MAVEN CENTRAL REPOSITORY
Maven Central + Sonatype:
The Foundation of the Java Ecosystem
We don’t just scan for risk. We help prevent it at the source. Sonatype has stewarded the Maven Central Repository for nearly two decades, securing and managing a critical piece of open source infrastructure — the world’s largest and most trusted open source Java ecosystem.
Central Repository
Pillar of Sonatype Expertise
Our stewardship of Maven Central isn’t just operational. From its early roots as a community effort to today’s professionally managed platform, Sonatype has helped scale and secure the Central Repository while preserving its free and open access for Java developers worldwide.
Firsthand Knowledge of Open Source Hygiene
We’ve seen what good and bad publishing looks like. Our suite of products are informed by decades of upstream validation, not just downstream scanning.
Deep Insight Into Ecosystem Behavior
Real-Time Threat Mitigation, Not Just Detection
A Working Model for Secure Supply Chain Governance
We’ve applied the principles of secure-by-design software distribution at global scale — and our customers benefit with built-in trust for the world’s open source.
Supporting the Java Community
For more than 15 years, we’ve worked to evolve the Central Repository into a piece of modern critical infrastructure.
Secure by Design, Powered by Sonatype
The Central Repository isn’t just another package registry. It was built on principles that prioritize structure, trust, and long-term resilience. These aren’t optional best practices — they’re hard requirements. And they’ve helped keep Maven Central remarkably free of the supply chain attacks seen in other ecosystems.
Namespace Control
Publishers must control a domain matching their groupId. No typosquatting allowed.
Mandatory Signing
All artifacts must be cryptographically signed. No unsigned or unverifiable binaries.
Metadata Validation
Components must meet formatting, structure, and policy standards before publication.
Threat Response
Malicious or suspicious uploads are detected and rejected before going live.
More About Maven Central
Maven: The Complete Reference
Maven by Example
Maven Cookbook
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maven Central?
Maven Central, or the Central Repository is the largest public repository of open source Java components and libraries, allowing developers to share and consume Java artifacts in a standardized, reliable, and secure way. Central delivers a collection of community-supported Java components, backed by professional infrastructure that ensures speed, availability, and trust.
How do you download from the Maven Central Repository?
By default, Apache Maven, Gradle, SBT, and other tools are configured to pull dependencies from Maven Central. You can also browse and download artifacts manually from central.sonatype.com.
Who maintains Maven Central and why is that important?
Maven Central Repository is professionally managed by Sonatype. We are committed to maintaining a free, open, and reliable resource for the Java community. Our stewardship means the repository benefits from continuous performance improvements, scalable infrastructure, and proactive security practices that protect the software supply chain at its origin.
Why should I use Maven Central to build software?
With the Maven Central Repository, developers benefit from seamless software dependency resolution, empowering teams to focus on building rather than managing dependencies. By combining Maven Central with Sonatype’s broader platform — including Nexus Repository, Repository Firewall, and Lifecycle — developers gain built-in protection that helps identify and prevent risks from entering the software supply chain at the point of component request.
Partner with Maven Central