Agent Infrastructure and the Open Source Question

Should agent infrastructure be open source? The answer isn't simple, but the principles are clear.

The Open Source Case

Open source infrastructure:

Enables trust: Teams can verify how infrastructure works. No black boxes.

Enables innovation: Teams can build on infrastructure. Extend, modify, improve.

Enables ecosystems: Open source enables ecosystems. Proprietary code creates silos.

Enables standards: Open source implementations become reference implementations. Reference implementations become standards.

The Protocol Alternative

But infrastructure can be open without being open source:

Open protocols: Protocols define standards. Anyone can implement them.

Reference implementations: Provide reference implementations, but protocols are what matter.

On-chain state: Critical state on-chain is open by definition. Anyone can read it.

Composable services: Services that compose are open to integration. Proprietary services aren't.

The Hybrid Approach

Most successful infrastructure uses a hybrid:

Open protocols: Standards are open. Anyone can implement them.

Reference implementations: Provide open source reference implementations.

Commercial services: Offer commercial services built on protocols.

On-chain state: Critical state on-chain is open. Implementation details can be proprietary.

Why This Matters

The question isn't whether infrastructure should be open source—it's what should be open:

Protocols: Must be open. Standards require openness.

State: Should be open. On-chain state is open by definition.

Implementations: Can be open or proprietary. What matters is protocol compliance.

The Principle

Infrastructure should be open where it matters:

Standards: Open protocols enable ecosystems.

State: Open state enables verification.

Integration: Open APIs enable composability.

Implementation details can be proprietary. What matters is that protocols, state, and integration are open.

Why This Matters

The teams that build open protocols and open state will enable the agent ecosystems that matter. The teams that build proprietary platforms will create silos.

Open source is one path. Open protocols and open state are another. Both enable ecosystems. The question is which path you choose.

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Part of the EchoRift infrastructure series. Learn more about EchoRift architecture.