# What Version Control System Does Open‑SEO Use?

> Discover the version control system behind Open-SEO. Learn how Git and GitHub streamline development and collaboration for this open-source project.

- Repository: [Every App/open-seo](https://github.com/every-app/open-seo)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-06-28

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**Open‑SEO uses Git for version control, with the repository hosted on GitHub.**

The every-app/open-seo project manages its source code using Git, the distributed version control system that powers the modern development workflow seen throughout the repository. Evidence of this setup appears directly in the file structure, most notably through the presence of a `.gitignore` file at the repository root that instructs Git which files and directories to exclude from tracking.

## How Git Powers Open‑SEO Development

Open‑SEO follows the standard Git‑based repository layout maintained on GitHub. The `.gitignore` file located at `https://github.com/every-app/open-seo/blob/main/.gitignore` defines patterns for build artifacts, dependencies, and environment files that should remain untracked by the version control system.

When you examine the repository interface at `https://github.com/every-app/open-seo`, you encounter the familiar Git‑enabled features supporting branching, commit history visualization, and pull request workflows. This confirms that Git serves as the underlying VCS for all source code management in the project.

## Essential Git Commands for Contributing

Contributors interact with Open‑SEO using standard Git commands. Below are the core workflows for cloning the repository and submitting changes.

### Cloning the Repository

To obtain a local copy of the Open‑SEO source code:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/every-app/open-seo.git
cd open-seo

```

This creates a full Git repository on your local machine, complete with the entire commit history and branch structure from the remote.

### Working with Feature Branches

Open‑SEO development follows the feature branch workflow. Create an isolated branch for your modifications before altering the codebase:

```bash
git checkout -b my-new-feature

# ... make changes to files ...

git add .
git commit -m "Add new feature"
git push origin my-new-feature

```

Pushing the branch to the remote prepares it for integration through GitHub’s pull request interface.

### Submitting Changes via Pull Request

After pushing your feature branch:

1. Navigate to the GitHub repository page.
2. Click **"Compare & pull request"** to initiate the review process.
3. Fill in the description and submit for maintainer review.

This workflow leverages Git’s distributed version control capabilities while utilizing GitHub’s collaboration layer.

## Key Files in the Git Repository

Several files work together with Git to manage the Open‑SEO project effectively:

- **`.gitignore`**: Located at `https://github.com/every-app/open-seo/blob/main/.gitignore`, this file specifies patterns for files Git should ignore, such as build artifacts and local environment configurations.
- **[`README.md`](https://github.com/every-app/open-seo/blob/main/README.md)**: The primary documentation file rendered on the repository’s main page, tracked by the version control system to ensure consistent project information across all clones.
- **[`package.json`](https://github.com/every-app/open-seo/blob/main/package.json)**: If present in the Node.js environment, this dependency manifest is tracked by Git to ensure consistent package installations across contributor environments.
- **`docs/`**: The documentation directory containing self-hosting guides and development instructions, all versioned through Git to maintain synchronization with code changes.

## Summary

- Open‑SEO uses **Git** as its distributed version control system, hosted on **GitHub**.
- The presence of a `.gitignore` file at the repository root confirms Git manages the project’s file tracking rules.
- Contributors clone the repository using `git clone`, develop on isolated feature branches, and submit changes through GitHub pull requests.
- Key tracked files include `.gitignore`, [`README.md`](https://github.com/every-app/open-seo/blob/main/README.md), [`package.json`](https://github.com/every-app/open-seo/blob/main/package.json), and the `docs/` directory, which maintain project documentation and dependencies within the version control system.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does Open‑SEO use Git or SVN for version control?

Open‑SEO uses **Git**, not SVN. The repository is hosted on GitHub, which exclusively supports Git. The presence of a `.gitignore` file and the Git-specific workflow of cloning, branching, and pull requests confirm Git as the underlying version control system.

### Where is the Open‑SEO Git repository hosted?

The Git repository is hosted on **GitHub** at `https://github.com/every-app/open-seo`. This provides the web interface for browsing code, managing issues, and handling pull requests on top of the core Git functionality.

### How do I ignore files when committing to Open‑SEO?

Configure exclusion patterns in the `.gitignore` file located at the repository root. This file already contains rules for common build artifacts and dependencies. Add new patterns to this file and commit the change to ensure all contributors share the same ignore rules within the version control system.

### Can I contribute to Open‑SEO without using Git?

No, contributing requires Git. You must clone the repository using `git clone`, create local branches, and push changes using Git commands or a Git GUI client. While GitHub provides a web interface for minor single-file edits, any substantial contribution follows the standard Git workflow of branching and submitting pull requests.