The Linux Foundation has just announced something big for WordPress users and developers – the FAIR Package Manager project. This new tool promises to change the way plugins and themes are shared and updated, making the WordPress ecosystem more stable, secure, and open.
But what exactly is it? In simple terms, it’s a decentralized repository – a new place where developers, hosting companies, and users can find and share plugins and themes. Unlike the current setup, which depends heavily on one central directory, FAIR opens up the process. Anyone can contribute, and no single company controls it.
“The FAIR Package Manager project paves the way for the stability and growth of open source content management” said Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation.
Why FAIR matters for web hosts and agencies
Today, most WordPress plugins and themes come from a single central source: the official WordPress repository. While convenient, this setup creates risks – if there’s a problem or delay at the source, everyone is affected.
The FAIR Package Manager changes that. It spreads the risk by allowing trusted, independent sources to offer plugins and themes. Hosting companies and agencies can now access a federated network of verified resources instead of relying on a single point of failure.
This move also improves security and privacy. FAIR limits how much user data is automatically sent back to plugin creators and strengthens the supply chain with better encryption and verified plugin sources.
“The WordPress community has grown immensely over the past 20 years,” said Ryan McCue, co-chair of the Technical Steering Committee. “With the FAIR Package Manager project, we’re working to stitch the ecosystem back together.“
For companies offering dedicated WordPress hosting or pre-installed WordPress services, FAIR is a game changer. They can now carefully select, verify, and even self-host the plugins and themes they deliver to clients.
Agencies managing WordPress sites will benefit, too. With FAIR, they can create custom update workflows – picking only trusted, tested plugins from multiple verified sources. This helps reduce the risks linked to unknown updates or vulnerabilities, and it makes it easier to deliver tailored maintenance and secure update services to clients who expect stability.
By using FAIR, hosting companies and agencies gain much more control over the plugin supply chain. They are no longer tied to automatic, unverified updates from a single source. Instead, they can pre-screen plugins, manage updates on their own terms, and guarantee higher reliability for every website they host or manage.
As Mika Epstein, one of the project leaders, summed it up: “The work we’re doing will improve not only the experience for users, but the sustainability and growth that the FAIR Package Manager project will make available to development companies, hosts, and agencies.“
In short, the FAIR project gives professionals the tools to offer better, more secure WordPress solutions – whether for a single client or for thousands.
A better future for developers and users
For developers, the FAIR repository offers freedom – they get to choose how and where they publish their work. This could lead to more innovation, as different companies and individuals contribute without being restricted by one platform’s rules.
Users, too, will see benefits. More plugins, better security, and a more transparent system are all good news. It also brings WordPress closer to meeting stricter privacy laws like GDPR, by cutting down on hidden data collection.
Carrie Dils, another co-chair of the project, explained it simply: “The FAIR Package Manager project offers a trustworthy, stable path forward.” The project is now live and open for contributions at fair.pm. Hosting it under the Linux Foundation ensures neutral governance and transparency. As Joost de Valk from Emilia Capital put it: “This structure encourages broad participation and gives organizations the confidence needed to build, adopt and invest securely.“
A step forward for open source
The FAIR Package Manager might seem technical, but its impact is simple: more freedom, better security, and a stronger WordPress. It could reduce risks for businesses and developers, and give users more trustworthy tools to build their websites.
In a world where open source is the foundation of much of the internet, a more decentralized and secure WordPress is a welcome upgrade. As Robin Bender Ginn from the OpenJS Foundation said: “The FAIR Package Manager Project helps to strengthen the software supply chain through greater transparency.“
It’s early days, but this project could shape the future of how we use and manage WordPress – for everyone.