In this paper, we present a framework that uses a protocol-based approach to transform ontologies of social norms into actionable agendas for the development of democratic technical systems. We discuss how the democratic governance of communities, community-owned infrastructures, and digital commons can be organized based on dynamic and fluid deliberation processes using sociotechnical protocols. We examine how communities can be empowered to control algorithms, data, and infrastructure through systems that are “democratic by design,” focusing on the emerging vision of digital democracy where collaborative technologies form a symbiotic relationship with democratic processes. After introducing key principles for democratic technologies and governance processes, we propose the concept of hatching, a process that is sensitive to the cultural variances, different technological visions, and dynamic technology needs for intersecting social groups. This concept of a commons for digital deliberation helps reimagine the development of technologies and infrastructures as a community-oriented instead of user-oriented approach based on flexible protocols instead of stack models.