What is GitBowl and how does it compare to GitHub?

GitBowl is a modern, ultra-fast Git code hosting platform designed for speed, simplicity, and zero bloat. It provides unlimited public and private repositories, standard Git Smart-HTTP operations (git clone, push, pull), an in-browser code editor, and instant 1-click GitHub repository import without complicated setups.

How do I clone a GitBowl repository to my local computer?

Run standard git clone in your terminal: 'git clone https://gitbowl.zone.id/{owner}/{repository}.git'. When prompted for credentials, enter your GitBowl username and your Personal Access Token (PAT) generated in your Profile Settings.

How do I push code to GitBowl using the Git CLI?

In your project folder, add GitBowl as a remote: 'git remote add origin https://gitbowl.zone.id/{username}/{repo}.git' and push your branch: 'git push -u origin main'. Authenticate using your Personal Access Token as the password.

Is GitBowl free for public and private repositories?

Yes, GitBowl provides completely free hosting for both private and public code repositories with unlimited commits, branches, issues, and file uploads.

Can I import repositories directly from GitHub to GitBowl?

Yes! GitBowl features built-in 1-click GitHub repository import. Simply sign in with GitHub or enter any public repository URL, and GitBowl will automatically stream and import all files, directory trees, and initial commit history into your new GitBowl repository with adaptive chunking.

How do I create a Personal Access Token (PAT) for Git authentication?

Log in to GitBowl, navigate to Settings > Access Tokens, enter a token name, select your desired expiration, and click 'Generate Token'. Use this token as your password for command-line Git operations like clone, fetch, and push.

What security measures does GitBowl use to protect source code?

GitBowl uses PostgreSQL Row Level Security (RLS) to enforce strict tenant isolation. All data in transit is encrypted using TLS 1.3. Developer personal access tokens are stored using irreversible cryptographic hashes.

How can I contact GitBowl support or developers?

You can reach the official GitBowl technical and customer support team by emailing mail.gitbowl@gmail.com.

GitBowl

GitBowl REST API v1

v1.0.0

Standard GitHub-compatible REST API. Supports Personal Access Tokens (PATs) and rate limits of 5,000 req/hr for authenticated requests.

OpenAPI Spec Generate Token

Authentication

Authorization: Bearer gbp_...

Pass Personal Access Tokens with the prefix gbp_.

Rate Limits

5,000 / hr (Auth) · 60 / hr (Anon)

Tracked via X-RateLimit-Remaining and reset headers.

GitHub Compatibility

Drop-in compatible schemas

Use with existing Octokit scripts or standard GitHub API SDKs.

GET/api/v1/user

Auth Required

5,000 / hour

Returns profile information for the user authenticated by the bearer token.

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer gbp_your_pat" https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/user

GET/api/v1/user/repos

Auth Required

5,000 / hour

List repositories that the authenticated user owns.

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer gbp_your_pat" https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/user/repos

POST/api/v1/user/repos

Auth Required

5,000 / hour

Create a new repository for the authenticated user.

curl -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer gbp_your_pat" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"name":"my-project","private":false}' https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/user/repos

GET/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}

60 / hr (unauth) | 5,000 / hr (auth)

Retrieve metadata for a repository.

curl https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world

GET/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/commits

60 / hr (unauth) | 5,000 / hr (auth)

List commit history for a repository in reverse chronological order.

curl https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world/commits

GET/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches

60 / hr (unauth) | 5,000 / hr (auth)

List all branches with their head commit SHAs.

curl https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world/branches

GET/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/contents/{path}

60 / hr (unauth) | 5,000 / hr (auth)

Fetch file contents base64-encoded or list directory items.

curl https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world/contents/README.md

PUT/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/contents/{path}

Auth Required

5,000 / hour

Creates or updates a file in the repository and generates a commit.

curl -X PUT -H "Authorization: Bearer gbp_your_pat" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"message":"Update README","content":"SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh"}' https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world/contents/README.md

GET/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls

60 / hr (unauth) | 5,000 / hr (auth)

List pull requests for a repository.

curl https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world/pulls?state=open

POST/api/v1/repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls

Auth Required

5,000 / hour

Create a new pull request between branches.

curl -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer gbp_your_pat" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"title":"Feature A","head":"feature-a","base":"main"}' https://gitbowl.dev/api/v1/repos/octocat/hello-world/pulls