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Category: Development & EngineeringNo API key required

fossil-ui

This skill should be used when the user asks to "convert git to fossil", "export repo to fossil", "browse git history in fossil", "launch fossil UI", or "view timeline in fossil". Exports current git repository to Fossil database and launches web UI for browsing.

personAuthor: jakexiaohubgithub

Fossil UI

Export current git repository to Fossil database and launch web UI for browsing.

Workflow

1. Verify Prerequisites

which fossil && fossil version

If fossil not installed:

# macOS
brew install fossil

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install fossil

2. Generate Database Path

Store in temp directory with project-based naming:

/tmp/fossil-ui/<project-dirname>.fossil

Example: /Users/choi/.claude -> /tmp/fossil-ui/claude.fossil

mkdir -p /tmp/fossil-ui

3. Clean Existing Database

Remove existing database before creating new one (ephemeral usage):

rm -f /tmp/fossil-ui/<name>.fossil

4. Export and Import

git fast-export --all | fossil import --git /tmp/fossil-ui/<name>.fossil

5. Launch Fossil UI

fossil ui --page timeline /tmp/fossil-ui/<name>.fossil

If port 8080 is in use:

fossil ui --page timeline -P 8081 /tmp/fossil-ui/<name>.fossil

Browser opens automatically to timeline view. Press Ctrl+C to stop the server.

Notes

  • Fossil admin password is displayed during import (save for UI admin access)
  • Database is self-contained single file
  • Verify import: fossil info -R /tmp/fossil-ui/<name>.fossil
  • Temp files are cleaned on system reboot