# Git-review

> A command-line tool for Git / Gerrit to submit a change or to fetch an existing one

**Wikidata**: [Q134932087](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134932087)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/git-review

## Summary
Git-review is a free software command-line tool designed to facilitate code review processes by integrating Git with Gerrit. It allows developers to submit changes for review or fetch existing changes from a repository directly from the command line. The tool is notably utilized within the OpenStack platform.

## Key Facts
*   **Category:** Classified as free software and a command-line interface.
*   **Primary Function:** Used for code review, specifically to submit changes to or fetch existing ones from Git/Gerrit.
*   **Platform:** Associated with the OpenStack platform.
*   **Technology Base:** Based on the `stestr` test runner.
*   **Dependencies:** Interacts with Git and Gerrit systems (identified in source as tool for Git/Gerrit).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Git-review used for?
A: Git-review is used to automate the interaction between a local Git repository and a remote Gerrit code review system. It allows users to submit code changes for review and fetch existing changes created by others.

### Q: Is Git-review free to use?
A: Yes, Git-review is classified as free software, meaning it can be freely run, studied, changed, and distributed.

### Q: What kind of interface does Git-review use?
A: Git-review operates through a command-line interface, relying on text commands rather than a graphical user interface.

### Q: With which platforms is Git-review associated?
A: Git-review is specifically cited as a tool used on the OpenStack platform.

## Why It Matters
Git-review serves as a critical workflow utility for developers working in environments that utilize Gerrit for code review, such as the OpenStack project. By providing a dedicated command-line interface, it streamlines the often complex Git commands required to push patches to a Gerrit server or pull down remote changes for local testing. This abstraction lowers the barrier to entry for contributors and increases development velocity by standardizing the submission and retrieval of code reviews. As a piece of free software, it ensures that these collaborative tools remain accessible to the open-source community, reinforcing the iterative nature of modern software development where peer review is essential for code quality and stability.

## Notable For
*   **Gerrit Integration:** Specifically designed to bridge Git version control with Gerrit code review systems.
*   **OpenStack Usage:** A recognized tool within the OpenStack development ecosystem.
*   **CLI Efficiency:** Provides a text-based interface for rapid command execution without GUI overhead.
*   **Free Software:** Distributed with full freedoms to study and modify the source code.

## Body
### Functionality and Use
Git-review is a specialized utility that extends the capabilities of the Git version control system into the domain of code review. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the submission of code changes to a Gerrit server. Instead of using standard Git push commands with specific syntax required by Gerrit (such as `HEAD:refs/for/branch`), users can utilize git-review to automate this process. Conversely, the tool simplifies the task of fetching remote changes, allowing developers to easily download and test patches submitted by other contributors.

### Technical Classification
The software is categorized as a **command-line interface**, meaning it is operated entirely through a text terminal. It is further classified as **free software**, adhering to the philosophy that users should have the liberty to run, study, and redistribute the program.

### Development and Platform
Git-review is integrated into the **OpenStack** ecosystem, serving as a standard tool for contributors to that project. Technically, the tool is built upon **stestr**, a test runner framework, which is referenced in its development documentation. It is distinct from general Git tools in that it is purpose-built for the Gerrit workflow, making it a niche but essential utility for specific open-source infrastructure.

## References

1. [Gerrit/git-review](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Gerrit/git-review)
2. [Contribution Overview — git-review documentation](https://docs.opendev.org/opendev/git-review/latest/developing.html#developing-git-review)
3. [Source](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Gerrit/git-review#Installation)