I created the "pure-data" GH group as an umbrella for this kind of development, so we could think about moving generally useful & actively support externals there. Then anyone can do a PR or be given externals development access via GH groups, etc without worrying about "stepping on anyones toes" or being stuck with something on their personal account. Original authors, of course, are free to take over their own projects and move them if they want, but there are definitely cases of externals which have become more community developed.