Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about StarMapper — scan speed, privacy, tokens, and embeds.
Is StarMapper free?
Yes — no account, no login, no credit card. Paste a repo URL and click Map Stargazers.
How long does a scan take?
Small repos (under 500 stars) scan in under 10 seconds. Large repos (50k+ stars) take a few minutes — the GitHub API processes users in batches of 100. Once a repo is scanned, the result is cached globally: any subsequent visitor loads it instantly, no re-scan needed.
Will my GitHub token be stored?
No. Your token is saved in your browser's localStorage only — it never leaves your device except to authenticate directly with the GitHub API. StarMapper does not store tokens server-side.
Is StarMapper open source?
Yes. StarMapper is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. The full source code is available on GitHub.
How accurate is the location data?
Accuracy depends on what GitHub users enter in their profile. On average 60–80% of stargazers have a geocodable location. Users without a location appear in the Unmapped list.
Does it work with private repos?
No. StarMapper only works with public repositories — the GitHub API does not expose stargazer data for private repos.
Can I embed a badge in my README?
Yes. After scanning a repo, StarMapper generates two embeddable assets: an SVG shield badge (star count + countries mapped) and a full scatter map image. Copy the Markdown or HTML snippet directly from the map page.
Where does the stargazer data come from?
StarMapper uses the GitHub public API (GraphQL + REST) with an authenticated token. We access only publicly visible profile fields: username, display name, and the self-declared location field. No private information is ever accessed. Location text is geocoded using Jawg, Geoapify, and Nominatim. Results are displayed as geographic clusters, not searchable individual records.
How do I request removal of my data?
Remove your location from your GitHub profile settings — the next scan will reflect the change automatically and your coordinates will no longer be geocoded. To delete existing data, email florian@bruniaux.com with your GitHub username. We will remove your profile data and star events within 30 days.
Not on the map?
Add a location to your GitHub profile at github.com/settings/profile. The next scan of any repo you've starred will pick it up automatically.
Something missing? florian@bruniaux.com