The Hive Code has one front door: Start. It asks what you want to do and gives you three answers. Pick the one that fits today. You can always do another one later.
1. I have an idea
You don't need to code to start here. Tell the hive what you wish existed, who it's for, and what it must do. It takes about a minute, and you can start writing before you sign in.
What happens next:
- People back it, which fills its momentum meter.
- They talk it through and add what the hive wants it to do.
- Builders sign up, and one becomes the lead builder.
When the meter fills and a lead builder is in, the build starts and the idea becomes a project. You keep founder credit for posting it first. Ideas are public, so anyone can build them, here or anywhere. How an idea becomes a hive has the details.
2. I'm building something
You have an app, or part of one, and you want people to try it and tell you what to change. List it as a project.
There are two ways in:
- Connect GitHub (recommended). Install The Hive Code app on a public repo you administer, and we fill in the page from it: the name, what it is, the license, and the README. A HIVE.md file in the repo fills in even more. GitHub also proves the project is yours.
- No GitHub yet. Built it with Lovable, Bolt, Replit, or somewhere else? List it with screenshots, a live demo, and a short note on what it does. Our team takes a quick look before it goes up, until you have been around a while. You can connect a repo later from your listing.
Either way, people can try it right on the page, leave feedback beside it, and see their name when you mark what they asked for as shipped.
3. I'm building something to sell
Some projects are businesses, and their code is the product. You can still get the hive's help without giving the code away. List it as a commercial project:
- The code stays closed. It is never uploaded to The Hive Code.
- The pitch, screenshots, live demo, and feedback are public, like any other project.
- The page shows a Commercial badge and a short note on how credit works.
Helping earns credit and Honey, not equity, revenue, or rights to the code. If you and a helper agree to more, that deal is between the two of you. Write it down first.
If you later make the code open, connect its public GitHub repo from your listing. The project stops being commercial and gains everything open projects have, like the README and ways to use the code.
Which one should I pick?
- You know what you want but won't build it: I have an idea.
- You built something and want feedback, open or not yet on GitHub: I'm building something.
- You built something you plan to charge for: I'm building something to sell.
Ready? Start something.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need GitHub to list a project?
No. You can list a project with screenshots and a live demo, and connect a public GitHub repo later. Without GitHub, our team takes a quick look before it goes up, because nothing proves the project is yours.
Can I sell what I build?
Yes. A commercial project keeps its code closed and never sends it to us. Its pitch, screenshots, demo, and feedback are public. People who help earn credit and Honey, not equity, revenue, or rights to the code. Any deal is between you and them.
Can I start before I make an account?
Yes, for ideas. Answer the five questions on Start a build, and sign in at the end to post it. Your answers wait in your browser.