woodpecker
Woodpecker is an open-source CI/CD platform written in Go that automates code building, testing, and deployment. It offers Docker and Kubernetes support, runs lightweight on minimal resources (100 MB RAM for server), and is extensible via plugins.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | woodpecker-ci/woodpecker |
| Owner | woodpecker-ci |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 7.4k |
| Forks | 606 |
| Open issues | 344 |
| Latest release | v3.16.0 (2026-06-27) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/woodpecker-ci/woodpecker |
What woodpecker is
A Go-based CI/CD engine that uses SQLite by default, supports container-native execution (Docker/Kubernetes), exposes a REST API, and provides extensibility through a plugin ecosystem. Designed for low resource overhead in idle and active modes.
Get the woodpecker source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/woodpecker-ci/woodpecker.gitcd woodpecker# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Database choice: SQLite is default but production deployments may require PostgreSQL or MySQL for durability and scale; evaluate early.
- Agent scaling: Woodpecker uses a server-agent model; plan agent infrastructure and auto-scaling strategy before deployment.
- Plugin vetting: Community plugins require security review; establish policy for plugin sourcing and updates.
- Backup strategy: Self-hosted means you own data backup and disaster recovery; plan retention and restore procedures.
- Git provider integration: Verify your Git platform (GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, etc.) is supported and test webhook/auth flow.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Requiring managed, fully-hosted CI/CD — Woodpecker is self-hosted only. Teams seeking zero infrastructure overhead should consider SaaS alternatives like GitHub Actions or GitLab CI.
- Needing extensive pre-built integrations — While plugin-extensible, Woodpecker may require custom plugin development for niche or proprietary tool integrations. Evaluate plugin ecosystem completeness for your stack.
- Demanding large ecosystem of official step/action templates — Compared to GitHub Actions' marketplace or GitLab CI templates, Woodpecker's plugin/step library is smaller and community-driven; commercial integrations are absent.
- Organization with minimal DevOps expertise — Self-hosted deployment and management require operational knowledge. Teams without dedicated DevOps should prefer managed solutions.
License & commercial use
Woodpecker is Apache 2.0 licensed. Documentation (docs/) uses CC-BY-SA-4.0. Apache 2.0 is a permissive OSI license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution.
Apache 2.0 permits commercial use without restriction. No vendor lock-in or proprietary plugins observed in data. Deployment and customization costs are operational (hosting, staffing); no per-user or per-pipeline licensing fees.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Apache 2.0 with source headers for attribution. OpenSSF best practices badge present (bestpractices.coreinfrastructure.org/projects/5309), indicating security process awareness. Pre-commit.ci integration suggests code quality checks. Self-hosted deployment shifts security posture to operator (patching, network isolation, secret management). No security audit data provided. Sensitive data (API tokens, secrets) must be managed via platform; evaluate secret storage and rotation mechanisms.
Alternatives to consider
GitHub Actions
Managed SaaS, tightly integrated with GitHub, massive marketplace of actions. Choose if avoiding self-hosting and GitHub is your primary VCS.
GitLab CI/CD
Managed or self-hosted, strong Kubernetes integration, extensive templates. Choose for GitLab-centric organizations or needing managed option.
Jenkins
Mature, self-hosted, highly extensible. Choose if requiring decades of plugin ecosystem and organizational muscle memory; expect higher operational overhead than Woodpecker.
Build on woodpecker with DEV.co software developers
Woodpecker suits privacy-focused, container-native, or resource-constrained deployments. Review the plugin ecosystem, database requirements, and operational readiness before committing. Contact our DevOps team to assess fit for your infrastructure.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
Explore the category and the services that help you build with it.
woodpecker FAQ
Is Woodpecker free for commercial use?
Can I migrate from Jenkins or GitHub Actions to Woodpecker?
What databases does Woodpecker support?
How do I extend Woodpecker with custom steps?
Custom software development services
DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like woodpecker into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source devops stack.
Evaluate Woodpecker for Your CI/CD Needs
Woodpecker suits privacy-focused, container-native, or resource-constrained deployments. Review the plugin ecosystem, database requirements, and operational readiness before committing. Contact our DevOps team to assess fit for your infrastructure.