# Extension:UnlinkedWikibase

> MediaWiki extension for accessing Wikibase entities from wikis that are not linked to a Wikibase site

**Wikidata**: [Q120629548](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120629548)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/extension-unlinkedwikibase

## Summary
Extension:UnlinkedWikibase is a free software extension for MediaWiki that enables wikis to access and retrieve data from Wikibase entities without requiring a formal connection to a specific Wikibase site. Developed by Sam Wilson of the Wikimedia Foundation, it functions as a bridge for data retrieval on independent wiki installations. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Sam Wilson (Software Engineer, Community Tech team, Wikimedia Foundation).
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.
- **Instance of:** MediaWiki extension, Free software.
- **Primary Function:** Accessing Wikibase entities from wikis that are not linked to a Wikibase site.
- **Source Code Repository:** Hosted on Wikimedia Gerrit (`gerrit.wikimedia.org`).
- **Issue Tracker:** Managed via Wikimedia Phabricator (tag: `mediawiki-extensions-unlinkedwikibase`).
- **Wikibase World ID:** Monaco.
- **Official Website:** `mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:UnlinkedWikibase`

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of Extension:UnlinkedWikibase?
A: The extension allows a MediaWiki wiki to access and display data from a Wikibase repository (such as Wikidata) even if the wiki has not been registered or linked as a client on that remote Wikibase site.

### Q: Who created and maintains Extension:UnlinkedWikibase?
A: The extension was created by Sam Wilson, a software engineer who works on the Community Tech team at the Wikimedia Foundation.

### Q: Where can I find the source code and report bugs?
A: The source code is available on Wikimedia's Gerrit server, while bug reports and feature requests are tracked on Wikimedia Phabricator under the specific project tag.

## Why It Matters
Extension:UnlinkedWikibase plays a specific technical role in the MediaWiki ecosystem by lowering the barrier to entry for utilizing structured data. In a standard configuration, a wiki must be explicitly "linked" or federated with a Wikibase instance to query its data, a process that often requires administrative coordination and specific server configurations. This extension removes that dependency, allowing independent wiki operators to leverage the power of Wikibase data without needing to establish a formal reciprocal connection.

This capability is significant for the democratization of linked open data. It empowers smaller communities, third-party wikis, and individual developers to build sophisticated semantic applications using existing Wikibase content without complex setup. By decoupling the wiki from the repository, Sam Wilson’s tool fosters a more flexible environment where data can flow more freely across the web, extending the utility of Wikibase beyond the tightly integrated Wikimedia ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Decoupled Access:** Uniquely enables Wikibase data retrieval without the need for a linked configuration (`wgWikibaseRepoSiteLinkGroups`).
- **WMF Development:** Developed officially by a Wikimedia Foundation software engineer, ensuring compatibility and support within the ecosystem.
- **Open Licensing:** Distributed under the GNU General Public License v2.0+, guaranteeing user freedoms to study, modify, and distribute the software.
- **Integration Simplicity:** Solves a specific architectural gap for MediaWiki users who need read-only access to Wikibase entities.

## Body
### Technical Functionality
Extension:UnlinkedWikibase is designed to bridge the gap between a MediaWiki installation and a remote Wikibase repository. Unlike the standard Wikibase Client extension, which typically requires a wiki to be registered as a "client" in the repository's configuration (site matrix) to function correctly, UnlinkedWikibase operates without this pre-requisite. This allows users to query entities and access data from Wikibase installations where they do not have administrative control to add their wiki as a linked site.

### Development and Attribution
The extension is attributed to **Sam Wilson**, a software engineer serving on the **Community Tech team** at the **Wikimedia Foundation**. It is classified as both a **MediaWiki extension** and **free software**, adhering to the open-source philosophy of the MediaWiki platform.

### Repository and Tracking
The project is fully integrated into the Wikimedia development infrastructure:
- **Source Code:** The codebase is maintained in a Git repository hosted at `gerrit.wikimedia.org/g/mediawiki/extensions/UnlinkedWikibase`.
- **Bug Tracking:** Issues are tracked on Phabricator, available at `phabricator.wikimedia.org/tag/mediawiki-extensions-unlinkedwikibase/`.
- **Documentation:** Official documentation and details are hosted on MediaWiki.org. The extension is also indexed in the Wikibase World directory with the ID "Monaco".

## References

1. MediaWiki.org
2. Wikibase World