Popcorn Nantes is an open-source, zero-commission directory and community platform that helps freelance developers in Nantes, France, find clients and projects without an intermediary.
What is Popcorn Nantes?
Popcorn Nantes is a non-profit association's static website, generated by a Node.js script from Markdown files, that lists profiles of freelance developers in the Nantes region. It takes member profiles as Markdown files in the content/persons folder and photos (maximum 100 KB) in /static/media/photos, and produces a static HTML site in the _site directory. The repository is hosted on GitHub, lists Nuxt among its topics, and is maintained by its 13 contributors, all freelance developers themselves.
Key Features
- Zero commission — Popcorn is an association à but non-lucratif and takes no fees; clients contact freelancers directly.
- Open source — The codebase is fully on GitHub, so members control search results, profile order, and displayed information.
- Private chat — A private chat accessible after registration on the showcase site for exchanging job leads and helping each other.
- GitHub-based profile creation — To join, fork the repo, add a Markdown profile, add a photo under 100 KB, and open a pull request titled
Nouveau profil : your first name. - Static, zero-maintenance hosting — No server or database means the site runs for free on GitHub and can handle traffic spikes.
- Automatic deployment — GitHub Actions deploys the site on every merge to
master, so changes appear in production in a few minutes. - Quarterly meetups — An apéro is organized each quarter via Slack for networking, beers, and job-lead exchanges.
- Fast search and loading — The project aims for a super-fast search engine and quick page display, as stated in its technical philosophy.
Who is it for?
- Freelance developers in Nantes — Create a profile, get visible in search results, and access the private chat to find missions.
- Clients in the Nantes region — Find and contact freelance developers directly, bypassing commission-based intermediaries.
- Contributors and communities — Fork the starter repo to create their own zero-cost directory, as the project explicitly invites.
What can you do with Popcorn Nantes?
- Publish a profile: Add your Markdown file and photo, open a pull request, and you receive an invitation to the private chat once merged.
- Find local freelancers: Browse developer profiles and contact them directly, with no platform role in the follow-up.
- Network with peers: Attend quarterly apéros and use the private chat to share work leads and common problem-solving.
- Build a similar directory: Fork the repository and adapt it for another city or community, keeping zero hosting costs.
How does Popcorn Nantes work?
The workflow is entirely GitHub-based: fork the repository, add your profile file in content/persons following the _exemple.md template, and place your photo in /static/media/photos. Then open a pull request with the title Nouveau profil : your first name; once merged, your profile appears on the site and you receive an email invitation to the private chat.
Alternatives
Malt and Comet are centralized freelance marketplaces that charge commissions and act as intermediaries. Popcorn differs by being a non-profit association, free of commission, reserved for developers in the Nantes region, and developed by its own members.
FAQ
Is Popcorn really free?
Yes. Popcorn is an association à but non-lucratif and takes no commission or fees. The site is hosted on GitHub, so hosting costs are zero, and the project runs without any financial charge to its members.
How do I create my profile on Popcorn?
Fork the repository, add a Markdown file in content/persons (using _exemple.md as a template), add a photo of maximum 100 KB in /static/media/photos, and open a pull request titled Nouveau profil : your first name. Once merged, you get an email invitation to the private chat.
Is Popcorn open source?
Yes, the entire codebase is public on GitHub. It follows the all-contributors specification and is maintained by 13 contributors who are freelance developers themselves.
What is the difference between Popcorn and Malt or Comet?
Popcorn is a non-profit association with no commission, restricted to the Nantes region, and maintained by freelancers. It does not act as an intermediary — clients contact freelancers directly — whereas Malt and Comet are centralized marketplaces that take a commission.
How fast do changes go live?
Deployment is triggered automatically by GitHub Actions on every merge to the master branch. The README states that changes may take a few minutes to become visible in production.
