Let’s talk Timber and Open Source stories – Interview with Jared Novack and Lukas Gächter

What does it take to build and maintain an open-source project that lasts? In this episode of Osom to Know, Jared Novack, and Lukas Gächter, share their experiences shaping one of the most impactful projects in the WordPress ecosystem. Their story highlights not only the evolution of Timber but also how open-source collaboration fuels innovation, sustainability, and community trust.

➡️ Jared is a co-founder of Upstatement, a digital product studio based in the US and a member of the kyu Collective. Today he runs finance and operations, but he used to do fun stuff like build websites all night long. He started Timber in 2013 to scale the development of WordPress sites across front and back end collaborators.

➡️ Lukas has been building websites for 20 years. He runs a small design and development agency with a couple of friends in Switzerland. He works for small companies and organizations and mainly builds corporate Websites using WordPress. He discovered Timber in 2015 and started contributing to the open source project as a way of giving back to the community, driving the project forward and elevating his developer skills along the way.

Their story highlights not only the evolution of Timber but also how open-source collaboration fuels innovation, sustainability, and community trust.

How Timber Redefined WordPress Development

Timber is an open-source library that integrates the Twig templating engine with WordPress, allowing developers to create cleaner, faster, and more maintainable themes.

Building an open-source project like Timber takes passion, persistence, and a deep understanding of developer needs. The idea behind Timber was to make the WordPress workflow smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. It quickly became not just a tool, but a philosophy about collaboration, design, and simplifying development for real people. Timber changed how developers think about building WordPress themes. By separating logic from design, it introduced a cleaner, more efficient approach that resonated across the WordPress ecosystem.

“When I started working with Twig and WordPress, it just made sense. Suddenly, front-end developers could work faster without touching PHP all the time.”

This simplicity became Timber’s strength. It allowed agencies, freelancers, and creators to collaborate more efficiently – improving both workflow and maintainability by giving developers structure, flexibility, and freedom.

The power of Open Source Collaboration

Timber’s growth has always been tied to its community. From its first GitHub commit to hundreds of pull requests, Jared and Lukas emphasize that the project would never have thrived without open collaboration.

“I think the best part of open source is that you’re never building alone. People you’ve never met show up, contribute, and suddenly your idea becomes something much bigger.”

The contributors’ passion shaped Timber’s roadmap, improving everything from documentation to accessibility. This open exchange of ideas also highlights one of open source’s biggest advantages: progress never depends on a single company or leader. Open source isn’t just about code – it’s about connection and shared purpose. The openness ensures transparency, faster iteration, and collective problem-solving that proprietary systems rarely achieve. The result is a project that’s not just technically sound but deeply human.

Lesson from building a sustainable Open Source project

Running a long-term open-source initiative comes with challenges. Jared admits there were moments of doubt and burnout – times when maintaining the project felt overwhelming.

“You can’t do open source just for recognition. You do it because you believe in the idea — because you know it helps people.”

Lukas echoed that sustainability depends on community support, transparent communication, and honest prioritization. Clear governance and sponsorships have allowed Timber to evolve responsibly while staying free for its users. Maintaining this balance between growth and openness ensures that the project remains accessible while still attracting meaningful investment and new contributors.

The Role of Community in Timber’s Evolution

Timber’s contributors aren’t just developers – they include designers, writers, testers, and even marketers. Lukas explained how this diversity made Timber more inclusive and better aligned with real-world needs.

“Everyone brings something different. Sometimes the smallest pull request changes everything for the better.”

Through meetups, Slack groups, and conferences like WordCamp, Timber’s network has grown into a space where learning and mentorship thrive. Collaboration continues to be the foundation of every update, and diverse contributions make open source stronger and more adaptable.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Timber and Open Source

Both Jared and Lukas are optimistic about the future. They see Timber not just as a tool, but as an example of how open-source values can empower developers worldwide.

“The code will change, but the spirit — that shared idea of making something together — that’s what will last.”

They believe the future of open source lies in hybrid models that balance transparency with sustainability, where projects can remain free yet financially supported by the ecosystem they empower. The next chapter of open source is about balance – between freedom, funding, and the shared mission to build better software.

Final Thought: Why Timber Matters

The story of Timber is one of creativity, resilience, and collaboration. It shows how open source can inspire new ways of thinking – not just about technology, but about people and purpose. Together, Jared and Lukas highlighted how consistent contribution, shared vision, and community feedback shaped the evolution of Timber into a mature framework. They emphasized that open source remains strongest when developers contribute not just code, but mentorship and ideas. The conversation underscored that sustainability, collaboration, and transparency will always be the cornerstones of successful open source projects.

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At Osom Studio, we believe in that same mission. Open source thrives when communities invest in it – with time, ideas, and trust. If you’re building in WordPress or exploring how open-source tools can elevate your business, connect with us and discover how innovation grows when it’s shared.