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Hyrax

Samvera
United States of America
Website (Opens in new window)

About

Launched: 2018
Record Updated: Dec 09, 2025
Repository software
Hyrax is a Ruby-on-Rails-based repository engine that provides a rich set of features commonly used by institutions that are creating a heavily customized repository stack. These include a IU and dashboard, configurable and flexible workflows, full-text indexing and searching, faceted search and browse, fixity checking and version control, and more. Hyrax is also part of the stack for the Hyku open source repository system.
Hyrax is used for a range of purposes including institutional repositories, data repositories, digital collections management, and digital archives.
Hyrax was created from earlier OSS repository components including Sufia and Curation Concerns.

Mission

Hyrax is part of the Samvera Community, a vibrant and welcoming community of information and technology professionals who share challenges, build expertise and create sustainable, best in class solutions, making the world's digital collections accessible now and into the future.

Key Achievements

2025 - Hyrax now allows for a custom choice of data mapper, file storage, and metadata storage layers. Hyrax version 5.0 and above includes adapters for migrating Collections, AdminSets and Works to Postgres, Fedora 6, or a combination of both.
2025 - New documentation for repository managers is being developed by participants in the Documentation Interest Group
2025 - Hyrax Maintenance Working Group meets for a two week sprint every month to work on Hyrax maintenance, QA testing, and documentation. Hyrax has a roadmap that is maintained and reviewed alongside the Hyku roadmap every month.

Technical Attributes

Maintenance Status

Actively Maintained

Open Code Repository

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Technical Documentation

Implemented
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Code License

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Open API

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Open Product Roadmap

Implemented
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Technical Attribute Statements

Programming Languages

  • ruby

Technology Readiness Level

  • Actual system proven in operational environment

Code Licenses Used

  • Apache License, Version 2.0

Content Licensing

  • Creative commons licenses
  • Rightsstatement.org licenses
  • Traditional copyright

Standards

Metadata

  • IIIF
  • OAI-PMH
  • Signposting
Other:
Portland Common Data Model

Persistent Identifier

  • ORCiD

Hosting Options

  • Through third party vendor only

Service Providers

https://samvera.org/the-community/service-providers

Integrations

  • Fedora
  • Hyku
  • IIIF

Community Engagement

Code of Conduct

Implemented
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Community Engagement

Implemented
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Community Statements

User Contribution Pathways

  • Contribute funds
  • Contribute to code
  • Contribute to documentation
  • Contribute to education or training
  • Contribute to governance
  • Contribute to user research or user testing
  • Contribute to working groups or interest groups

Community Engagement Activities

  • Annual meetings
  • Blogs
  • Community calls
  • Conference participation
  • Development sprints
  • Interest, working, user, or advisory groups
  • Mailing lists and discussion forums (including Slack)
  • Staff roles with responsibility for community engagement
  • Webinars and training

Engagement with Values Frameworks

  • It Takes a Village Open Source Software Sustainability toolkit

Policies & Governance

Governance Summary

Hyrax is a project of the Samvera Community. Samvera operates as a distinct series entity hosted by the OASIS Open Development Foundation, LLC, under the Charter and Series Agreement.

Policies

Bylaws

Implemented
Website (Opens in new window)

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

In Progress

Privacy Policy

In Progress

Web Accessibility Statement

In Progress

Governance Records

Implemented
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Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented
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Policy Statements

Board Structure

  • Advisory board or steering committee

Board Level

  • Provider

Community Governance

  • Formal

Additional Information

Organizational History

Hyrax was originally created as part of Project Hydra, now known as the Samvera Community. Hyrax was created from earlier OSS repository components including Sufia and Curation Concerns.

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Fiscal sponsorship (non-profit)

Full-time Staff

1-5

Volunteers

1-5

Current Affiliations

No affiliations

Funding

Primary Funding Source

  • Contributions

Funding Needs

Institutions, organizations, funders, and consortia can help advance Hyrax via one-time or ongoing donations; in-kind development of Hyrax features from the roadmap; by becoming a Samvera Partner and paying annual dues in support of the community; through grant-funded activities; and by pledging funds or development time to contribute to Hyrax community maintenance or feature development sprints.
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