ADR-057: Project Rename to "idempiere-hub"

Status: ACCEPTED

Date: 2025-12-15

Supersedes:


Context and Problem Statement

The project name "idempiere-cli" no longer accurately reflects the system's architecture, purpose, or vision:

Current Mismatch

Name implies: CLI-focused tool Reality:

Codebase Distribution:
├─ 74% Shared Intelligence Infrastructure
├─ 19% CLI Interface
├─ 4%  Chat API Interface
└─ 3%  MCP Interface

Evolution Timeline

  1. 2023-2024: Started as CLI for iDempiere plugin development
  2. 2024 Q4: Added MCP server for IDE integration
  3. 2024 Q4: Added Chat API for iDempiere UI integration
  4. 2025 Q1: Evolved to hub architecture (ADR-048)
  5. 2025 Q1: Vision expanded to central service for consultants

Vision: Central Intelligence Service

What we're building:

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              iDempiere Hub (Central Service)                  │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                               │
│  Core Value:                                                  │
│  • Build software from specifications automatically          │
│  • Automate support responses for consultants                │
│  • Generate documentation automatically                       │
│  • Consultant efficiency multiplier                           │
│  • Shared intelligence across all users                       │
│                                                               │
│  Infrastructure (74% of codebase):                            │
│  • 40+ specialized tools                                      │
│  • RAG knowledge base (Wiki + KB + AD metadata)              │
│  • Multi-LLM support (Ollama, Claude, GPT, Bedrock)          │
│  • Guardrails & security                                      │
│  • Observability & cost tracking                              │
│                                                               │
│  Interfaces (26% of codebase):                                │
│  • CLI (19%) - Terminal interface                            │
│  • Chat API (4%) - REST API for iDempiere UI                 │
│  • MCP (3%) - IDE integration                                │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
              ▲              ▲              ▲
              │              │              │
        Consultant A   Consultant B   Agency Team

Problem Statement

Questions to answer:

  1. How do we name a system that's 74% infrastructure, 26% interfaces?
  2. How do we convey "central service for consultants"?
  3. How do we reflect the hub architecture (ADR-048)?
  4. How do we avoid tying identity to specific interface (CLI, API, etc.)?

Decision Drivers

Must Have

Nice to Have

Avoid


Options Considered

Final Round (14 options evaluated)

Name Architecture Fit Clarity Simplicity Service Model Score
hub ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ 12/12
agent ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅ 11/12
cloud ✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅✅ 10/12
engine ✅✅ ✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅ 9/12
automation ✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅✅ ✅✅ 9/12
studio ✅✅ ✅✅ ✅✅ ✅✅ 8/12
devkit ✅ ✅✅ ✅✅✅ ✅ 7/12
toolkit ✅ ✅✅ ✅✅ ✅ 6/12

Why "hub" Won

Scoring Evolution:

Decision Factors:

  1. Perfect Architectural Match

    Hub & Spoke Model:
    
             ┌─────────────┐
             │   Hub       │
             │  (Central)  │
             └──┬───┬───┬──┘
                │   │   │
             ┌──┘   │   └──┐
             │      │      │
          Spoke  Spoke  Spoke
          (User A) (User B) (Agency)
    
  2. Industry Precedent

    • Docker Hub: Central registry for container images
    • TensorFlow Hub: Central repository for ML models
    • GitHub Hub: Central platform for code collaboration
    • Azure IoT Hub: Central message broker
  3. Central Service Clarity

    • "Hub" immediately conveys central/shared service
    • Multiple consultants connecting to one hub
    • Shared intelligence across all users
  4. Flexibility

    • Works for SaaS deployment
    • Works for self-hosted (enterprise)
    • Works for local development
    • Not tied to deployment model
  5. Simple & Memorable

    • 3 letters
    • Universal understanding
    • Easy to remember and type
  6. Not Interface-Specific

    • "Hub" describes architecture, not interface
    • Supports CLI, MCP, API, and future interfaces
    • Doesn't become outdated as interfaces evolve

Decision

Rename project to: idempiere-hub

Tagline: > "Central intelligence hub for iDempiere"

Positioning: > "iDempiere Hub is a central intelligence service that helps consultants build iDempiere solutions faster. Connect to the hub, describe what you want to build, and let AI generate code, support docs, and automate repetitive tasks."


Consequences

Positive

  1. ✅ Accurate Identity

    • Name matches reality (hub architecture)
    • Conveys central service model
    • Not misleading
  2. ✅ Future-Proof

    • Not tied to specific interface
    • Scalable (SaaS, self-hosted, enterprise)
    • Room for new features/interfaces
  3. ✅ Professional

    • Industry standard pattern
    • Enterprise-appropriate
    • Technical without jargon
  4. ✅ Memorable

    • Short (3 letters)
    • Easy to remember
    • Universal understanding
  5. ✅ Marketing Value

    • Clear value proposition
    • Consultant audience clear
    • Central service benefits obvious

Negative

  1. ⚠️ Migration Effort

    • Repository rename
    • Package refactoring (org.idempiere.cli.* → org.idempiere.hub.*)
    • Documentation updates
    • User communication
    • Estimated: 2-3 weeks
  2. ⚠️ Breaking Changes

    • Maven artifact ID change
    • Package names change (major version)
    • MCP server name change in Claude Desktop config
    • Users must update configurations
  3. ⚠️ Brand Recognition Loss

    • Existing "idempiere-cli" users need education
    • GitHub stars/forks stay with old repo (redirect needed)
    • Search engine rankings reset

Risks and Mitigation

Risk Impact Mitigation
User confusion Medium Clear communication, migration guide, redirect
Broken dependencies High Deprecation period, backward compatibility
Lost discoverability Low GitHub redirect, SEO optimization
Community resistance Low Explain rationale, community feedback period

Implementation Plan

Phase 1: Non-Breaking Rename (v2.0.0) - 1 week

Changes:

Deliverables:

v2.0.0 Release:
├─ New repository: github.com/cloudempiere/idempiere-hub
├─ Old repository: Redirects to new
├─ Binary: idempiere-hub.jar
├─ Packages: org.idempiere.cli.* (unchanged)
├─ Maven: com.cloudempiere:idempiere-hub:2.0.0
└─ Docs: All updated to "idempiere-hub"

Migration Guide for Users:

# Old
git clone github.com/cloudempiere/idempiere-hub
java -jar idempiere-hub-runner.jar

# New (v2.0.0)
git clone github.com/cloudempiere/idempiere-hub
java -jar idempiere-hub.jar

# Functionality identical, just renamed

Phase 2: Package Refactoring (v3.0.0) - 2 weeks

Changes:

Migration for Developers:

<!-- Old (v2.x) -->
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.cloudempiere</groupId>
    <artifactId>idempiere-cli</artifactId>
    <version>1.68.0</version>
</dependency>

<!-- New (v3.x) -->
<dependency>
    <groupId>com.cloudempiere</groupId>
    <artifactId>idempiere-hub</artifactId>
    <version>3.0.0</version>
</dependency>

Phase 3: Service Platform Features (v3.5.0+) - Ongoing

New Features:

# Hub authentication
idempiere-hub login --email user@example.com

# Build from specifications
idempiere-hub build --spec order-automation.yaml

# Automated support
idempiere-hub support ask "how to create callout?"

# Documentation generation
idempiere-hub docs generate --module my-plugin

# Knowledge sharing
idempiere-hub knowledge contribute --from solved-issues/

Migration Checklist

Repository & GitHub

Code Changes (v2.0.0)

Documentation

Configuration Files

User Communication

Marketing Materials


Positioning & Messaging

Elevator Pitch (30 seconds)

> "iDempiere Hub is a central intelligence service for iDempiere consultants. Connect to the hub, describe what you need—whether it's building a custom workflow, automating support, or generating documentation—and let AI handle it. Shared intelligence across all consultants means everyone gets smarter together."

Key Messages

  1. Central Service

    • "One hub, many consultants"
    • "Shared intelligence, multiplied efficiency"
    • "Connect once, access everywhere (CLI, IDE, browser)"
  2. Automation Value

    • "Build software from specifications"
    • "Automate repetitive consulting tasks"
    • "Generate docs automatically"
  3. Intelligence

    • "40+ specialized AI tools"
    • "RAG-powered knowledge base"
    • "Learns from every consultant's work"

Comparison Table

Old Identity New Identity
idempiere-cli idempiere-hub
CLI tool for developers Central intelligence service
Local execution Hub + spoke model
Single user Multi-tenant, collaborative
Tool collection Intelligence platform
100% CLI CLI + MCP + API

Timeline

Phase Duration Target Date Deliverable
Phase 1 1 week 2025-12-22 v2.0.0 with new name
Phase 2 2 weeks 2026-01-05 v3.0.0 with new packages
Phase 3 Ongoing 2026 Q1+ Service platform features


References

Industry Examples

Internal Documents


Approval

Decision Made By: Project Lead Date: 2025-12-15 Status: ACCEPTED

Next Actions:

  1. Create GitHub issue for v2.0.0 rename
  2. Assign implementation tasks
  3. Set target date: 2025-12-22
  4. Begin Phase 1 implementation

ADR-057 | Version 1.0 | 2025-12-15 Status: ACCEPTED Next: Phase 1 Implementation (v2.0.0 Rename)

Path: /docs/developers/architecture/idempiere-hub/057-project-rename-to-idempiere-hub