ChatGPT generated response 2025-06-18
In my professional opinion, the TanStack ecosystem (e.g., TanStack Query, Router, Table, Virtual) would make a strong candidate for the OpenJS Foundation — provided the maintainers are aligned with the responsibilities and benefits that come with foundation stewardship.
- Projects like TanStack Query (React Query) are widely used and have become foundational in modern frontend development.
- The growing user base would benefit from a neutral, structured governance model to ensure longevity and resilience.
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The ecosystem is currently driven largely by Tanner Linsley and a small team.
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OpenJS offers:
- Legal and financial support
- Infrastructure and marketing assistance
- A path to shared governance, reducing burnout
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TanStack’s libraries are:
- Framework-agnostic
- Headless and declarative
- Modular and interoperable
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These principles match OpenJS’s mission to foster a healthy JavaScript ecosystem.
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TanStack is more than a single library — it’s a well-scoped suite:
@tanstack/query– Data fetching and caching@tanstack/table– Headless table logic@tanstack/router– Type-safe routing with layouts and loaders@tanstack/virtual– High-performance virtualization
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This makes community building and cross-project governance more manageable.
- Other frontend libraries like jQuery, ESLint, and webpack have successfully joined OpenJS.
- TanStack’s influence and adoption are on par with many of these projects.
- Tanner Linsley has historically preferred independent governance and lean processes.
- OpenJS introduces more structured governance — potentially slowing iteration or adding overhead.
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TanStack Table Pro uses a commercial license.
- OpenJS permits commercial models, but separation between open-source governance and monetization would need clarity.
- May require adjustments to licensing strategy or clearer documentation of boundaries.
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Joining OpenJS brings:
- Regular governance meetings
- Contributor onboarding policies
- Compliance with foundation-wide initiatives
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It’s not just a benefit — it’s also a long-term commitment.
✅ TanStack is an ideal technical and community candidate for OpenJS Foundation membership.
⚠️ The only blocker would be if the core team prefers full independence or is unwilling to shift to shared governance.
If sustainability, community trust, and long-term stewardship are goals for TanStack, then joining the OpenJS Foundation would be a highly strategic move.