---
package: "@opentelemetry/resources"
version: "^1.27.0"
tier: core
decision: approved
date: 2026-05-14
deciders: [Danijel Martinek]
adr: adr-017
filter-results:
  license: Apache-2.0
  types: native
  maintenance: active
  boundary-fit: pass
  shadow-check: pass
  eu-residency: n/a
  cve-scan: clean
  named-consumer: pass
verification-commands:
  - npm view @opentelemetry/resources license
  - npm view @opentelemetry/resources version
  - pnpm audit --audit-level=moderate
accepted-cves: []
---

## Filter: license

<!-- Result: Apache-2.0 -->

`npm view @opentelemetry/resources license` returns `Apache-2.0`. Apache-2.0 is on the allowlist.

## Filter: types

<!-- Result: native -->

`@opentelemetry/resources` is authored in TypeScript and ships its own `.d.ts` declaration files. No separate `@types/` package is needed.

## Filter: maintenance

<!-- Result: active -->

Actively maintained by the OpenTelemetry community. The 1.27.x line is on the stable 1.x track and receives regular releases. Stable versioning reflects the maturity of the resources specification.

## Filter: boundary-fit

<!-- Result: pass -->

ADR-017 §8 restricts `@opentelemetry/resources` to `**/instrumentation/otel/**` and app init paths. The `Resource` class is used in `initOtelServerNode` to attach service name, version, and environment attributes to all telemetry signals. Feature packages never import it directly.

## Filter: shadow-check

<!-- Result: pass -->

`@opentelemetry/resources` is the standard OTel resource detection package. No competing resource attribution mechanism is present in the workspace.

## Filter: eu-residency

<!-- Result: n/a -->

`@opentelemetry/resources` is a pure configuration package that attaches static metadata to telemetry signals. It has no network communication or data transmission. EU residency does not apply.

## Filter: cve-scan

<!-- Result: clean -->

`pnpm audit --audit-level=moderate` reports no advisories against `@opentelemetry/resources` at the time of this trace.

## Filter: named-consumer

<!-- Result: pass -->

`packages/core-shared/src/instrumentation/otel/init-otel-server-node.ts` uses `Resource` to tag all OTel signals with `service.name`, `service.version`, and `deployment.environment` attributes, enabling filtering by service in Sentry and future backends.

## Prompt: replaces

Manual tag propagation that would otherwise require attaching service metadata to every span and log record individually. `Resource` is set once at SDK init time and propagates to all signals automatically.

## Prompt: migration-cost-out

Low. `@opentelemetry/resources` is used in one SDK init file. Removing it means losing automatic service metadata on signals — signals would still be emitted but lose `service.name` attribution unless manually added to each span.

## Prompt: alternatives-considered

1. **Manual span attributes** — Set `service.name` on every `startSpan()` call. Rejected: error-prone at scale; resources are a first-class OTel concept designed for this exact purpose.
2. **Sentry release/environment config** — Sentry SDK accepts `release` and `environment` directly. Rejected: Sentry-specific; OTel Resource is the vendor-neutral mechanism that works with any exporter.

See ADR-017 for the full decision rationale.
