RADAR Release v1.23: Import from GitLab repositories

Published: 23.09.2025

Since end of 2024, RADAR provides a convenient import option for data directly from GitHub repositories (RADAR News v 1.22). This functon has now been extended in a logical and demand-driven way: RADAR v 1.23 now also supports the import of content from GitLab repositories.

GitLab is a widely used platform for version control, collaborative software development and project management. Many research projects use GitLab to centrally manage source codes, data sets and associated documentation.

With the new import function, this content can now be transferred directly and conveniently to RADAR with just a few clicks - manual uploading is no longer necessary. The GitLab import is particularly suitable for projects that are based on continuous software development or where research data is generated and organized by software processes.

The connection of GitLab to RADAR enables the assignment of DOIs for specific versions of a GitLab repository. This makes software versions clearly citable and allows them to be linked to other digital resources or research data. Storage and publication in RADAR also ensures long-term availability of the content - something that GitLab alone does not guarantee.

RADAR supports the import from both public and private GitLab repositories. A token must be entered for the latter. Both the standard branch and an individual branch can be imported.

Please note: The GitLab folder is filtered out by default and not imported!

Restrictions in the beta version:

The import option from GitLab repositories - as well as the GitHub import function - is still in the beta phase until further notice. We would like to emphasize that some functions are not yet supported. Known so far are:

Symbolic links: These are not processed during import.
Git Large File Storage (LFS): Files that are managed via Git LFS cannot be imported.

We are actively working on further improving the GitHub import and welcome feedback.

Activation of GitLab / GitHub import:

The use of GitLab / GitHub import must be activated by FIZ Karlsruhe. This can be done for the entire RADAR contract or for specific workspaces. After activation, the additional table tab “GitHub/GitLab repository BETA” is available to users to create data packages.

Would you like to use the new function? - Contact us at info [at] radar-service.eu (info[at]radar-service[dot]eu) .

Further information on all new features and improvements in RADAR Software Release v 1.23.1 (f) can be found here.

Note: This software release also affects the community-specific publicaion services for research data based on RADAR:

RADAR4Chem, funded by NFDI4Chem (DFG Project Number 441958208)
RADAR4Culture, funded by NFDI4Culture (DFG Project Number 441958017)
RADAR4Memory, funded by NFDI4Memory (DFG Project Number 501609550)