# Wikimedia Gerrit

> instance of Gerrit run by the Wikimedia Foundation

**Wikidata**: [Q106171018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106171018)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wikimedia-gerrit

## Summary
Wikimedia Gerrit is a specific instance of the Gerrit code review system operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Launched in September 2011, it serves as the central platform for managing code contributions and reviews for Wikimedia projects. The system is accessible via the domain `gerrit.wikimedia.org` and is primarily documented in English.

## Key Facts
- **Operator**: Wikimedia Foundation
- **Instance Of**: A Gerrit run by the Wikimedia Foundation; classified generally as a website.
- **Launch Date**: September 2011 (Start time: 2011-09-00)
- **Primary URL**: https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/
- **Primary Language**: English
- **Documentation URL**: https://wikitech.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gerrit (Language: English)
- **Commons Category**: Wikimedia Gerrit
- **Sitelink Count**: 2 (across Wikipedia projects)
- **Interwiki Prefixes**:
  - `gerrit`: Active since March 22, 2012; resolves to `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/$1`
  - `git`: Resolves to `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/g/$1`
- **Related Web Concept**: Part of the broader "website" class, which encompasses sets of related web pages served from a single domain (a concept with 158 sitelinks and an inception date of 1990).

## FAQs
**What is the primary function of Wikimedia Gerrit?**
It acts as a code review tool specifically configured for the Wikimedia Foundation's development workflow. The system allows developers to submit, review, and merge code changes before they are deployed to live projects.

**When did the Wikimedia Foundation begin using this specific Gerrit instance?**
The service officially started operations in September 2011. This marked the transition to a dedicated infrastructure for managing the foundation's source code repositories.

**How can users access specific code reviews or repositories through interwiki links?**
Users can utilize the `gerrit` prefix to jump directly to review pages using the format `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/$1`, a feature enabled since March 2012. Alternatively, the `git` prefix directs users to repository views via `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/g/$1`.

**In which languages is the system and its documentation available?**
The primary interface and the main documentation page at `wikitech.wikimedia.org` are provided in English. The system's metadata also indicates connections to the "commons" and "media" language contexts.

## Why It Matters
Wikimedia Gerrit is critical to the technical infrastructure of the Wikimedia ecosystem, serving as the gatekeeper for all code changes entering the foundation's projects. By centralizing code review, it ensures that contributions from the global community are vetted for quality, security, and compatibility before deployment. This system solves the logistical challenge of managing thousands of developers and millions of lines of code across diverse projects like Wikipedia, providing a standardized workflow that maintains the stability of the world's largest knowledge repositories. Without this dedicated instance, the coordination required to keep the Wikimedia software stack secure and up-to-date would be significantly more fragmented and prone to error.

## Notable For
- **Specific Implementation**: It is a distinct instance of the open-source Gerrit tool, customized and hosted exclusively for the Wikimedia Foundation.
- **Interwiki Integration**: It pioneered specific interwiki prefixes (`gerrit` and `git`) in March 2012 to streamline navigation between wikis and code repositories.
- **Centralized Governance**: It represents the singular point of entry for code review for the entire Wikimedia Foundation, distinguishing it from independent Gerrit instances run by other organizations.
- **Documentation Standardization**: It maintains a dedicated, English-language technical documentation page on Wikitech, ensuring consistent developer guidance.

## Body

### Core Identity and Classification
Wikimedia Gerrit is defined as an instance of the Gerrit software run by the Wikimedia Foundation. In broader classification terms, it falls under the category of a "website," which is technically defined as a set of related web pages served from a single web domain. While the general concept of a website has an inception date of 1990 and includes 158 related sitelinks in the knowledge base, Wikimedia Gerrit itself is a specific deployment with only 2 sitelinks. The entity is categorized on Wikimedia Commons under the title "Wikimedia Gerrit."

### Operational History and Timeline
The system was brought online by the Wikimedia Foundation in September 2011. This start time marks the beginning of its service for the organization. A significant expansion in its integration occurred on March 22, 2012, when specific interwiki prefixes were established to facilitate easier access. These prefixes allow for direct linking from wikis to the code review system, streamlining the developer experience.

### Technical Infrastructure and Access
The primary access point for the system is the URL `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/`. The platform operates primarily in English, as indicated by the language qualifier attached to both the main website and its description page. The official description and technical details are hosted at `https://wikitech.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gerrit`, which is also designated as an English-language resource. The system supports two distinct interwiki prefixes for navigation:
- The `gerrit` prefix, active since March 22, 2012, maps to the review URL structure `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/r/$1`.
- The `git` prefix maps to the repository URL structure `https://gerrit.wikimedia.org/g/$1`.

### Ecosystem and Related Concepts
The entity is deeply connected to the broader "website" class, sharing the fundamental characteristic of being a set of pages served from a single domain. However, its specific role is distinct from the general inception of the web in 1990. The system is linked to the "commons" and "media" language contexts, suggesting its utility extends to media file management and common infrastructure projects within the Wikimedia ecosystem. The low sitelink count of 2 indicates a focused, specialized usage compared to general-purpose websites, reflecting its role as a backend tool for developers rather than a public-facing content portal.