# [Ghost](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost) [![Build Status](https://travis-ci.org/TryGhost/Ghost.svg?branch=master)](https://travis-ci.org/TryGhost/Ghost)

Ghost is a free, open, simple blogging platform that's available to anyone who wants to use it. Lovingly created and maintained by [John O'Nolan](http://twitter.com/JohnONolan) + [Hannah Wolfe](http://twitter.com/ErisDS) + an amazing group of [contributors](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/contributors).

Visit the project's website at <http://ghost.org> &bull; docs on <http://support.ghost.org>.

## Getting Involved

Want to report a bug, request a feature, contribute or translate Ghost? Check out our in-depth guide to [Contributing to Ghost](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md). We need all the help we can get! You can also join in with our [community](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost#community) to keep up-to-date and meet other Ghosters.

## Getting Started

There are **two** main ways to get started with Ghost, take care to use the method which best suits your needs.

**Please note** - the downloadable zip files we provide on [Ghost.org](http://ghost.org/download) are pre-built packages designed for getting started quickly. Cloning from the git repository requires you to install several dependencies and build the assets yourself. 

### Getting Started Guide for Bloggers

If you just want to get a Ghost blog running in the fastest time possible, this method is for you.

For detailed instructions for various platforms visit the [Ghost Installation Guide](http://support.ghost.org/installation/). If you get stuck, help is available on [our support site](http://support.ghost.org/).

1. Install [Node.js](http://nodejs.org) - Ghost requires **Node v0.10.x**
1. Download the latest Ghost package from [Ghost.org](http://ghost.org/download). 
   **If you cloned the GitHub repository you should follow the instructions [for developers](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost#getting-started-guide-for-developers) here.**
1. Create a new directory where you would like to run the code, and un-zip the package to that location.
1. Fire up a Terminal, the Node Command Prompt or shell and change directory to the root of the Ghost application (where config.example.js and index.js are)
1. run `npm install --production` to install the node dependencies. If you see `error Error: ENOENT` on this step, make sure you are in the project directory and try again.
1. To start ghost, run `npm start`
1. Visit `http://localhost:2368/` in your web browser or go to `http://localhost:2368/ghost` to log in

Check out the [Documentation](http://support.ghost.org/) for more detailed instructions, or get in touch via the [forum](http://ghost.org/forum) if you get stuck.



### Getting Started Guide for Developers

If you're a theme, app or core developer, or someone comfortable getting up and running from a `git clone`, this method is for you.

If you clone the GitHub repository, you will need to build a number of assets using grunt.

Please do **NOT** use the master branch of Ghost in production. If you are using git to deploy to production, please use the latest [release](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/releases) or the [stable](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/tree/stable) branch which contains the latest release.

#### Quickstart:

1. `npm install -g grunt-cli`
1. `npm install`
1. `grunt init` (and `grunt prod` if you want to run Ghost in production mode)
1. `npm start`

Full instructions & troubleshooting tips can be found in the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md) under the heading "[Working on Ghost Core](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#working-on-ghost-core)".

Check out the [Documentation](http://support.ghost.org/) for more detailed instructions, or get in touch via the [forum](http://ghost.org/forum) if you get stuck.

If you want to use [Ghost as a NPM module there is a Wiki entry](https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost/wiki/Using-Ghost-as-an-NPM-module) where you can find instructions on how to get set up.

### Upgrading to The Latest Version

Upgrade instructions can be found on the [Ghost Support Site](http://support.ghost.org/how-to-upgrade/)

### Logging in For The First Time

Once you have the Ghost server up and running, you should be able to navigate to `http://localhost:2368/ghost/` from a web browser, where you will be prompted to register a new user. Once you have entered your desired credentials you will be automatically logged in to the admin area.


## Community

Keep track of Ghost development and Ghost community activity.

* Follow Ghost on [Twitter](http://twitter.com/TryGhost), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ghost) and [Google+](https://plus.google.com/114465948129362706086).
* Read and subscribe to the [The Official Ghost Blog](http://blog.ghost.org).
* Join in discussions on the [Ghost Forum](http://ghost.org/forum/)
* Chat with Ghost developers on IRC. We're on `irc.freenode.net`, in the `#Ghost` channel. We have a public meeting every Tuesday at 5:30pm London time.


## Versioning

For transparency and insight into our release cycle, and for striving to maintain backward compatibility, Ghost will be maintained according to the [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/) guidelines as much as possible.

Releases will be numbered with the following format:

`<major>.<minor>.<patch>-<build>`

Constructed with the following guidelines:

* A new *major* release indicates a large change where backwards compatibility is broken.
* A new *minor* release indicates a normal change that maintains backwards compatibility.
* A new *patch* release indicates a bugfix or small change which does not affect compatibility.
* A new *build* release indicates this is a pre-release of the version.


## Copyright & License

Copyright (c) 2013-2014 Ghost Foundation - Released under the [MIT license](LICENSE).
