Application Review Process

A key goal in the Ubuntu community is to deliver secure and reliable software to our users. As part of this goal we have developed a process designed for application authors in which you can request an application to be reviewed by our community Application Review Board. The board will review the application, and if it meets our quality expectations, the application will appear in the Ubuntu Software Center.

How It Works

The process works like this (each of these is explained in detail below):

1. Prepare Your App - package your application ready for assessment.
2. Submit For Review - send your application to the board for review.
3. Await Feedback - the Application Review Board will provide feedback and conclusions on the review.

What Apps Are Eligible

• Only new applications that are not present in an existing official Ubuntu repository (such as main/universe) are eligible in this process (e.g a new version of an application in an existing official repository is not eligible).

• The process only applies to a specific version of an application (e.g. MyNewApplication 1.0 or MyNewApplication 1.2).

• No other software can depend on the application being submitted (e.g. development libraries are not eligible).
• Only executable applications (and content that is part of them) are eligible, and not stand-alone content, documentation or media.
• Applications must be Open Source and available under an OSI approved license.

As part of this process, there are the following terms and conditions:

• When an application is approved as part of this process, Ubuntu developers reserve the right to make changes or improvements to a package when it is uploaded to the archive.
• Security bugs and problems are expected to be resolved by the application author, but the ARB and Ubuntu Developers reserve the right to change or remove a package if there are sufficient security concerns.

How To Submit An App For Review

Step 1: Prepare Your App

In this stage you should package your application and upload it to your Personal Package Archive. See this page for help on how to create a package and this page for how to upload to a PPA. If your application is written with Quickly, run quickly tutorial for details of how to release to your PPA with a single command.

When packaging please follow these guidelines:

• The application and its files should be packaged under /opt.

• Make sure your package doesn't use root privileges (by sudo, gksu, pkexec, suid/sgid, etc.) or custom maintainer scripts (maintainer scripts that are automatically generated by debhelper and similar tools are fine).
• You should test your application against the Application Review Board's checklist identified below:
  • The application is well packaged using the Debian packaging system
  • All correct dependencies are met
  • Application installs cleanly
  • Application be removed cleanly
  • Includes suitable Copyright and licensing content
  • Application integrates into the Applications menu
  • Application runs correctly
  • Major features operate as expected
  • Does not perform any malicious actions
  • Content is suitable under the terms of the Ubuntu Code Of Conduct

At the end of this process you should have your application packaged and available in your PPA.

Step 2: Submit For Review

You should now file your application for your application to be reviewed. To do this, follow these instructions:

1. Go to this page.

2. In the Summary enter: Application Review Request: <Your App> <Version> (e.g. Application Review Request: PyJunior 1.0). Click the Next button.

3. In the Further Information box, add the template below with all information filled in:

Application Review For <application name> <version>

== About You ==

 * NAME: 
 * EMAIL ADDRESS: 

The Application:

 * APPLICATION NAME:
 * LICENSE:
 * PPA URL:
 * SUPPORT RESOURCE (URL to forum / mailing list etc)
 * KNOWN ISSUES:
  * Issue.
  * Issue.

Step 3: Await Feedback

When you have filed your application the Application Review Board will assess the application and provide feedback as comments in on the same page. When the majority of the Application Review Board have approved the application, it will be imported into the Ubuntu Software Center.

You should be sure to click the 'Subscribe' link in the right of the page to ensure that you get emailed with updates and feedback from the Application Review Board.