# The Source

Evidence-backed open-source and disclosed source-available alternatives to SaaS.

Human site: https://the-source.dev/
Agent guide: https://the-source.dev/agents/
Maintained MCP documentation: https://github.com/keithdealwis-ui/the-source/blob/main/docs/MCP.md
MCP endpoint: https://source-mcp.de-alwis.com/mcp
Transport: Streamable HTTP. Public, read-only, no authentication. Rate-limited.

## Tools
- source_get_alternatives: Replace a product. Ranked recommendations for a SaaS product, with evidence and replacement fit.
- source_recommend: Start with requirements. Match a need and apply constraints such as licence, self-hosting and maintenance. Reports requirements it cannot evaluate.
- source_compare_projects: Compare your shortlist. Compare two to five projects across licensing, health, replacement fit and momentum.
- source_search: Explore the catalogue. Search products and projects, with explicit recommended, scored and discovery tiers.
- source_detect_saas: Identify a product. Match a URL to a supported SaaS product using published domain rules. Does not visit the URL.
- source_list_supported_saas: Check coverage. List the products with published alternative recommendations.
- source_get_project: Inspect a project. Read project facts, maintenance, tier and relationships to the products it can replace.
- source_get_relationship: Trace a recommendation. Inspect one product–project pairing, its provenance, fit dimensions and recommendation decision.
- source_emerging_projects: Find emerging projects. Explore repository growth and community discussion, with measurement windows and coverage.
- source_get_momentum: Read the signals. Inspect a project’s repository momentum and the community mentions behind the signal.
- source_dataset_info: Check the evidence clock. Read dataset version, freshness, counts and the status of the published snapshot.

## Interpreting results
Keep recommended, scored and discovery tiers distinct. A discovered project is not automatically recommended. Check dataset version, data_as_of, snapshot and signal status. Report stale or unavailable evidence and not_evaluated requirements. Keep Project Health, Replacement Fit, Repository Momentum and Community Momentum separate. Distinguish open-source from source-available licences.

## Attribution
Published data: CC BY 4.0. Attribute: The Source (github.com/keithdealwis-ui/the-source), by Keith de Alwis.
Upstream notice: https://github.com/keithdealwis-ui/the-source/blob/main/data/canonical/NOTICE.md