Scott Chacon, co-founder of GitButler and former GitHub co-founder, and Kiril Videlov, CTO with a rich fintech background, discuss making version control simpler. They share how they are building a modern Git client aimed at enhancing developer interactions, akin to Google Docs. The duo elaborates on their use of Rust, the challenges of optimizing Git's functionalities, and the balance between functional and object-oriented programming. They also share laughs about their dad joke culture, emphasizing a lighthearted team atmosphere.
GitButler aims to simplify the version control process by refining Git branching, facilitating continuous saving and sharing of work.
The co-founders draw inspiration from past technologies to improve user interactions with Git, aiming for more intuitive management.
Using Rust for development provides GitButler with performance advantages and robust safety features, enhancing the application's efficiency.
Deep dives
Introduction to GitButler and Its Founders
Scott Chacon, a co-founder of GitHub, and Kirill Wedeloff, a software engineer, have established GitButler as an innovative company focused on enhancing Git branching functionality using Rust. Their previous achievements within version control systems and existing technologies like GitHub and Sturdy deeply influence their current endeavors. The duo emphasizes making version control more user-friendly and akin to collaborative tools, like Google Docs, where progress is saved continuously rather than requiring manual commits. Their background sets a strong foundation for GitButler’s mission to rethink user interactions with version control while continuously improving developer experiences.
Challenges with Current Git Functionality
The discussion highlights the challenges associated with Git's existing architecture, particularly the overloaded nature of Git commits. Currently, developers use commits for saving work, sharing changes, and documenting changes, causing a muddled workflow. GitButler aims to segregate these functions effectively, allowing for continuous saving and sharing of work without creating excess overhead through commits. This refinement seeks to alleviate the frustration developers face in managing their Git work efficiently while improving collaboration.
Innovative Features and Inspirations from Other Systems
GitButler draws inspiration from various previous systems, including centralized version control systems that offered clear active file statuses and improvements from past products like Sturdy. The team acknowledges the necessity to learn from the strengths of older systems to make Git management more intuitive. By rethinking the traditional model, GitButler intends to transform how users perceive Git branching and improve practical functionalities like reviewing work in progress without cumbersome commits. This innovative approach reflects a dedication to enhancing existing concepts while embracing lessons from past technologies.
Technical Foundation and Use of Rust
The decision to build GitButler using Rust stems from its robust ecosystem and performance advantages, facilitating easier integration with existing tools and systems. The team has embraced the Rust programming language for its proficiency in managing Git data structures while also enabling seamless user interface implementations through frameworks like Tori. The commitment to leveraging Rust ensures that GitButler maintains a competitive edge, enabling features that enhance performance while avoiding the pitfalls of slower languages. This choice also promotes safety and security in building a user-friendly and efficient application.
Community Engagement and Future Aspirations
GitButler emphasizes building in public and engaging with the Rust community through platforms like Discord, where collaboration and feedback are integral to their growth. The team’s commitment to transparency fosters a community-driven environment, with aspirations to create high-quality tools and features that continue to evolve based on user needs. They express pride in the Rust ecosystem's approachability and the overall quality of libraries, suggesting a bright future for both GitButler and the Rust community as they work together to craft better software solutions. This proactive stance positions GitButler as a meaningful contributor to the ongoing evolution of version control.
Version control is a critical part of any modern software project and git is the most popular tool for the job. But it can be complex and confusing, especially for beginners.
The team behind GitButler believes there is a better way.
They are building a modern Git client that streamlines the process of managing branches, backing up your work, and more. We hear from co-founders Scott Chacon and Kiril Videlov about how they're making Git easier for everyone -- all without sacrificing the power and flexibility that makes Git so popular in the first place.
About GitButler
Git Branching, Refined — that's the promise of GitButler. GitButler is a Git client that helps you manage your Git branches more effectively. GitButler records and backups up your work, helps with your code and much more. Their focus is everything after writing code in your editor and before sharing it on GitHub. The client is written in Rust, by the way.
About Scott Chacon
Scott Chacon is a co-founder of GitButler. Previously, he was a co-founder at GitHub. Scott is the author of the famous Pro Git book (which taught me Git, thank you very much) and an investor in a number of companies through his incubator, SCNE. He somehow also found the time to get a B2 in German.
About Kiril Videlov
Kiril Videlov is a co-founder and CTO of GitButler. He has a background in software engineering, especially in the fields of fintech and code analysis. He is a YC alum and has a Master's degree in Computer Science.
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Links From The Episode (In Chronological Order)
sturdy - Kiril's earlier excursion into version control
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