Docs is a free and open-sourcecollaborativeword processor jointly developed by French and German governmental technology departments first announced in March 2025. The open-source platform enables document collaboration either through cloud-based systems or offline environments. The platform was created as a European alternative to prevailing American collaborative editing software such as Google Docs, with particular emphasis on security features and streamlined functionality for European institutional and business users.[2][3][4]
While not explicitly framed as a political response in official communications, the timing and nature of the collaboration between two major European economic powers aligned with broader European Union efforts to reduce technological dependency on non-European platforms and services, such as Google Docs and other Google products.[3]
The software utilizes a modern technology stack consisting entirely of open-source components. Primary frameworks include Django Rest for backend operations, Next.js for frontend functionality, and BlockNotes.js for document editing capabilities. The complete codebase was publicly released on GitHub.[3]
During its beta phase initiated in March 2025, users could access Docs through France's ProConnect identity verification service. The March 2025 of Docs implements a minimalist interface, with keyboard shortcut support, offline working capabilities, options for media integration, and granular access settings for document sharing and real-time collaborative editing, akin to Google Docs. The beta platform presently supports three export formats that have templates that can be customized: PDF, Microsoft Word, and OpenDocument. Docs incorporates a wiki functionality built into the software to facilitate team knowledge coordination and terminology standardization.[2][3][4]
Features announced for future implementation include subpages, advanced search capabilities, and document pinning for improve visibility of important content.[3]
Despite being government-initiated through DINUM and ZenDiS, Docs presently operates under the MIT License, which enables unrestricted commercial and private implementation, modification, and distribution.[3]
Technology
It is built with React, Django REST Framework, Next.js and Blocknotes.js.
