Contributing to VTK
===================

This page documents at a very high level how to contribute to VTK.
Please check our [developer instructions][] for a more detailed guide to
developing and contributing to the project, and our [VTK Git README][]
for additional information.

1.  Register [GitLab Access] to create an account and select a user name.

2.  [Fork VTK][] into your user's namespace on GitLab.

3.  Follow the [download instructions][] to create a
    local clone of the main VTK repository:

        $ git clone https://gitlab.kitware.com/vtk/vtk.git VTK
        $ cd VTK
    The main repository will be configured as your `origin` remote.

    For more information see: [Setup][]

4.  Run the [developer setup script][] to prepare your VTK work tree and
    create Git command aliases used below:

        $ ./Utilities/SetupForDevelopment.sh
    This will prompt for your GitLab user name and configure a remote
    called `gitlab` to refer to it.

    For more information see: [Setup][]

5.  Edit files and create commits (repeat as needed):

        $ edit file1 file2 file3
        $ git add file1 file2 file3
        $ git commit

    For more information see: [Create a Topic][]

6.  Push commits in your topic branch to your fork in GitLab:

        $ git gitlab-push

    For more information see: [Share a Topic][]

7.  Visit your fork in GitLab, browse to the "**Merge Requests**" link on the
    left, and use the "**New Merge Request**" button in the upper right to
    create a Merge Request.

    For more information see: [Create a Merge Request][]


VTK uses GitLab for code review and Buildbot to test proposed
patches before they are merged.

Our [Wiki][] is used to document features, flesh out designs and host other
documentation. Our API is documented using [Doxygen][] with updated
documentation generated nightly. We have several [Mailing Lists][]
to coordinate development and to provide support.

[VTK Git README]: Documentation/dev/git/README.md
[developer instructions]: Documentation/dev/git/develop.md
[GitLab Access]: https://gitlab.kitware.com/users/sign_in
[Fork VTK]: https://gitlab.kitware.com/vtk/vtk/fork/new
[download instructions]: Documentation/dev/git/download.md#clone
[developer setup script]: /Utilities/SetupForDevelopment.sh
[Setup]: Documentation/dev/git/develop.md#Setup
[Create a Topic]: Documentation/dev/git/develop.md#create-a-topic
[Share a Topic]: Documentation/dev/git/develop.md#share-a-topic
[Create a Merge Request]: Documentation/dev/git/develop.md#create-a-merge-request

[Wiki]: http://www.vtk.org/Wiki/VTK
[Doxygen]: http://www.vtk.org/doc/nightly/html
[Mailing Lists]: http://www.vtk.org/VTK/help/mailing.html
