# Fossil Scm Usage > This skill should be used when the user asks to "fossil commit", "fossil branch", "fossil merge", "fossil clone", "fossil sync", "fossil ticket", "fossil stash", "fossil timeline", mentions working with a Fossil repository, asks about Fossil vs Git differences, or needs help with Fossil SCM commands and workflows. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/fossil-scm-usage` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/fossil-scm-usage` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/fossil-scm-usage/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/fossil-scm-usage --- # Fossil SCM Command Line Reference Comprehensive guidance for managing projects with Fossil SCM from the command line, covering repository management, commits, branching, multi-user workflows, and the ticketing system. ## Overview Fossil is a distributed version control system combining source code management with an integrated wiki, ticketing system, and web interface—all in a single executable. Unlike Git, Fossil emphasizes simplicity, autosync by default, and feature-centric branching. **Key Concepts:** | Concept | Description | |---------|-------------| | Repository | SQLite database file (`.fossil`) containing all project history | | Working checkout | Directory where files are edited, linked via `fossil open` | | Artifact | Any versioned item (file, commit, ticket) identified by SHA hash | | Autosync | Default behavior that automatically pushes/pulls on commit/update | ## Core Differences from Git Understanding these differences prevents common mistakes: 1. **Autosync is ON by default** - Commits automatically push, updates automatically pull 2. **Branches created during commit** - Use `fossil commit --branch name` not `git checkout -b` 3. **Single repository file** - All history in one `.fossil` SQLite file 4. **Built-in features** - Wiki, tickets, forum included (not separate tools) 5. **No staging area** - All changed files commit together (use `fossil commit file1 file2` for partial) ## Essential Workflows ### Starting a New Project ```bash fossil init myproject.fossil mkdir myproject && cd myproject fossil open ../myproject.fossil fossil add . fossil commit -m "Initial commit" ``` ### Cloning and Working ```bash fossil clone https://example.com/repo project.fossil mkdir work && cd work fossil open ../project.fossil ``` ### Feature Branch Workflow ```bash # Start feature (creates branch during commit) fossil commit --branch feature-login -m "Start login feature" # Work on feature fossil commit -m "Add login form" fossil commit -m "Add validation" # Merge back to trunk fossil update trunk fossil merge --integrate feature-login fossil commit -m "Merged feature-login" ``` ### Collaborative Workflow (Autosync) With autosync enabled (default), collaboration is automatic: ```bash # Alice commits - automatically pushes fossil commit -m "Alice's changes" # Bob updates - automatically pulls Alice's changes fossil update ``` ### Handling Mistakes ```bash # Move bad commit to "mistake" branch fossil amend HEAD --branch mistake fossil amend HEAD --close fossil update trunk # Undo last update/merge/revert fossil undo # Revert uncommitted changes fossil revert ``` ## Quick Reference | Task | Command | |------|---------| | Create repo | `fossil init repo.fossil` | | Clone repo | `fossil clone URL repo.fossil` | | Open repo | `fossil open repo.fossil` | | Check status | `fossil status` or `fossil changes` | | Add files | `fossil add file` or `fossil addremove` | | Commit | `fossil commit -m "msg"` | | Update | `fossil update` | | New branch | `fossil commit --branch name` | | Switch branch | `fossil update branchname` | | List branches | `fossil branch list` | | Merge | `fossil merge branchname` | | Cherry-pick | `fossil merge --cherrypick HASH` | | View diff | `fossil diff` | | View history | `fossil timeline` | | File history | `fossil finfo filename` | | Annotate/blame | `fossil annotate filename` | | Stash changes | `fossil stash save -m "msg"` | | Apply stash | `fossil stash pop` | | Sync manually | `fossil sync` | | Push only | `fossil push` | | Pull only | `fossil pull` | | Add ticket | `fossil ticket add title "..." status "Open"` | | Update ticket | `fossil ticket set UUID status "Closed"` | | Ticket history | `fossil ticket history UUID` | | List tickets | `fossil ticket show "All Tickets"` | | Web UI | `fossil ui` | ## Sync and Remote Operations ### Autosync Settings ```bash # Check current setting fossil settings autosync # Enable (default) fossil settings autosync on # Disable for manual control fossil settings autosync off # Pull only (no auto-push) fossil settings autosync pullonly ``` ### Manual Sync ```bash fossil sync # Full sync (push + pull) fossil push # Push only fossil pull # Pull only fossil sync --private # Include private branches ``` ### Remote Management ```bash fossil remote # Show current remote fossil remote add URL # Set default remote fossil remote list # List all remotes ``` ## Stash Operations ```bash fossil stash save -m "WIP" # Save and revert working dir fossil stash snapshot -m "msg" # Save but keep working dir fossil stash list # List stashes fossil stash show # Show most recent as diff fossil stash pop # Apply and remove fossil stash apply # Apply but keep fossil stash drop 1 # Delete specific stash ``` ## Tags ```bash # Add during commit fossil commit --tag v1.0.0 -m "Release" # Add to existing commit fossil tag add v1.0.0 HASH # List tags fossil tag list # Remove tag fossil tag cancel v1.0.0 HASH ``` ## Important Settings | Setting | Description | |---------|-------------| | `autosync` | Auto push/pull on commit/update | | `editor` | Text editor for commit messages | | `ignore-glob` | Patterns for files to ignore | | `binary-glob` | Patterns for binary files | | `case-sensitive` | Case sensitivity for filenames | ```bash fossil settings # List all fossil settings autosync off # Set local fossil settings autosync off --global # Set global fossil unset autosync # Revert to global ``` ## Detecting Fossil Repositories A Fossil working checkout contains either: - `_FOSSIL_` file (Unix/Linux) - `.fslckout` file (Windows or when using `--dotfiles`) Check with: `ls -la _FOSSIL_ .fslckout 2>/dev/null` ## Web Interface ```bash fossil ui # Open local web UI in browser fossil ui --port 9000 # Specific port fossil server --port 8080 # External access ``` ## Additional Resources ### Reference Files For comprehensive command documentation with all options and examples: - **`references/commands.md`** - Complete Fossil command reference including: - Repository setup (init, clone, open, close) - File operations (add, rm, mv, status) - Commit options and amending - Branching operations - Merging and conflict resolution - Ticketing system commands - Diff and history commands - Undo and revert operations Consult `references/commands.md` for detailed syntax and options not covered in this quick reference. ## Version Information Based on Fossil SCM version 2.27. Use `fossil help COMMAND` for authoritative documentation on the installed version. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/egravert) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.