How the Community Saved Magento: A Tale of Resilience and Revival

When Adobe acquired Magento in 2018 , many thought it was the end of an era. Some doomsayers said they would kill Magento. A few said it would not change (Including Adobe).

This is the story of how a group of developers, businesses, and enthusiasts refused to let Magento fade into obscurity. It's a tale of resilience, innovation, and the unbreakable spirit of the Magento community.

The Magento ecosystem faced its darkest hour when Adobe shifted focus away from the platform that had revolutionized e-commerce. But in the face of corporate neglect, the community didn't just survive—it thrived. I will explore how key players like Hyv? Mage-OS and countless dedicated individuals breathed new life into Magento, ensuring its relevance and vitality in an ever-changing digital landscape.

The Purchase of Magento by Adobe

When Adobe announced its acquisition of Magento in 2018 , the e-commerce world buzzed with excitement. Adobe, a giant in the digital experience realm, seemed like the perfect adoptive parent for the thriving open-source platform. The community's hopes were high, dreaming of the innovations that would surely follow.

Adobe pointed to AEM as an Open Source success (Apache Sling ). A group of us got invited to the Adobe Summit as #AdobeInsiders . We were all very excited about Magento Commerce and what was to come. We had a grand dream of a bigger group of people who would join the community.

But dreams, as we know, don't always align with reality. As months turned into years, it became clear that Adobe's vision for Magento needed to mesh better with the community's expectations. The focus shifted towards upmarket solutions, leaving the core of what made Magento great—its vibrant, creative, and hands-on community—feeling increasingly sidelined.

The Death of Imagine

The final curtain call for Magento Imagine in 2019 marked the end of an era, though we didn't know it at the time. Our company proudly sponsored and attended, joining thousands of Magento enthusiasts in what would be the last hurrah of this beloved conference.

The energy was electric, the halls buzzing with conversations about the Future of e-commerce and the potential of the Adobe acquisition. Perhaps the most poignant moment was the BigDamRun, a community tradition that saw nearly 300 of us pounding the Las Vegas pavement at dawn. (We even made the local paper)

As we crossed the finish line , none of us could have guessed that this would be the last time we'd gather for a run in the desert.

The death of Magento Imagine wasn't just the loss of a conference; it was the fading of a community touchstone, a yearly journey to Las Vegas that had defined the Magento calendar since 2010. Its absence in the following years left a void that no virtual event could fill, a stark reminder of how much had changed in the Magento ecosystem. We wouldn't have another Magento Imagine type event until Meet Magento Florida!

Cultural and Intellectual Decline

Adobe's strategy centered on integrating Magento into its broader suite of enterprise-level products. While this made sense from a corporate standpoint, it left a void in the ecosystem that had flourished around Magento's open-source roots. The platform that once prided itself on being the go-to solution for businesses of all sizes now seemed to be drifting away from its community-driven origins .

The neglect wasn't just felt—it was visible. Innovation slowed, community events dwindled, and the once-bustling forums grew quieter. (Magento Stack Exchange even slowed!) The Magento that developers and merchants had come to love was changing, and not necessarily for the better.

COVID and Community Isolation

As if the challenges posed by Adobe's shifting priorities weren't enough, the world threw another curveball: COVID-19. The pandemic that reshaped our world didn't spare the tech community, and Magento felt the impact acutely.

The last echoes of normalcy in the Magento world reverberated through the halls of Meet Magento India in early 2020. I was there, taking selfies with fellow developers and merchants, our conversations buzzing with the usual mix of technical challenges and e-commerce trends. But there was an undercurrent of unease, a whisper of something ominous on the horizon.

Rumors of a mysterious virus in China floated through the conference, largely dismissed as a far-off concern. Little did we know that this would be the last time many of us would gather in person for years to come. As we said our goodbyes, promising to meet again soon at the next Magento event, none of us could have imagined the seismic shift that would rock our community and the world.

Geographical Isolation

The lifeblood of the Magento community had always been its in-person events. From local meetups to international conferences, these gatherings were where ideas sparked, collaborations formed, and the next big innovations in e-commerce were born. But as lockdowns swept across the globe, these vital touchpoints vanished overnight.

Zoom calls and virtual conferences tried to fill the gap, but let's face it—nothing quite replaces the energy of a room full of passionate developers and merchants. The isolation took its toll, and the pace of innovation, already slowed by Adobe's corporate inertia, ground nearly to a halt.

Adobe's Neglect

As the community grappled with this new, isolated reality, Adobe's attention seemed to wander further from the core Magento platform. The much-hyped PWA Studio, once touted as the Future of Magento's frontend, languished in development hell. The LUMA theme, the face of countless Magento stores, began to show its age without significant updates. This moved to NO updates, leaving every Magento store without a modern theme option.

This vacuum in leadership and innovation left the Magento ecosystem in a precarious position. But as history has shown time and again, the brightest ideas are often born in the darkest moments.

The Core Community's Resilience

Despite the challenges—or perhaps because of them—something remarkable began to happen. The core Magento community, those developers, merchants, and enthusiasts who had been with the platform through thick and thin, refused to let the Magento ecosystem fade away.

Cultural Flourishing

The Magento community's spirit proved unbreakable in online forums, chat rooms, and hastily organized virtual meetups. Discussions that once happened over coffee at conferences now played out in marathon Slack sessions and GitHub issues. The passion that had always defined the Magento community found new outlets, proving that innovation doesn't require a corporate mandate—just a group of dedicated individuals with a shared vision.

The Role of Developers

At the heart of this resilience were the developers. These people had built their careers around Magento and saw the platform as a tool and a canvas for their creativity. They weren't about to let their skills become obsolete or their favorite platform fades into irrelevance.

Nights and weekends that might have once been spent relaxing were now dedicated to side projects, experiments, and grassroots initiatives to keep Magento not just alive but evolving. It was a testament to the power of open-source communities—when the corporate world steps back, the true believers step up.

The Birth of Mage-OS

The birth of Mage-OS was heralded by a powerful open letter to the Magento community, published on September 17, 2021 . This letter, a true manifesto of community determination, laid out the vision for a community-driven fork of Magento Open Source.

It began with a clear statement of intent:

"With this open announcement we are letting you know that there will be a community organization driven fork of Magento. The purpose is to secure Magento's long term viability for all the businesses depending on it."

The letter articulated the community's concerns about Adobe's direction, particularly the move towards cloud-based microservices and the uncertain Future of the Magento Open Source platform. It emphasized the community's belief in the continued validity of the monolithic approach for many use cases.

Most importantly, it declared the community's resolve to maintain and evolve a fork that would carry Magento into the Future, promising upstream compatibility with Magento Open Source and a focus on merchants of all sizes.

This watershed moment garnered overwhelming support, with 1,641 companies and individuals signing the letter, signaling that the community was ready and willing to chart its course for Magento's Future.

Scriptoria

The creation of Mage-OS marked a pivotal moment in Magento's history. It was more than just a technical fork; it was a philosophical departure from relying solely on Adobe's direction. The community was reclaiming its voice and its power to shape the Future of the platform.

Just as medieval scriptoria preserved and reproduced important texts, Mage-OS became a vessel for preserving the essence of what made Magento great. It was a bold move, fraught with challenges, but it ignited a new sense of purpose within the community.

Key Players and Innovations

While Mage-OS was taking shape, other innovators within the community were hard at work addressing Magento's most pressing issues.

Hyv? and Others

Among the standout efforts was Hyv? , a revolutionary approach to Magento's frontend development. Spearheaded by Willem Wigman and Vinai Kopp, Hyv? promised to deliver what PWA Studio had only dreamed of—a fast, efficient, and developer-friendly way to build Magento storefronts.

Hyv? wasn't alone. Across the community, developers were stepping up with solutions to long-standing pain points. From performance optimization tools to streamlined checkout experiences, these grassroots innovations breathed new life into the platform.

Innovation and Speed

The impact of these community-driven initiatives was immediate and profound. Suddenly, Magento sites were loading faster. (However, the percentage is still small!) Developers were working more efficiently, and merchants saw real improvements in their bottom lines. It was a reminder of what had made the Magento community special in the first place—the ability to innovate rapidly and share those innovations freely.

These developments improved Magento technically and reinvigorated the community's spirit. There was a palpable sense that Magento wasn't just surviving—it was evolving into something new and exciting, driven by the very people who used it every day.

Preservation and Growth

As these community initiatives gained momentum, they began to shape Magento's Future in ways that extended far beyond mere technical improvements.

Preservation of Classical Texts

The Mage-OS fork served a crucial role in preserving Magento's core essence. By mirroring and extending the original Magento codebase, it ensured that the platform's fundamental strengths—its flexibility, its robust feature set, its open-source nature—wouldn't be lost to time or corporate priorities.

This preservation wasn't just about maintaining code; it was about keeping alive the philosophy that had made Magento great. The idea that e-commerce should be open, flexible, and community-driven found a new home in Mage-OS and similar initiatives.

Adobe's Response

The surge of community activity didn't go unnoticed at Adobe, and their response was more dynamic than many had anticipated. The turning point came at Meet Magento NYC , where Adobe arrived with a palpable new energy and a clear message: they were listening to the community.

This wasn't just lip service. Adobe engaged in frank discussions, acknowledging past missteps and outlining plans for a more collaborative future. They showcased a renewed commitment to Magento Open Source, promising increased resources and support. Adobe's revitalization of the Magento Association signaled a significant shift in its approach.

It was as if the community's passionate efforts had jolted Adobe awake to the true value of Magento's grassroots. Whether motivated by the potential loss of developer mindshare or a genuine recommitment to the community, Adobe's presence at Meet Magento NYC marked the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship with the Magento ecosystem.

This renewed engagement brought cautious optimism to the community, hinting at a future where corporate backing and community innovation could once again work in harmony.

Creation of New Knowledge

As the community rallied, new resources and knowledge bases emerged, further strengthening the Magento ecosystem.

New Websites and Resources

Launching new websites for the Magento Association, Mage-OS, and Magento-Opensource.com brought fresh energy to the community. These platforms became hubs for sharing knowledge, discussing new developments, and coordinating community efforts.

These new resources weren't just repositories of information; they were symbols of the community's renewed vigor. They represented a commitment to keeping Magento knowledge accessible and up-to-date, ensuring that newcomers to the platform would have the support they needed to succeed.

Re-education of the Magento World

With new innovations, resources, and a reinvigorated community, the time came to spread the word. The Magento world needed to be reminded of what made the platform special in the first place.

Global Revitalization

Under new leadership, the Magento Association has taken on the task of reeducating the e-commerce world about Magento's strengths. Through webinars, online courses, and virtual events, they began to showcase the platform's evolution and the exciting developments emerging from the community.

This educational push wasn't just about technical knowledge but about reigniting passion for the platform. Merchants who had begun to look elsewhere for their e-commerce needs were shown that Magento was still relevant and evolving in exciting new ways.

Events and Energy: The Rise of Meet Magento Florida

The energy that had been building online finally found its physical manifestation in Meet Magento Florida . This event burst onto the scene, promising to rekindle the community spirit that had been sorely missed since the last Magento Imagine conference.

Meet Magento Florida quickly established itself as more than just another tech conference. With its vibrant atmosphere, top-tier speakers, and a palpable sense of community, it began to feel like the natural successor to Magento Imagine. The event united developers, merchants, and industry leaders, creating a melting pot of ideas and innovations.

What set Meet Magento Florida apart was its ability to capture the essence of what made Magento Imagine special—the perfect blend of technical depth, business insights, and community spirit. From hands-on coding sessions to strategic e-commerce discussions, the event offered something for everyone in the Magento ecosystem.

The question on everyone's lips became:

"Is Meet Magento Florida the next Magento Imagine?"

While it may be too soon to declare it officially, the sentiment among attendees was clear—it sure feels like it. The event has managed to fill the void left by Imagine, providing a new home for the Magento community to come together, share knowledge, and celebrate their shared passion.

The Magento community's calendar is already marked for February 2025, with the 3rd edition of Meet Magento Florida locked in. This early commitment speaks volumes about the event's success and the community's enthusiasm. It's not just another date on the calendar—it's a beacon of continuity and growth.

These gatherings have evolved into more than just conferences; they've become celebrations of resilience, showcasing a community that faced existential challenges and emerged stronger. The long-term planning and sustained excitement surrounding Meet Magento Florida fuel ongoing innovation and collaboration.

With each edition, the event reinforces the vitality of the Magento ecosystem, proving that the community's spirit isn't just alive—it's thriving and looking confidently towards the Future. The anticipation building for the 2025 event is a testament to the enduring power of face-to-face connections in our digital world and the unwavering passion of the Magento community.

The success of Meet Magento Florida has sparked a resurgence of in-person events across the globe. As we look to 2024 and beyond, the calendar is filling up with Magento-focused gatherings, each promising to bring its own flavor to the community revival. It's a testament to the enduring strength of the Magento ecosystem and a clear sign that the Future is bright for this resilient community.

Community's Impact

The revival of Magento wasn't the result of any single initiative or individual. It was the collective effort of thousands of developers and enthusiasts who refused to let Magento fade away. This grassroots movement demonstrated the true power of open-source communities—their ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive even in the face of corporate indifference.

The impact of these community efforts extended beyond just keeping Magento alive. They had transformed the platform, making it more agile, performant, and aligned with modern e-commerce needs. In many ways, the Magento that emerged from this challenging period was stronger than ever before.

The Legacy of Magento

Looking back on Magento's journey—from its early days as an innovative startup to its acquisition by eBay, its time under private equity, and finally, its place in the Adobe ecosystem—one thing becomes clear: the true strength of Magento has always been its community.

Enduring Strength

The Magento community has been the constant through each transition, each new corporate parent.

It's been the source of innovation, the keeper of knowledge, and the driving force behind the platform's evolution. This latest chapter in Magento's story—its revival in the face of neglect—is perhaps the most powerful testament to that enduring strength.

The Future is bright, so wear your Magento Sunglasses

The platform has not just survived its challenges; it has been reborn. With a reinvigorated community, exciting technical innovations, and a renewed focus on what makes Magento unique, the stage is set for a new era of growth and innovation.

The story of Magento's revival is more than just a tale of one e-commerce platform. It's a reminder of the power of community, the importance of open-source values, and the incredible things that can happen when passionate people come together around a shared vision.

Whatever challenges the Future may hold, the Magento community will face them head-on with the same spirit of innovation and collaboration that has defined it from the start. After all, in the world of Magento, it's not just about selling products—it's about building a truly priceless community.

If you got this far and you want to see my Magento Music Video. Click here .