20 Years of Git - How Versioning changed Technical Writing

Happy Birthday, Git!

On April 7, 2005, Linus Torvalds made the first commit to a new version control system: Git. What started as a quick fix for Linux kernel development has become the standard for software development—and far beyond. Git has also revolutionized technical documentation.

How has versioning evolved since the first commit? What does it mean for technical documents, especially in AsciiDoc? And what best practices help manage documentation efficiently? A look back—and forward.

The First Commit: The Beginning of Everything

Linus Torvalds was frustrated. The existing version control system, BitKeeper, suddenly became a paid product. The Linux community needed an alternative—fast. Within a few days, Torvalds wrote the first code for Git. The first commit from April 7, 2005 captures a snapshot of those hectic days:

commit e83c5163316f89bfbde7d9ab23ca2e25604af290 
Author: Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org> 
Date: Thu Apr 7 15:13:13 2005 -0700 

Initial revision

A simple comment: "Initial revision". Without knowing how big this system would become.

From Code to Content

Back then, version control was mainly a tool for developers. Today, technical writers also use Git for documentation—a trend that gained momentum with Docs-as-Code.

From SVN to Git: The Shift in Documentation

• Centralized systems like Apache Subversion (SVN) or even Microsoft Word with Track Changes used to dominate documentation.

• Git introduced decentralized, distributed workflows—ideal for remote teams and open-source documentation.

• Docs-as-Code established Git as the standard for technical documents, especially with AsciiDoc and Markdown.

Why? Because documentation often follows the same requirements as code: collaboration, traceability, versioning, and automation.

AsciiDoc + Git: An Unbeatable Duo

AsciiDoc has emerged as a powerful alternative to Markdown for technical documentation. It offers semantic structure, modular content, and excellent conversion options. Combined with Git, it brings huge benefits:

• Collaboration: Teams work on documents in parallel, without conflicts in binary formats like Word or PDF.

• Traceability: Every change is documented with a commit. Who changed what—and why?

• Automation: Continuous Integration (CI) can generate and publish documents automatically.

A typical workflow for AsciiDoc with Git looks like this:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/user/docs-repo.git

2. Make changes and commit:

   git add . git commit -m "Added chapter on API documentation"

3. Push changes:

   git push origin main

This way, technical documents can be seamlessly integrated into larger development processes.

Tips & Tricks: Better Versioning for Technical Documents

1. Use branches for major changes
   Work on new chapters or larger updates in separate branches before merging them into main.

2. Use atomic commits
   Keep changes small and thematically consistent. This makes debugging and reviewing easier.

3. Write clear commit messages
   Instead of “Update doc,” use “Added explanation on API authentication.” Clear messages help track changes.

4. Tag stable versions
   Mark stable versions of the documentation with tags, e.g.:

   git tag -a v1.0 -m "First published version" git push origin v1.0

5. Set up CI/CD for documentation automation
   With tools like GitHub Actions or GitLab CI/CD, documentation can be automatically generated and deployed on every commit.

Conclusion: Git is Changing the Way We Think About Documentation

Since the first commit, Git has evolved from a developer tool into a universal platform for collaborative work. Combined with AsciiDoc, it enables transparent, efficient, and scalable documentation—fully aligned with Docs-as-Code.

On April 7, we celebrate not just Git but also a new era of technical documentation. If you’re still managing your documentation manually, now is the time to switch. The future is versioned—and it starts today. 🚀