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Gitlines

Gitlines represent GitHub’s core collaborative functions commiting, merging, branching, and forking. Along each Gitline, there are solid or hollow nodes. Gitlines can be represented literally — as in, true to product UI — or modified to scale up or shift based on design and layout needs. We’ve even included them in paintings and illustrations.

A visual showing many of the available Gitlines in GitHub's illustration library.

Scaling detail

Gitlines are subtle elements that make our layouts more ownable. They should never be a central feature. Gitlines are primarily used as accents to help draw the eye to certain elements, and rarely are the main character of a composition.

At every scale of illustration, the Gitlines should have a consistent feeling thickness.

Two visuals side by side. the left visual shows a git line in an abstract visual, the right visual shows a git line launching a mascot into the air.

Usage

Like our shapes or hero illustrations, Gitlines should show up to reinforce the messaging and branding. Gitlines are a small ornamental detail, and shouldn’t show up in a distracting or attention grabbing way. Occasionally show up on their own as borders or edge treatment in low-branding situations, but more often should be used to accentuate the main subject of the visual.

An example of a powerpoint slide, showing a gitline surrounding a number claim.

Gitlines can be used to contour elements, to help accent the top layer of a shape.

An example of a large piece of background art. Ducky flies through the air over top of a set of abstract shapes.

Or Gitlines can be used to launch mascots into the air.

Two examples side by side. The left visual shows a git line launching Mona into the air, the right visual shows a git line launching Ducky into the air.