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+# Gitaly
+
+[Gitaly](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlay) (introduced in GitLab
+9.0) is a service that provides high-level RPC access to Git
+repositories. As of GitLab 9.0 it is still an optional component with
+limited scope.
+
+GitLab components that access Git repositories (gitlab-rails,
+gitlab-shell, gitlab-workhorse) act as clients to Gitaly. End users do
+not have direct access to Gitaly.
+
+## Configuring Gitaly
+
+The Gitaly service itself is configured via environment variables.
+These variables are documented [in the gitaly
+repository](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitaly/blob/master/doc/configuration/README.md).
+
+To change a Gitaly environment variable in Omnibus you can use
+`gitaly['env']` in `/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb`. Changes will be applied
+when you run `gitlab-ctl reconfigure`.
+
+```ruby
+gitaly['env'] = {
+  'GITALY_MY_VARIABLE' => 'value'
+}
+```
+
+To change a Gitaly environment variable in installations from source
+you can edit `/home/git/gitaly/env`.
+
+```shell
+GITALY_MY_VARIABLE='value'
+```
+
+Changes to `/home/git/gitaly/env` are applied when you run `service
+gitlab restart`.
+
+## Configuring GitLab to not use Gitaly
+
+Gitaly is still an optional componennt in GitLab 9.0. This means you
+can choose to not use it.
+
+In Omnibus you can make the following change in
+`/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb` and reconfigure. This will both disable the
+Gitaly service and configure the rest of GitLab not to use it.
+
+```ruby
+gitaly['enable'] = false
+```
+
+In source installations, edit `/home/git/gitlab/config/gitlab.yml` and
+make sure `socket_path` in the `gitaly` section is commented out. This
+does not disable the Gitaly service; it only prevents it from being
+used.
+
+Apply the change with `service gitlab restart`.
+
+```yaml
+  gitaly:
+    # socket_path: tmp/sockets/private/gitlay.socket
+```
+
+## Disabling or enabling the Gitaly service
+
+Be careful: if you disable Gitaly without instructing the rest of your
+GitLab installation not to use Gitaly, you may end up with errors
+because GitLab tries to access a service that is not running.
+
+To disable the Gitaly service in your Omnibus installation, add the
+following line to `/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb`:
+
+```ruby
+gitaly['enable'] = false
+```
+
+When you run `gitlab-ctl reconfigure` the Gitaly service will be
+disabled.
+
+To disable the Gitaly service in an installation from source, add the
+following to `/etc/default/gitlab`:
+
+```shell
+gitaly_enabled=false
+```
+
+When you run `service gitlab restart` Gitaly will be disabled.
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