searxng/docs/dev/contribution_guide.rst

.. _how to contribute:

=================
How to contribute
=================

.. contents:: Contents
   :depth: 2
   :local:
   :backlinks: entry

Prime directives: Privacy, Hackability
======================================

SearXNG has two prime directives, **privacy-by-design and hackability** .  The
hackability comes in three levels:

- support of search engines
- plugins to alter search behaviour
- hacking SearXNG itself

Note the lack of "world domination" among the directives.  SearXNG has no
intention of wide mass-adoption, rounded corners, etc.  The prime directive
"privacy" deserves a separate chapter, as it's quite uncommon unfortunately.

Privacy-by-design
-----------------

SearXNG was born out of the need for a **privacy-respecting** search tool which
can be extended easily to maximize both, its search and its privacy protecting
capabilities.

A few widely used features work differently or turned off by default or not
implemented at all **as a consequence of privacy-by-design**.

If a feature reduces the privacy preserving aspects of searx, it should be
switched off by default or should not implemented at all.  There are plenty of
search engines already providing such features.  If a feature reduces the
protection of searx, users must be informed about the effect of choosing to
enable it.  Features that protect privacy but differ from the expectations of
the user should also be explained.

Also, if you think that something works weird with searx, it's might be because
of the tool you use is designed in a way to interfere with the privacy respect.
Submitting a bugreport to the vendor of the tool that misbehaves might be a good
feedback to reconsider the disrespect to its customers (e.g. ``GET`` vs ``POST``
requests in various browsers).

Remember the other prime directive of SearXNG is to be hackable, so if the above
privacy concerns do not fancy you, simply fork it.

  *Happy hacking.*

Code
====

.. _PEP8: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/
.. _Conventional Commits: https://www.conventionalcommits.org/
.. _Git Commit Good Practice: https://wiki.openstack.org/wiki/GitCommitMessages
.. _Structural split of changes:
    https://wiki.openstack.org/wiki/GitCommitMessages#Structural_split_of_changes
.. _gitmoji: https://gitmoji.carloscuesta.me/
.. _Semantic PR: https://github.com/zeke/semantic-pull-requests

.. sidebar:: Create good commits!

   - `Structural split of changes`_
   - `Conventional Commits`_
   - `Git Commit Good Practice`_
   - some like to use: gitmoji_
   - not yet active: `Semantic PR`_

In order to submit a patch, please follow the steps below:

- Follow coding conventions.

  - PEP8_ standards apply, except the convention of line length
  - Maximum line length is 120 characters

- The cardinal rule for creating good commits is to ensure there is only one
  *logical change* per commit / read `Structural split of changes`_

- Check if your code breaks existing tests.  If so, update the tests or fix your
  code.

- If your code can be unit-tested, add unit tests.

- Add yourself to the :origin:`AUTHORS.rst` file.

- Choose meaningful commit messages, read `Conventional Commits`_

  .. code::

     <type>[optional scope]: <description>

     [optional body]

     [optional footer(s)]

- Create a pull request.

For more help on getting started with SearXNG development, see :ref:`devquickstart`.


Translation
===========

Translation currently takes place on :ref:`weblate <translation>`.


.. _contrib docs:

Documentation
=============

.. _Sphinx: https://www.sphinx-doc.org
.. _reST: https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/restructuredtext/basics.html

.. sidebar:: The reST sources

   has been moved from ``gh-branch`` into ``master`` (:origin:`docs`).

The documentation is built using Sphinx_.  So in order to be able to generate
the required files, you have to install it on your system.  Much easier, use
our :ref:`makefile`.

Here is an example which makes a complete rebuild:

.. code:: sh

   $ make docs.clean docs.html
   ...
   The HTML pages are in dist/docs.

.. _make docs.live:

live build
----------

.. _sphinx-autobuild:
   https://github.com/executablebooks/sphinx-autobuild/blob/master/README.md

.. sidebar:: docs.clean

   It is recommended to assert a complete rebuild before deploying (use
   ``docs.clean``).

Live build is like WYSIWYG.  If you want to edit the documentation, its
recommended to use.  The Makefile target ``docs.live`` builds the docs, opens
URL in your favorite browser and rebuilds every time a reST file has been
changed.

.. code:: sh

   $ make docs.live
   ...
   The HTML pages are in dist/docs.
   ... Serving on http://0.0.0.0:8000
   ... Start watching changes

Live builds are implemented by sphinx-autobuild_.  Use environment
``$(SPHINXOPTS)`` to pass arguments to the sphinx-autobuild_ command.  Except
option ``--host`` (which is always set to ``0.0.0.0``) you can pass any
argument.  E.g to find and use a free port, use:

.. code:: sh

   $ SPHINXOPTS="--port 0" make docs.live
   ...
   ... Serving on http://0.0.0.0:50593
   ...


.. _deploy on github.io:

deploy on github.io
-------------------

To deploy documentation at :docs:`github.io <.>` use Makefile target :ref:`make
docs.gh-pages`, which builds the documentation and runs all the needed git add,
commit and push:

.. code:: sh

   $ make docs.clean docs.gh-pages