* [GitLab CI](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ci/blob/master/README.md) is a continuous integration (CI) server that is easy to integrate with GitLab.
* [GitLab packages (beta)](https://www.gitlab.com/downloads/) These packages contain GitLab and all its depencies (PostgreSQL, Redis, Nginx, Unicorn, etc.). They are made with [omnibus-gitlab](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/omnibus-gitlab/blob/master/README.md) that also contains the installation instructions. These packages currently support a reduced selection of GitLab's normal features. For instance, it is not yet possible to create/restore application backups or to use HTTPS.
* [GitLab virtual machine images](https://www.gitlab.com/downloads/) contain an operating system and a preinstalled GitLab. They are made with [GitLab Packer](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-packer/blob/master/README.md) that also contains the installation instructions.
* [GitLab Chef Cookbook](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cookbook-gitlab/blob/master/README.md) This cookbook can be used both for development installations and production installations. If you want to [contribute](CONTRIBUTE.md) to GitLab we suggest you follow the [development installation on a virtual machine with Vagrant](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cookbook-gitlab/blob/master/doc/development.md) instructions to install all testing dependencies.
* [Manual installation guide](doc/install/installation.md) This guide to set up a production server offers detailed and complete step-by-step instructions.
* [Digital Ocean 1-Click Application Install](https://www.digitalocean.com/blog_posts/host-your-git-repositories-in-55-seconds-with-gitlab) Have a new server up in 55 seconds. Digital Ocean uses SSD disks which is great for an IO intensive app such as GitLab. We recommend selecting a droplet with [1GB of memory](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq/blob/master/doc/install/requirements.md).
* [BitNami one-click installers](http://bitnami.com/stack/gitlab) This package contains both GitLab and GitLab CI. It is available as installer, virtual machine or for cloud hosting providers (Amazon Web Services/Azure/etc.).
* [GitLab recipes](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-recipes/) repository with unofficial guides for using GitLab with different software (operating systems, webservers, etc.) than the official version.
* [Installation guides](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlab-public-wiki/wiki/Unofficial-Installation-Guides) public wiki with unofficial guides to install GitLab on different operating systems.
Since 2011 GitLab is released on the 22nd of every month. Every new release includes an [upgrade guide](doc/update) and new features are detailed in the [Changelog](CHANGELOG).
It is recommended to follow a monthly upgrade schedule. Security releases come out when needed. For more information about the release process see the documentation for [monthly](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/blob/master/doc/release/monthly.md) and [security](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/blob/master/doc/release/security.md) releases.
* Features that will be in the next releases are listed on [the feedback and suggestions forum](http://feedback.gitlab.com/forums/176466-general) with the status [started](http://feedback.gitlab.com/forums/176466-general/status/796456) and [completed](http://feedback.gitlab.com/forums/176466-general/status/796457).
The Installation guide contains instructions on how to download an init script and run it automatically on boot. You can also start the init script manually:
* [Mailing list](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/gitlabhq) and [Stack Overflow](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/gitlab) are the best places to ask questions. For example you can use it if you have questions about: permission denied errors, invisible repos, can't clone/pull/push or with web hooks that don't fire. Please search for similar issues before posting your own, there's a good chance somebody else had the same issue you have now and has resolved it. There are a lot of helpful GitLab users there who may be able to help you quickly. If your particular issue turns out to be a bug, it will find its way from there to a fix.
* [Contributing guide](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md) describes how to submit merge requests and issues. Pull requests and issues not in line with the guidelines in this document will be closed.
* [Support subscription](http://www.gitlab.com/subscription/) connects you to the knowledge of GitLab experts that will resolve your issues and answer your questions.
* [#gitlab IRC channel](http://www.freenode.net/) on Freenode to get in touch with other GitLab users and get help, it's managed by James Newton (newton), Drew Blessing (dblessing), and Sam Gleske (sag47).
* [Book](http://www.packtpub.com/gitlab-repository-management/book) written by GitLab enthusiast Jonathan M. Hethey is unofficial but it offers a good overview.
