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Intoduction

git-system-follower (gsf) is a package manager for Git providers.

PyPI PyPI - Python Version Build Repo Size ruff

  • Supported Git providers

    Gitlab

  • Supported Gear registries

    Dockerhub
    Artifactory
    Nexus

Overview

gsf designed to streamline the management of repository branch content and configuration. By automating installations, updates, and removals, gsf reduces manual intervention, prevents errors, and ensures a consistent state across projects.

If you’re managing CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure configurations, or any repository-bound tools, gsf is here to make your work easier, faster, and more reliable using Git packages, aka Gears.

Problems It Solves

Have you used versioned .gitlab-ci.yml that require a specific file structure in the repository?

If so, you've probably encountered configuration issues: you forgot to specify a mandatory parameter, didn't create the right file, and eventually the Pipeline doesn't work. Or maybe everything was working, and suddenly the Pipeline starts crashing for no apparent reason - and you waste time figuring out that someone accidentally changed the startup parameters. And if you need to update an old .gitlab-ci.yml to the latest version, you often have to manually migrate through multiple versions.

gsf solves all of these problems by automatically managing your config file version and structure, eliminating all of these errors and saving you a lot of work:

  • Reduced manual work

    Package developers handle installation and updates automatically, eliminating manual configuration work.

  • Version management

    Supports automated migrations between versions to ensure smooth updates without errors.

  • Preserving user changes

    Smart file comparison prevents overwriting custom modifications during updates.

  • Security and control

    Tracks installed packages in .state.yaml with hash verification to prevent unauthorized changes.

Key Features

  • Works only with repository branch content
    The manager operates exclusively within branches, managing the repository’s content without altering branches, commits, or other repository elements.

  • GitLab-specific support
    The current implementation is tailored to work with GitLab repositories.

  • Package installation
    Quickly add new tools or configurations to a repository.

  • Package updates
    Ensure smooth migrations between versions.

  • Package removal
    Completely remove configurations and tools without leaving traces.

  • Variable management
    Add or update variables in CI/CD systems like GitLab.

  • Template generation
    Create configuration files while considering existing settings and user changes.

  • Developer interface
    Provides API and tools for package developers to define how their packages are installed, updated, and removed. This ensures that package developers can define migration steps and other actions with precision.

Key Beneficiaries

DevOps engineers, SRE engineers and other professionals working with GitOps repositories, for example, configuring projects linked to ArgoCD, GitLab CI/CD, or similar tools.

Install

See Installation Guide.

Docs

Get started with the Quick Start Guide or plunge into the complete documentation.

Contributing

  • CODE-OF-CONDUCT.md
    This document outlines the expected behavior for everyone interacting with the project. It fosters a respectful and inclusive environment for developers, contributors, and users.

  • CONTRIBUTING.md
    This document acts as a guide for anyone interested in contributing to the project. It clarifies the contribution process and helps maintainers manage contributions effectively.

  • SECURITY.md
    This document focuses on security practices and reporting vulnerabilities. It aims to promote a secure development environment and responsible handling of security issues.

Changelog

Detailed changes for each release are documented in the TBD.

License

Apache License 2.0