X algorithm repo has only one commit after Musk pledge

Elon Musk pledged on Jan. 10 to publish X’s recommendation algorithm within seven days and to update it every four weeks with developer release notes. The xai-org/x-algorithm repository on GitHub shows a single commit dated Jan. 17 and no subsequent commits or published release notes.

The repository contains four components and the codebase is listed as 62.9% Rust and 37.1% Python. None of the files in the repository have recorded follow-up commits since the initial upload.

The uploaded files include a final score formula used to rank posts but do not include the numeric weights assigned to predicted user actions. The README for the Phoenix module describes its transformer implementation as “representative of the model used internally with the exception of specific scaling optimizations,” indicating differences between the published snapshot and the deployed system.

The repository snapshot does not document how production systems weight signals such as reports and blocks. Users have raised concerns that coordinated negative signals can reduce an account’s visibility.

Crypto-focused account holders have reported drops in reach on the platform since the code went live. A market watcher who uses the name Ethan wrote that the algorithm is “the worst it’s ever been,” and described an overabundance of political and engagement-driven content and fewer crypto posts. Developer and account-holder reports include rapid declines in impressions and engagement after coordinated negative signals.

One user, Linus Ekenstam, posted that his accounts experienced a “super consistent 85–95% drop on all metrics” following a period of viral activity.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin questioned whether X could meet meaningful transparency standards before the repository was published.

A prior repository released in 2023 under a former account drew similar complaints and later became inactive. Supporters of decentralized social networks point to platforms that publish full, forkable protocols as an alternative to sample code that cannot be run against production systems.

Musk has reiterated the promise to post monthly updates, writing, “Critique of the X algorithm is welcome. There will be monthly updates of the latest algorithm to GitHub with release notes. As reminder, you can always choose no algorithm via the Following tab.” Four months after the initial upload, no monthly updates or accompanying developer documentation appear in the repository.

What is added to the repository in the coming four weeks will indicate whether the project will receive the regular, documented updates Musk outlined.