Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Fossil Version Control System on Linux

Step 1: Fetch the Docker Project Signing Key

To begin deploying Fossil, obtain the Docker repository files:

Open your terminal and execute the command to fetch the signing key.

Step 2: Create a Repository File for Docker

Create a new file in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory to include Docker’s repository:

Insert the repository link into your newly created file, save it, and then install the core snap package.

Step 3: Install Certbot

Download the Certbot snap package from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and run:

sudo snap install core; sudo snap refresh core; sudo apt update

Proceed to install Docker and Nginx.

Step 4: Download the Latest Stable Release of Fossil

Visit the Fossil download page to get the current stable tarball. Move it to your home directory and extract it with:

tar -xvf fossil-2.23.tar.gz

Step 5: Modify the Dockerfile

Navigate to the extracted folder and open the Dockerfile in a text editor:

Add the following line before the "--user", "admin" :

# Your additional Dockerfile configurations here

Step 6: Build Your Docker Image

Save the Dockerfile and build the Docker container with:

docker build -t your-fossil-image.

Step 7: Create DNS Records for Your Fossil Server

You need to encrypt external access to Fossil.

Set up a new DNS “A” record pointing to your Fossil server’s IP address.

Step 8: Create a Nginx Configuration File

Using a text editor, create a new site configuration for your Fossil instance. Insert the following code:

server { listen 80; server_name your-subdomain.com; # additional configuration }

Step 9: Start Nginx Service

Link your site configuration file in /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/, then start the Nginx service:

sudo systemctl start nginx

Step 10: Configure Your Fossil Instance

Visit the web interface to initiate setup. Click on setup/config to enter admin details:

Step 11: Fill Out Project Details

Input the project name and description, then hit Apply Changes.

Step 12: Install Fossil Locally

Install a local version of Fossil on your desktop before proceeding to clone the repo:

sudo apt install fossil

Step 13: Add and Commit Files

To add project files to your repository, execute:

fossil add your_file.ext

Commit your changes with a message:

fossil commit -m "Initial commit"

Step 14: Configure Remote Repository Access

Log in to your Fossil web interface as an admin and grant permissions for your repository access:

Step 15: Create a New User with Developer Rights

Under the admin panel, create a user with developer capabilities to enable synchronization from your local repo to the server:

Step 16: Push Your Changes

From your local terminal, execute:

fossil push

Enter your credentials as prompted.

What are the main benefits of using Fossil over Git?

Can I run Fossil without Docker?