Overview: Gitea is a lightweight, self-hosted Git service designed to be the easiest and fastest way to set up your own Git server. Forked from Gogs in 2016, it has evolved into a full-featured platform offering Git hosting, pull requests, issue tracking, code reviews, package registries (Maven, npm, Docker), and native CI/CD via Gitea Actions. Written in Go, it runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows across x86, amd64, ARM, and PowerPC architectures. Gitea is ideal for teams seeking full control over their source code without relying on third-party platforms like GitHub or GitLab, especially in environments with strict data governance or offline requirements.
It targets developers, DevOps engineers, and organizations that need a customizable, low-resource alternative to commercial Git hosting services. With its modular design, Docker support, and extensive documentation, Gitea enables rapid deployment and seamless integration into existing infrastructure while maintaining a clean, intuitive web interface.
What You Get
- Self-hosted Git hosting - Full Git repository management with web-based UI for cloning, pushing, and browsing code; supports SSH and HTTPS protocols.
- Code review & pull requests - Collaborative code review workflow with inline comments, diff views, and merge conflict resolution.
- Issue tracking & milestones - Project management tools including issue labeling, assignment, and milestone tracking tied to repositories.
- Built-in package registry - Host Maven, npm, Docker, and generic packages directly within Gitea without external services.
- CI/CD with Gitea Actions - Native GitHub Actions-compatible workflow engine to automate testing, building, and deployment pipelines.
- User & organization management - Role-based access control (RBAC), team permissions, and multi-tenant support for teams and enterprises.
- Multi-database support - Runs on SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MSSQL with configurable database backends for scalability.
- Docker & binary deployment - Official Docker images and pre-built binaries available for quick setup on any platform.
- API & CLI tooling - RESTful API with full documentation and official tea CLI for scripting and automation tasks.
Common Use Cases
- Building a private code repository for small to mid-sized teams - Companies or startups that need full control over their source code and want to avoid vendor lock-in with GitHub or GitLab, especially when compliance or data residency is critical.
- Creating a DevOps pipeline with integrated CI/CD - Teams using Gitea Actions to automate testing and deployment of Go, Node.js, or Docker-based applications directly from their repositories.
- Problem: Need a lightweight Git server that doesn’t require heavy infrastructure → Solution: Deploy Gitea with SQLite on a low-cost VPS - Organizations avoiding resource-heavy solutions like GitLab, choosing Gitea for its minimal overhead and fast startup on Raspberry Pi or small cloud instances.
- Team workflow: DevOps teams managing microservices across multiple environments - Using Gitea’s package registry to host internal Docker images and Maven artifacts, combined with CI/CD pipelines that trigger on push events.
Under The Hood
Gitea is a self-hosted Git service built with a monolithic architecture that balances performance, extensibility, and simplicity. It provides a feature-rich alternative to cloud-based Git platforms while maintaining a lightweight footprint through modular design and efficient backend services.
Architecture
Gitea follows a well-organized monolithic structure that emphasizes separation of concerns and modularity. The system is divided into distinct domains such as repositories, users, and actions, with clear boundaries between backend Go services and frontend TypeScript/JavaScript components.
- The architecture leverages dependency injection and middleware-based request handling for clean code organization
- Component-based UI composition in the frontend enables flexible and reusable interface elements
- Design patterns such as layered architecture and service-oriented modules support maintainability
- Strong emphasis on modularization allows for easy extension and customization
Tech Stack
Gitea is developed primarily in Go, with a modern web frontend powered by Vue.js and TypeScript. It integrates a wide range of tools and libraries to support its functionality and development workflow.
- The backend is built using Go, while the frontend uses Vue.js and TypeScript for type safety and component reusability
- Key dependencies include XORM for database operations, Monaco Editor for code editing, and Chart.js for data visualization
- Build and deployment workflows are supported through Webpack, Vite, PNPM, Makefiles, and Docker integration
- Testing is comprehensive, incorporating unit tests, integration fixtures, and end-to-end testing with Playwright and Vitest
Code Quality
Gitea maintains a mature approach to code quality with extensive test coverage and consistent patterns across the codebase. The project balances automated tooling with established Go conventions.
- Testing is structured across unit, integration, and end-to-end levels with strong coverage in core modules
- Error handling follows standard Go idioms, though some configuration files use exception-based approaches
- Code consistency is enforced through linting and automated formatting tools, supporting a clean and readable codebase
- Technical debt is present in some areas, particularly around duplicated logic and complex conditional flows
What Makes It Unique
Gitea distinguishes itself as a self-hosted Git service that prioritizes simplicity and performance without compromising on features or extensibility.
- Its modular architecture enables lightweight operation while supporting rich functionality through a flexible action framework
- The platform emphasizes self-hosting and local control, appealing to users who value privacy and autonomy
- Unique integration capabilities allow for seamless customization and extension through plugins and hooks
- The combination of Go backend and Vue.js frontend creates a responsive, scalable, and maintainable system