Own your code again with forgejo

What:

Git isn't just github. This we all know. But it kind of is, at least when it comes to the amount of code stored there and sheer number of users. This isn't anything new. When I want to check out an open source project I go to Github by default, without second thought.

And yet, it isn't the only implementation of git. Most of us are familiar with bitbucket, gitlab, some have even heard of azure devops. More privacy focused users have probably heard about Gitea - self hosted git implementation. Lately I've been experimenting with a fork of the old Gitea, called Forgejo.

Why:

I feel like the purpose of private repositories should have something to do with their name "private". With Github's shady statements regarding whether they use individuals private repositories, the next obvious step was to try to host something I would have full controll over. That's how I ended up with Forgejo.

How:

Quite simply to be honest:
1. Go to the official Forgejo installation guide: https://forgejo.org/docs/next/admin/installation/
2. Decide on how you want to proceed with the installation, I've choosen docker image: https://forgejo.org/docs/next/admin/installation/docker/
In my case I needed to just:

• create a docker-compose.yml file,

• start it,

• register the first user (who becomes an admin by default).

And my registry was ready to go. I was then able to push my code to the truly private repository. Of course for really important repos, you should always read the instruction first.... as we all always do. Next steps would be to manage the backups (and to remember that storing backups of a service on the same server that hosts this service may not be the wisest idea).

Benefits:

- private, open source, self hosted source control with git,

- ability to manage wiki, packages and pipelines and other useful features, out of the box,

- Codeberg e.V. - non-profit association responsible for the project with a community of active participants doing their part to keep the idea of Open Source alive,

Sources:

- Forgejo repository (this time I don't encourage "giving them a star in github" but you still can give them a star if you join codeberg.org): Forgejo repository ,

- Github community discussion about whether private repositories are used to train AI: Github community,