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git-bug is an open-source bug tracker integrated with Git: create and edit issues locally, then share their history by pushing and pulling through Git remotes. It is an offline-first issue tracker with command-line, terminal, and Web UI options, plus bridges to several external trackers. Its public-facing Web UI is still a work in progress, so it is not a drop-in public issue portal.
What git-bug changes about issue tracking
Instead of keeping issue data in a separate hosted service, git-bug stores the tracker within a Git repository without adding ordinary project files. The project describes bugs as shareable through normal Git remotes, so contributors can work offline and synchronize later with Git operations. See the git-bug README for the project’s description and capabilities.
This model can suit developers who want issue work to follow their Git workflow or need to author issues without a constant connection. It also means the team needs to be comfortable with a CLI-oriented, repository-centered workflow. Consider whether your team needs a public issue portal, which interfaces it will actually use, and whether any required external-tracker bridge supports the specific data and direction you need.
Install git-bug and confirm it is available
The official installation guide documents a single binary for multiple platforms, with release binaries and package routes including Arch AUR and Nixpkgs on Linux, FreeBSD packages or ports, Homebrew on macOS, and Scoop on Windows. Routes and release artifacts may change, so choose the current instructions for your operating system in the official installation guide.
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For a source build, the guide lists Git, Go, and Make as prerequisites. After installing the executable and placing it in your PATH, check that the command is available:
git bug versionRecent release notes say that go install no longer includes the Web UI. If you need that interface, use an official release or build with make build, following the instructions for the release you choose. Release notes also mention signed checksum files, SBOMs, and build-provenance attestations; confirm what is available for the particular release you install. See the release notes.
Create and manage your first issue
The README’s introductory sequence starts by creating a user identity, then adds and lists a bug. Run these commands from a repository where git-bug is available:
git bug user create— create your user identity.git bug add— start a new issue; the configured editor opens for its title and message.git bug ls— list issues.git bug show,git bug comment,git bug open, andgit bug close— inspect or modify issues. Consult each command’s--helpoutput for the exact flags available in your installed version.
For a simple query, the README demonstrates git bug ls "status:open sort:edit". It also shows text searching with git bug ls "foo bar" baz. Treat these as introductory examples rather than a complete reference: query syntax and options should be checked against the manual for the version you use.
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Share bug data with Git remotes
Native collaboration uses the repository’s Git remotes: push bug updates to share them and pull updates from collaborators. The documented command forms are:
git bug push [<remote>]
git bug pull [<remote>]The remote argument is optional in the documented forms. The project presents this push-and-pull workflow as its synchronization mechanism; contributors can make issue changes offline and synchronize when connected. Check the command help for your version and the remote setup used by your repository.
Choose an interface that fits the team
Command line
The CLI is the most direct route through the documented create, list, comment, status, and synchronization commands. It works naturally for people who already use Git in a terminal, but may be less approachable for teammates who expect a browser-based tracker.
Terminal UI
The project provides an interactive terminal interface through git bug termui. This gives terminal users an alternative to entering every operation as a separate command.
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The project describes a Web UI launched with git bug webui. The README lists browsing, searching, and filtering issues; opening issues; commenting; and editing titles, labels, and status. It also describes code browsing with a file tree, syntax-highlighted files, commit history, and diffs. These are project-documented capabilities, not independently tested behavior here.
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Do not treat that interface as a ready-made public issue portal. The README calls the public-portal workflow a work in progress: the project aims to let unauthenticated visitors authenticate through an external OAuth provider to read and file issues, but says the Web UI is not yet up to speed for that use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use bridges carefully when migrating or syncing
The README says bridges can import from and export to GitHub, GitLab, Jira, and Launchpad. Its broad lifecycle commands are:
git bug bridge new
git bug bridge pull [<name>]
git bug bridge push [<name>]
git bug bridge rm [<name>]A bridge can be configured interactively or with target, URL, login, and token options. The existence of a bridge does not establish that every issue field, comment, status, or synchronization direction is supported equally. Before relying on one, check the current bridge documentation and feature matrix for the target tracker and release.
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Decide whether git-bug fits your team
Compare the workflow you need against these practical distinctions:
- Offline work: Can contributors author and update issues locally, then synchronize through Git remotes?
- Public access: Do you need anonymous visitors to browse or file issues? The README says the public-portal workflow is still a work in progress.
- Interface: Will the team use CLI commands, a terminal UI, the Web UI, or a combination?
- Existing tracker: If you need a bridge, does the current feature matrix cover the fields and direction your process depends on?
- Maintenance: Can you install and keep the tool current across every platform your contributors use?
- Team habits: Is the team comfortable treating issue data as part of a Git-based workflow?
Official docs establish the workflow options, but do not provide benchmarks or a full comparison with hosted trackers. The right choice depends on your team’s collaboration and access requirements, not on an assumed performance advantage.
Version and downgrade cautions
Recent release notes say the old search index is rebuilt automatically on upgrade. They also warn that downgrading requires removing .git/git-bug before an older version recreates the index. Treat this as a release-specific maintenance detail and follow the notes for the exact versions involved rather than assuming every upgrade or downgrade has identical behavior.
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