Getting Started

GitBlixt is a self-hosted Git platform. It runs with Docker Compose — one command starts everything you need, including the database.

Requirements

  • A Linux server (any cloud provider, VPS, or bare metal)
  • Docker and Docker Compose installed
  • A domain name pointed at your server's IP address
  • Ports 80, 443, and 22 open in your firewall

That's it. You do not need to install Postgres, Nginx, or any other dependency.

Use standard rootful Docker. GitBlixt drives the host Docker (for CI, PaaS deploys, and AI jobs) and runs as a Swarm service, so the daemon must not use userns-remap or rootless mode, and must not have live-restore enabled (incompatible with Swarm). Some cloud images ship these turned on — if the installer hits permission denied … docker.sock, a swarm-init error, or you see /data files owned by uid 100000, see Troubleshooting.

Quick Start

1. Create a project directory

mkdir gitblixt && cd gitblixt

2. Create a .env file

    POSTGRES_PASSWORD=$(openssl rand -hex 32)
GITBLIXT_HOST=git.yourdomain.com

cat > .env <<EOF
POSTGRES_PASSWORD=$POSTGRES_PASSWORD
GITBLIXT_HOST=git.yourdomain.com
DATA_DIR=./data
EOF

3. Download the compose file

Copy the docker-compose.yml from the GitBlixt repository into your project directory.

4. Start GitBlixt

docker compose up -d

5. Wait ~30 seconds

GitBlixt is initializing the database and requesting an SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt. You can watch progress with:

docker compose logs -f gitblixt

6. Open your browser

Navigate to https://git.vianet.us. You'll be greeted by the GitBlixt setup page.

7. Register your admin account

The first account registered becomes the administrator. Register now, then optionally disable public registration in your configuration.