# CINC > Free-as-in-Beer distribution of the open source software of Chef Software Inc **Wikidata**: [Q131696324](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131696324) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cinc ## Summary CINC is a "Free-as-in-Beer" distribution of the open source software originally developed by Chef Software Inc. It provides stable, freely available releases of Chef's infrastructure automation tools, including separate client and server software versions with specific release dates as of early 2025. ## Key Facts - CINC is a distribution of the open source software from Chef Software Inc. - It is explicitly described as "Free-as-in-Beer." - The stable client version is 18.6.2, released on 2025-01-02. - The stable server version is 15.10.12, released on 2024-09-30. - The official website is https://cinc.sh/, with a reference date of 2025-01-07. - The source code repository is located at https://gitlab.com/cinc-project. - CINC is classified as an instance of free software. - Metadata for versions, website, and repository is referenced as of 2025-01-07. ## FAQs **What is CINC?** CINC is a distribution that repackages the open source software created by Chef Software Inc, making it available under a "Free-as-in-Beer" model. This means users can obtain and use the software at no cost, with the same rights as the original open source project. **How is CINC related to Chef Software Inc?** CINC is a downstream distribution of the open source software projects maintained by Chef Software Inc. It does not represent Chef's commercial offerings but provides freely accessible builds of their open source tools. **Is CINC considered free software?** Yes, CINC is explicitly classified as an instance of free software. This indicates its distribution complies with the definition that grants users the freedoms to run, study, change, and distribute the software. **What specific software components does CINC distribute?** CINC provides stable releases for two primary components: the client software (version 18.6.2) and the server software (version 15.10.12). These are separate, versioned products with independent release schedules. **Where can I download or access CINC's source code?** Official downloads and information are available at the project website, https://cinc.sh/. The complete source code is hosted in a public repository at https://gitlab.com/cinc-project. **When were the most recent stable versions of CINC released?** The latest stable client version (18.6.2) was released on January 2, 2025. The latest stable server version (15.10.12) was released on September 30, 2024. ## Why It Matters CINC matters because it ensures continued, unimpeded access to critical infrastructure automation tools originally from Chef Software Inc. By distributing these as "Free-as-in-Beer" and free software, it removes cost barriers for individuals, organizations, and communities that rely on configuration management and automation. This distribution model supports the broader open source ecosystem by preserving the availability and modifiability of the software, allowing users to integrate, adapt, and share it without licensing restrictions. It serves as a key resource for maintaining operational continuity for projects that depend on Chef's open source stack, particularly in environments where commercial support or licensing from Chef Software Inc may not be feasible. ## Notable For - Being the designated "Free-as-in-Beer" distribution channel for Chef Software Inc's open source projects. - Maintaining distinct, semantically versioned release tracks for client (18.x) and server (15.x) software. - Providing a dedicated, community-focused website (cinc.sh) separate from Chef's commercial domains. - Hosting its canonical source code repository on GitLab, ensuring transparent collaboration. - Upholding the principles of free software for a major infrastructure automation suite. - Offering stable releases with specific, documented publication dates as of 2024 and 2025. ## Body ### Definition and Core Identity CINC is defined as a distribution of the open source software originally developed by Chef Software Inc. Its defining characteristic is the "Free-as-in-Beer" model, meaning it is provided at no monetary cost to end-users. It is formally classified as an instance of free software, aligning its distribution with the "four freedoms" to run, study, change, and distribute the software. The project's identity is separate from Chef Software Inc's commercial products, serving as a free conduit for the open source components. ### Versioned Releases and Publication CINC maintains two primary, independently versioned product lines: - **Client Software**: The stable release is version **18.6.2**, published on **2025-01-02**. This version is referenced with qualifiers indicating its status as a stable client release. - **Server Software**: The stable release is version **15.10.12**, published on **2024-09-30**. This version is referenced as a stable server software release. All version metadata and associated references are dated **2025-01-07**, indicating the last verification or update of this structured data. ### Distribution Channels and Infrastructure - **Official Website**: The primary distribution and information portal is **https://cinc.sh/**. This domain serves as the authoritative source for downloads, documentation, and project announcements. - **Source Code Repository**: The project's source code is publicly hosted on **GitLab** at **https://gitlab.com/cinc-project**. This repository is the central hub for development, issue tracking, and community contributions. The repository is linked to specific project identifiers in the source metadata. ### Licensing and Legal Classification CINC is explicitly categorized as **free software**. This classification is based on its distribution terms, which grant users the essential freedoms associated with free software. It is not merely "open source" in a marketing sense but adheres to a definition that prioritizes user liberty. The "Free-as-in-Beer" descriptor emphasizes the absence of a purchase price, which is a necessary but not sufficient condition for it to be considered free software in the philosophical sense; the source data confirms its status as an *instance* of the free software category. ### Relationship to Chef Software Inc CINC exists as a **distribution** of the **open source software** created by **Chef Software Inc**. This establishes a clear lineage: Chef Software Inc develops the original open source projects (such as Chef Infra Client and Chef Infra Server), and CINC repackages and redistributes them. This relationship means CINC does not develop new core features but focuses on building, packaging, and distributing the upstream open source code from Chef. It provides an alternative access point to these tools, independent of Chef's commercial licensing and support models. ### Data Provenance and Maintenance The structured facts about CINC—including version numbers, release dates, URLs, and its classification—are drawn from a dataset with a reference timestamp of **2025-01-07**. This indicates that as of that date, the information regarding CINC's stable releases, website, and source repository was current and verified. The project's maintenance is evidenced by the publication of stable releases in late 2024 and early 2025. ## References 1. [Source](https://downloads.cinc.sh/files/stable/cinc/) 2. [Source](https://downloads.cinc.sh/files/stable/cinc-server/)