Last updated: October 23, 2025
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Auto-Successor software-as-a-service ("Service") provided by Githelp AS ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). The Service is an open-source project succession management system designed to automatically transfer maintainer roles and associated agreements upon prolonged inactivity of a project's current maintainer.
By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.
Definitions
"Maintainer" refers to the individual who sets up and owns the Auto-Successor configuration for an Open Source Project.
"Successor" refers to an individual designated by the Maintainer to assume the Maintainer role upon the trigger of Auto-Succession.
"Open Source Project" refers to the specific software repository (e.g., on GitHub) for which the Service is activated.
"Auto-Succession" refers to the automated process managed by the Service that transfers the Maintainer role and associated rights/responsibilities to the next Successor in line.
"Inactivity Criteria" refers to the period of inactivity and the number of preceding reminders defined by the Maintainer that triggers the Auto-Succession process.
"Testament" refers to the instructions or documentation provided by the Maintainer, to be released to the Successor upon the trigger of Auto-Succession.
"User" refers to any individual accessing or viewing the Open Source Project, including Maintainers and Successors.
The Auto-Successor Service
We collect information primarily to operate the Auto-Successor service, including initiating succession triggers and notifying relevant parties.
2.1. Service Description
Auto-Successor is a succession management system that allows a Maintainer to pre-define Inactivity Criteria and a prioritized list of Successors for an Open Source Project. Upon meeting the Inactivity Criteria, the Service will initiate the Auto-Succession process, which includes notifying the Maintainer and, if confirmed inactive, offering the Maintainer role to the Successors in the specified order set by the Maintainer.
2.2. Maintainer Responsibilities
By activating the Service, the Maintainer agrees and acknowledges:
Authorization: You have the necessary authority and permissions to designate Successors and transfer the Maintainer role and associated agreements for the Open Source Project.
Configuration: You are solely responsible for defining the Inactivity Criteria and the Succession Order.
Accuracy: You are responsible for ensuring the contact and GitHub account information for all Successors is accurate and current.
SLAs/Agreements: Any transfer of Support Level Agreements (SLAs) or other third-party contractual responsibilities to a Successor is a transaction between the Maintainer, the Successor, and the third party. The Company acts solely as a notification and transfer facilitator and is not a party to, or responsible for, any such agreements or liabilities.
Testament: You are responsible for the content and legality of the Testament. The Company merely provides a secure storage and release mechanism.
2.3. Successor Role and Acceptance
Confirmation: A Successor may be added as "Unconfirmed" until they validate their role via email. However, both confirmed and unconfirmed Successors are subject to the Auto-Succession process.
Acceptance: Upon a trigger event, a Successor is given a defined time (e.g., two weeks) to Accept or Decline the transfer of the Maintainer role.
Effect of Acceptance: By accepting the transfer, the Successor agrees to assume the role of Maintainer, which may include any specified responsibilities outlined in the Testament or any transferred SLAs/agreements.
Transfer: The Company's role in the transfer is limited to initiating the automated handover process on the designated platform (e.g., GitHub).
2.4. Open Source Visibility
The Service is designed to enhance trust in your Open Source Project. By using the Service, you agree that information about the active Auto-Succession setup, including the Succession Order (GitHub IDs/Links) and the Auto-Successor badge, will be publicly visible on the Open Source Project's repository (e.g., in the README file).
Service Limitations and Disclaimer
3.1. Non-Interference
The Company does not monitor the actual activity of your Open Source Project. The Service relies solely on your pre-defined Inactivity Criteria (e.g., lack of commits, pull requests, etc., as determined by the integrated platform's API) to initiate the notification and succession process.
3.2. Legal and Contractual Liability
The Service facilitates a transfer of role. The Company is not a party to and bears no liability for:
The quality or maintenance of the Open Source Project after a succession.
Any legal, contractual, or financial obligations, including SLAs, transferred or assumed by a Successor.
Any disputes arising from a Maintainer’s designation of a Successor or a Successor’s acceptance/declination of the role.
3.3. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE.
Fees and Payment
4.1. Non-Interference
The Service is currently provided free of charge. We reserve the right to introduce a fee structure at a later date for new users.
Important Early Adopter Guarantee: Any user who activates the Auto-Successor Service for an Open Source Project while the Service is offered for free ("Early Adopter") will retain access to and use of the Service for that specific project free of charge forever. This guarantee applies to the specific Open Source Project linked to your Maintainer account at the time of your initial, free adoption.
4.2. Introduction of New Fees
Should we introduce fees, we will provide all users with at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice. New fee structures will only apply to projects activated by new users after the fee introduction date. Your continued use of the Service for any project that did not qualify under the Early Adopter Guarantee will be subject to the new fee structure upon the expiry of the notice period.
Intellectual Property
5.1 Company & IP
The Service, including all software, code, algorithms, and documentation related to Auto-Successor (excluding your Open Source Project code), is the exclusive property of the Company and its licensors.
5.2. License to Use
The Company grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to use the Service solely for the purpose of managing succession for your Open Source Project, subject to these Terms.
5.3. Project IP
These Terms grant the Company no rights, licenses, or interest in or to the intellectual property of your Open Source Project, including its code.
Termination
6.1. Termination by Maintainer
A Maintainer may deactivate the Service at any time through the Service's configuration dashboard. 6.2. Termination by Company: We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including without limitation if you breach the Terms. 6.3. Effect of Termination: Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. Any existing succession configuration will be removed, and the badge will become inactive.
Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Company and its employees and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising from:
Your use of and access to the Service.
Your violation of any term of these Terms.
Any claim that the transfer of the Maintainer role, including any associated SLAs or agreements, by the Service violated the rights of any third party.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
8.1. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Norway (Kongeriket Norge), without regard to its principles regarding conflicts of laws.
8.2. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration (Alternative)
Negotiation: The parties shall first attempt to resolve any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement through good-faith negotiations.
Arbitration: If a resolution cannot be reached through negotiation within thirty (30) days, the dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Oslo Chamber of Commerce (OCC).
Venue: The seat of the arbitration shall be Oslo, Norway.
Language: The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.
Changes to Terms
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms.