This study considers the problem of control in open-source software. In particular, it aims to chart the topology of control situated in peer-to-peer interaction, that is, to uncover the individual facets of control and appreciate their relationship with linguistic means offered by online sociality. To do so, it leverages naturally-occurring data from the “Linux Kernel” project, analysed by integrating a qualitative approach to the study of meanings with a text classifier based on Deep Learning. Overall, the project enquires about the boundaries and nature of control, offering momentum on how independent or organisational agents enforce control within organisations whose actors are not bound by any employment relationships and pursue different goals.