Renovate Bot - Repository Onboarding Guide

Welcome! This repository serves as the central documentation and configuration hub for Renovate Bot across our Forgejo instance.

Renovate automatically monitors your codebases for outdated software dependencies, Docker images, and package managers, creating automated Pull Requests to keep our software secure and up-to-date.

How to Enable Renovate on Your Repository

Renovate scans projects dynamically. To opt your repository into automated updates, simply add a renovate.json file to the root of your default branch.

Once the file is detected on the next scheduled bot loop, Renovate will automatically analyze your project files and begin submitting Pull Requests.

Recommended Starter Configuration

Copy and paste this standard blueprint directly into your new renovate.json file. It activates the recommended community settings, keeps noise low by bypassing dashboard issues, and safely spaces out GitHub Actions updates:

{
  "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
  "extends": [
    "config:recommended",
    ":disableDependencyDashboard"
  ],
  "prCreation": "immediate",
  "packageRules": [
    {
      "matchManagers": ["github-actions"],
      "enabled": true,
      "minimumReleaseAge": "7 days"
    }
  ]
}

Configuration Key Breakdown

$schema: Points your IDE directly to the official JSON schema validations. It enables live autocomplete and error checking while editing rules inside your repository editor.
extends: Inherits the core community best practices (config:recommended) while skipping standalone status issues (:disableDependencyDashboard) to keep repository issue trackers clean.
prCreation: immediate: Directs the bot to open Pull Requests as soon as updates are discovered rather than queueing them up.
packageRules: Implements specialized guardrails. In this starter config, it ensures any github-actions dependency must be at least 7 days old before a PR is opened, letting community releases stabilize first.

Official Resources & Documentation

For advanced adjustments, custom grouping strategies, or multi-ecosystem tracking, refer directly to the official project resources:

Main Documentation: Renovate Bot Docs Home
Configuration Rules: Full List of Configuration Options
Ecosystem Presets: Pre-Built Preset Rulesets