# Contribute to GitLab

This guide details how to use pull requests and the issues to improve GitLab.

## Closing policy for pull requests and issues

Pull requests and issues not in line with the guidelines listed in this document will be closed with just a link to this paragraph. GitLab is a popular open source project and the capacity to deal with issues and pull requests is limited. To get support for your problems please use other channels as detailed in [the getting help section of the readme](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq#getting-help). Professional [support subscriptions](http://www.gitlab.com/subscription/) and [consulting services](http://www.gitlab.com/consultancy/) are available from [GitLab.com](http://www.gitlab.com/).

## Pull requests

We welcome pull request with improvements to GitLab code and/or documentation. The issues we would really like a pull request for are listed with the [status 'accepting merge/pull requests' on our feedback forum](http://feedback.gitlab.com/forums/176466-general/status/796455) but other improvements are also welcome.

### Pull request guidelines

 If you can please submit a pull request with the fix including tests. The workflow to make a pull request is as follows:

1. Fork the project on GitHub
1. Create a feature branch
1. Write tests and code
1. If you have multiple commits please combine them into one commit by [squashing them](http://git-scm.com/book/en/Git-Tools-Rewriting-History#Squashing-Commits)
1. Push the commit to your fork
1. Submit a pull request

We will accept pull requests if:

* The code has proper tests and all tests pass
* It can be merged without problems (if not please use: git rebase master)
* It doesn't break any existing functionality
* It's quality code that conforms to the [Rails style guide](https://github.com/bbatsov/rails-style-guide) and best practices
* The description includes a motive for your change and the method you used to achieve it
* It keeps the GitLab code base clean and well structured
* We think other users will need the same functionality
* If it makes changes to the UI the pull request should include screenshots

For examples of feedback on pull requests please look at already [closed pull requests](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq/pulls?direction=desc&page=1&sort=created&state=closed).

## Issue tracker

The [issue tracker](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq/issues) is only for obvious bugs or misbehavior in the master branch of GitLab. When submitting an issue please conform to the issue submission guidelines listed below.

Please send a pull request with a tested solution or a pull request with a failing test instead of opening an issue if you can. If you're unsure where to post, post to the [Support Forum](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/gitlabhq) first. There are a lot of helpful GitLab users there who may be able to help you quickly. If your particular issue turns out to be a bug, it will find its way from there.

### Issue tracker guidelines

**Search** for similar entries before submitting your own, there's a good chance somebody else had the same issue or idea. Show your support with `:+1:` and/or join the discussion.

* Summarize your issue in one sentence (what goes wrong, what did you expect to happen)
* Describe your issue in detail
* How can we reproduce the issue on the [GitLab Vagrant virtual machine](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlab-vagrant-vm) (start with: vagrant destroy && vagrant up && vagrant ssh)
* Add the last commit sha1 of the GitLab version you used to replicate the issue
* Add logs or screen shots when possible
* Link to the line of code that might be responsible for the problem
* Describe your setup (use relevant parts from `sudo -u gitlab -H bundle exec rake gitlab:env:info`)