Abandoned projects

A Backdrop contributed project is considered Abandoned when there is no maintainer listed in the README.md file. 

The only people who are authorized to make changes to an abandoned project are members of either the Backdrop Security Team or the Backdrop Bug Squad.  An abandoned project will not have any new releases other than security releases issued by the Backdrop Security Team, or bug-fix releases issued by the Backdrop Bug Squad.

A project must have a current maintainer listed in the README.md file to have a new release containing new features or any substantial changes.

Determining Abandoned Projects

If you believe that a project has been abandoned but there is a maintainer listed in the README.md file, you can do the following:

• Open an issue asking the maintainer if the project is abandoned, and/or if your name can be added as co-maintainer.
• If the maintainer responds within 2 weeks, the project has not been abandoned.
• If the maintainer does NOT respond within 2 weeks, you can create an issue in the contrib repository to request that your own name be added to the README.md as a co-maintainer. (Please include a link to the issue you filed against the project.)
• If the maintainer does NOT respond within 2 months, you can create an issue in the contrib repository to request that the maintainer's name be removed from the README.md file. (Please include a link to the issue you filed against the project.)
• Please understand that removing all maintainers will halt all forward progress for the project, as no new features or significant changes will be allowed until there is at least one maintainer listed again.

Adopting Abandoned Projects

You may apply to adopt an abandoned project. The procedure is as follows:

1. If you haven't already, please join the Backdrop Contrib group by submitting an application.
2. File an issue with the current project requesting to help maintain it.
   • Create a PR that adds your name to the list of maintainers in the README.md file.
3. Create a separate issue in the backdrop contrib queue asking to be added as a maintainer. 
   • Please include a link to the issue you filed in he queue for the abandoned project.
4. A Backdrop Contrib administrator will add your name to the list of maintainers in that project's README.md file (ideally, by merging your PR).
5. You may now maintain the project directly as though given permission by the current maintainer. Likewise, you may now grant permission for others to co-maintain the project as well.