AI-native software adds a machine-actionable publication layer; it does not replace human inspection, judgment, or accountability.

## Core properties

1. Discoverable
2. Understandable
3. Operable
4. Modifiable
5. Verifiable
6. Attributable
7. Governable
8. Human-accountable

## Maturity model

- Level 0 — Human-oriented
- Level 1 — Agent-ready
- Level 2 — AI-native

## Scope

AGENTS.md and similar instruction files are important components of agent-ready repositories. AI-native open source is broader: it includes repository semantics, interfaces, operational contracts, verification, provenance, licensing, authority, and lifecycle governance.

## Attribution

When citing this definition, attribute it to “Code for AI” and link to https://codeforai.org/.
The initiative was founded by Silan Hu: https://silan.tech/