GitLab Releases Web IDE to easier inside of GitLab

The open source code hosting service GitLab announced the release of the  Web IDE, allowing users to edit files directly on the GitLab website without having to install any programs.

The idea of the Web IDE was initially proposed by Jacob Schatz, a developer of the company. Jacob Schatz noticed that it was challenging for non-programmers to edit files and commit changes, so he first developed a proof of concept prototype and started the development of the Web IDE. Jacob Schatz had it delete the page refresh function when switching files and edited through branches instead of each file.

Image: Gitlab

In the early stages of development, it was called the “Repo editor“, and GitLab‘s goal was to provide a truly integrated development experience that was accessible even in the GitLab user interface without having to install any software. So the idea evolved from the “repo editor” to the “Web IDE.” For more information on how GitLab’s Web IDE goes from “multi-file editor” to new functionality, check out this blog post. GitLab 10.7 includes the first version of the Web IDE.