This is a draft for discussion.

What is GNOME

GNOME is collection of software modules that are combined to form a graphical desktop environment.

We also use the name GNOME for the project that is producing this software, which is backed by the GNOME foundation.

The GNOME foundation owns the trademark GNOME, and it is important that we know what we mean when we talk about GNOME.

What can be part of GNOME

The GNOME release team decides what modules are part of a GNOME release, and in wider sense, what modules are part of GNOME.

Criteria for being considered a part of GNOME

To be considered a part of GNOME, a module must satisfy some criteria.

It must be, or must at least be able to be, hosted on git.gnome.org or gitlab.gnome.org
It must be under a free or permissive license
It must be an open source project
It should follow the GNOME release schedule if it is actively developed
It should follow the GNOME HIG if it offers a user interface.

GNOME consists of a large number of modules. Apart from the core of the desktop, it includes a large number of applications. Some of the applications are more closely integrated with the desktop than others.

What is part of the current GNOME release

The GNOME release team maintains the authoritative source of what they include in each GNOME release in the gnome-build-meta repository.

Core desktop

gnome-shell
mutter
gnome-settings-daemon
gnome-control-center
gnome-session
gdm
gtk
glib
adwaita-icon-theme
...

Core applications