Where to find dependable open-source tools in 2026

Scrolling endless launches is tiring; curated feeds keep you in the loop without the noise. Here are sources I trust when hunting for the next tool to adopt.

• GitHub topic saves: follow topic:cli language:Go or topic:terraform-provider searches and let notifications bring new repos to you.
• Awesome lists with active maintainers: look for weekly commits and a clear archive section so abandoned tools do not clutter your shortlist.
• Picks from Changelogs: release notes in CHANGELOG.md often reveal maturity - no cadence, no adoption.
• Reddit r/selfhosted and r/devops: the comment threads expose rough edges faster than marketing sites.
• Product Hunt’s Open Source filter: good for spotting early projects, but only star the ones with tests and a CONTRIBUTING guide.

Quick filter: if the README has a roadmap and examples you can run in 60 seconds, it is worth a trial spin.

Keep a tools.md log in your repo with what you tried, how it went, and whether to revisit later.