leandrocp/hexpm

Analysis updated 2026-08-10 · repo last pushed 2026-06-16

ElixirAudience · developerComplexity · 4/5MaintainedSetup · moderate

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Package manager website
      API for developer tools
      Package search and browse
    Tech stack
      Elixir
      Phoenix framework
      PostgreSQL
      Node front-end tooling
    Use cases
      Contribute to hex.pm
      Fix website bugs
      Improve package search
    Commercial features
      Stripe billing integration
      Paid accounts support
      Sandbox payment testing

mindmap root((repo)) What it does Package manager website API for developer tools Package search and browse Tech stack Elixir Phoenix framework PostgreSQL Node front-end tooling Use cases Contribute to hex.pm Fix website bugs Improve package search Commercial features Stripe billing integration Paid accounts support Sandbox payment testing

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Clone and run the hex.pm website locally to fix bugs or add features to the package manager platform.

USE CASE 2

Improve the package search functionality that Elixir and Erlang developers use to find libraries.

USE CASE 3

Test changes to the API that developer tools like the Hex command-line client depend on.

USE CASE 4

Contribute billing or payment-related features using the Stripe sandbox environment.

What is it built with?

ElixirPhoenixPostgreSQLNode.jsStripe

How does it compare?

	leandrocp/hexpm	axio-intelligence/squatch-mail	camilotk/booking
Stars	—	0	—
Language	Elixir	Elixir	Elixir
Last pushed	2026-06-16	—	2023-08-23
Maintenance	Maintained	—	Dormant
Setup difficulty	moderate	moderate	easy
Complexity	4/5	3/5	1/5
Audience	developer	developer	developer

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · moderate Time to first run · 30min

Requires Elixir, Phoenix, PostgreSQL, and Node tooling installed, plus a Stripe sandbox account for billing tests.

No license information is mentioned in the explanation, so the licensing terms for this codebase are unknown.

In plain English

Hexpm is the code behind hex.pm, the package manager website for the Elixir and Erlang programming ecosystems. If you've ever searched for a reusable code library written in Elixir, downloaded one, or published your own, you've interacted with this software. It provides the website you browse and the API that developer tools talk to when fetching or uploading packages. Under the hood, it's a web application built in Elixir using the Phoenix framework, backed by a PostgreSQL database. The setup involves installing dependencies, seeding a local database with sample data, and compiling front-end assets with Node tooling. It also integrates with Stripe for billing features, which covers paid accounts or premium services on the platform. The testing setup is thorough, including integration tests that simulate browser interactions and payment flows using Stripe's sandbox environment. This project is primarily for developers who want to contribute to the hex.pm platform itself. For example, if a developer wants to fix a bug on the website, add a new feature to the package search, or improve the API that other tools rely on, they would clone this repository, set up the local environment, and run it on their machine. It's also designed to support the Hex command-line client, ensuring that changes to the server don't break the tools developers use every day. The codebase is notably careful about maintaining compatibility across multiple supported versions of the Hex client, enforced through continuous integration. The billing and payment integration tests are kept separate from regular tests since they require connecting to a Stripe sandbox and a separate billing service, reflecting a deliberate separation between core platform functionality and commercial features.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

I want to contribute to hex.pm, the Elixir package manager website. Walk me through cloning the hexpm repository, installing Elixir and Phoenix dependencies, setting up PostgreSQL, seeding the database with sample data, and compiling front-end assets with Node so I can run it locally.

Prompt 2

I'm working on the hexpm codebase and need to add a new feature to the package search. Help me understand how the Phoenix routes, controllers, and database queries are structured so I can extend the search functionality correctly.

Prompt 3

I need to run the Stripe billing integration tests for the hexpm project. Guide me through setting up the Stripe sandbox environment and running the billing tests separately from the regular test suite.

Prompt 4

I want to make sure my changes to the hexpm server don't break the Hex command-line client. Help me understand how the compatibility testing works across multiple Hex client versions in the CI pipeline.

Prompt 5

I'm setting up the hexpm project locally and the front-end assets won't compile. Help me troubleshoot the Node tooling setup and figure out what version of Node and build dependencies I need.

Frequently asked questions

What is hexpm?

Hexpm is the web application that powers hex.pm, the package manager website where Elixir and Erlang developers find, download, and publish code libraries. It provides both the website interface and the API that developer tools use to fetch and upload packages.

What language is hexpm written in?

Mainly Elixir. The stack also includes Elixir, Phoenix, PostgreSQL.

Is hexpm actively maintained?

Maintained — commit in last 6 months (last push 2026-06-16).

What license does hexpm use?

No license information is mentioned in the explanation, so the licensing terms for this codebase are unknown.

How hard is hexpm to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated moderate, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is hexpm for?

Mainly developer.

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