What public code is missing
Lots of public code is online already. What is rare is the context around a private codebase: the ticket that started a change, the review that sent it back and the fix after a release.
Your issue tracker, code review history and release notes connect those steps, over years of real product work.
Records that are often a fit
- Repositories and commit history. How a codebase grows and gets refactored.
- Code reviews and pull requests. The issues reviewers spot and the reasons.
- Bug reports and tickets. The path from reproducing a problem to closing it.
- Architecture docs. They explain why a system ended up built the way it is.
Code owned by others comes first
Client work often means the client owns the code, and their permission may be needed. Ownership is worked through as scope is set, and work your clients own can be left out completely. Your counsel is the one to review your contracts. We do not give legal advice.
Next comes customer data sitting in tickets, chat and logs. In the copy, names, emails and account details become placeholders.
Things you keep to yourself
- Client projects. Out unless you and your counsel decide otherwise.
- Core products. Hold back any repo, product or period.
- Secrets and credentials. Nobody ever asks for or shares a password.
How it starts for you
You start with the estimate form, and a License Your Data specialist calls within minutes to schedule a 15-minute call, covered by NDA. After that call, License Your Data prepares a de-identified copy of what is in scope. You approve a sample before any buyer licenses it.
Common questions
Will we still own our code?
No. Buyers license a de-identified copy. Your repositories stay where they are and stay yours.
Is there a fee?
It is free. There is no cost to you.
Do outsiders get into our repositories?
No. You are never asked for logins, and the originals stay in your systems.
Is there prep before the call?
No. Just know your team's tools and roughly when you started using them. Nobody will ask you for an export.
See what your engineering history could be worth.
Check my estimate