> You could clone an open source repo and use that if you're worried. The value isn't the code; it's the conversation.

Open Source code plagiarism is a major problem and doing random forks/clone of popular repos to up your github cred is a thing and in my opinion it is unethical. Even if the interviewee tells you it is an open source project you will have a hard time distinguishing their code and the code from the original repo.

I think the interviewer should show their own production code and ask the interviewee what they think and what suggestion they have to offer. If you are not comfortable showing your own production code ask the interviewee to explore an open source codebase.

The "Show me what you got" approach puts way too much unjust pressure on a candidate and might force them to chose unethical means just to impress you. Then again if you want be impressed and if it is working so far for you, ignore my whole argument.

Folks were responding to "Bring code you've written" which is different from just bringing some code.

> Everyone in this thread seems to be hung up on sharing code from an employer

Probably because you said “Bring code you've written”