graphql-api VS obsidian-releases

I created an open source library that turns structured text data (YAML) in a Git repository on the fly into a GraphQL API with CRUD queries / mutations.

All that is needed in the repository is a plain text GraphQL schema file that defines what the data structures look like. The Git repository itself can be located on GitHub, GitLab, or in the local filesystem.

https://github.com/commitspark/graphql-api

I'm working on https://commitspark.com , a headless CMS where all data is stored in a GitHub repository with branching/merging workflow support for content.

Reading/writing content from/to GitHub happens through an Open Source API library I released. For the content data schema, I simply require a plaintext GraphQL type file inside the repository. The schema then automatically determines the API structure as well as the editor-friendly UI that I can generate on the Commitspark website when you log in via GitHub.

Even though Commitspark is already publicly available, it is still 100% a side-project that doesn't earn me any money (yet).

Hi HN,

I built Commitspark, a Git-based headless CMS that runs on top of GitHub.

The primary purpose is to enable non-technical content editors to take advantage of Git workflows based on branches, pull requests and merges, without them having to learn Git.

Behind the scenes, everything content-related is driven by GraphQL and an open source library I released ( https://github.com/commitspark/graphql-api ), and for all the workflow features like PRs, commenting and diffs, I built a CMS-centric view onto GitHub using the GitHub API.

For content editors, this should feel the same as working in any other headless CMS, except now with support for much more powerful workflows. For developers, this means all the strengths of Git and GitHub can now also be applied to content (pipelines, tags, commit hashes for caching, branches for migrations, etc.).

There are many other things I am also excited about here that I'm happy to discuss, so please leave your questions below.

Have you considered that content might come from Git? If so, how would content branches fit into this?

(Disclosure: I'm building a library that turns a Git repository into a branch-enabled GraphQL content management API. See https://github.com/contentlab-sh/contentlab )

The closest editor that follows our first principle is Obsidian editor:

The solution was already installed on both my computer and my phone: Obsidian.

> why does open source need to "win"

Open source does not need to win.

But your ability to be in control of your computer needs to be preserved. A proprietary fridge cannot control your diet, while a proprietary App Store can control what software you install on YOUR phone (unless you live in EU, hello DMA!). The tail wags the dog, so to speak. Proprietary software has also been shown to break user workflows or remove functions in an update while leaving users with no choice whatsoever.

One alternative to having open source win is to ensure software must come with a robust warranty and other assurances you expect from the things you buy. EU's CRA will make software vulnerabilities in WiFi routers covered by warranty, for example.

You can also ensure robust and interoperable data storage options. For example, https://obsidian.md/ stores all notes in Markdown, not holding the data hostage in case users will not like how future versions will work. GDPR actually has a provision for data portability (Art. 20), but it does not seem to have a requisite effect on the industry yet.

And until the above issues are solved, open source remains the best way to ensure that a software tail cannot wag your computer dog.

[2] https://obsidian.md/

So I've had my fair share of personal websites and blogs. I have built them on stacks ranging from the most basic HTML and CSS, to hosted frameworks like Wordpress and Laravel, to the more modern single page applications built in Vue and React. For a simple content blog I think you can't go wrong with a Static Site Generator though. These days I am almost exclusively writing everything in Obsidian. Which is great because its all in standard markdown format. This allows for a really neat and easy content publishing workflow.

Consider making an Obsidian[^1] plugin, or writing to Obsidian-compatible Markdown files :)

[^1]: https://obsidian.md/

Obsidian is a writing application created to allow for offline / private note taking in markdown format, in an interface that looks a lot like our regular programming IDE. It is very flexible, with a good collection of community plugins that you can use to customize Obsidian to your heart contents.

Obsidian support via our Obsidian Plugin