Fast, insightful and highly customizable Git history analysis.
Overview
Hercules is a swift and highly adaptable analysis engine for Git repositories, crafted with the Go programming language. This tool is equipped with all the essential features and works seamlessly through two command-line interfaces: Hercules (the main Go program) and Labours (a Python script). Together, they dig deep into your Git commit history using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) approach, analyzing everything from contributions to code quality.
Installation
Getting started with Hercules is a breeze. Follow these steps to set it up:
- Download the Hercules binary from the Releases page.
- Install Labours using Python’s package manager with the command:
pip3 install labours. - If you’re building from the source, make sure you have Go v1.11 and protoc installed, then clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/src-d/hercules
cd hercules
make
pip3 install -e .
How to Use Hercules
Using Hercules is like navigating an intelligent map that helps you visualize the intricate paths your Git history has taken. Here’s how to put it into action:
- For a burndown analysis, you can execute the following command:
hercules --burndown https://github.com/go-git/go-git labours -m burndown-project --resample month
hercules --burndown --burndown-files labours -m burndown-file
hercules --burndown --burndown-people labours -m burndown-person
Analogy to Understand!
Think of Hercules as a powerful microscope, able to zoom into the peculiarities of your Git repository’s history. Just like the microscope reveals fine structures and details in biology, Hercules exposes the nitty-gritty of code changes, contributors, and project dynamics. The different commands like --burndown or --burndown-people act as various magnifying lenses, providing you with tailored views for specific analysis.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues while using Hercules, don’t fret! Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
- If you hit a memory error during analysis, try caching the repository to disk instead of running everything in-memory. Use:
hercules --burndown --pb https://github.com/git/git tmprepo-cache - Should you face “bad Unicode errors,” filter the output with:
python3 fix_yaml_unicode.py. - For any commands not working as expected, ensure dependencies are installed, especially for Python’s labours tool, which relies on NumPy and SciPy.
- Having trouble finding specific insights? Check the plugin system in Hercules for custom analysis options.
- If you’re uncertain about any flags or commands, just use
hercules --helpfor guidance. - For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.
At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.
Conclusion
With Hercules, you can effortlessly analyze Git history with a variety of built-in analyses and powerful customizations. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to dive deep into your project’s insights. So get started with Hercules, and watch your Git history unfold like never before!

