---
title: 'Getting Started with Open Authoring'
url: 'https://levesaudavel.com.br/open-education-essentials/section-3'
markdown: 'https://levesaudavel.com.br/open-education-essentials/section-3.md'
date: '2026-09-14'
description: "Open authoring closes the loop between publishing content openly and actively inviting others to improve it. The goal isn't just making content readable – it's making it editable. The Git Page Link Plugin The Git Page Link plugin adds a link to each Grav page connecting visitors directly to the sou…"
---

# Getting Started with Open Authoring

Open authoring closes the loop between publishing content openly and actively inviting others to improve it. The goal isn't just making content readable – it's making it editable.

## The Git Page Link Plugin

The [Git Page Link plugin](https://github.com/hibbitts-design/grav-plugin-git-page-link) adds a link to each Grav page connecting visitors directly to the source Markdown file in your Git repository.

A single link serves two audiences:

- **Contributors with repository access** land on the file editor
- **Everyone else** sees the file in the repository viewer, where they can fork and propose changes

## View Mode vs. Edit Mode

| Platform | View mode | Edit mode |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Shows file to everyone | Redirects unauthenticated users to fork-and-propose flow |
| Codeberg | Shows file to everyone | Redirects unauthenticated users to login |
| GitLab | Shows file to everyone | Redirects unauthenticated users to login |

For publicly accessible readers, **view mode** is the safer default on all platforms. GitHub's edit mode is the exception – it handles unauthenticated visitors gracefully, making it well-suited for open authoring workflows.

## Inviting Contributions

The simplest invitation is a single sentence at the top of your reader home page:

> Found an error or want to suggest an improvement? Use the link at the bottom of any page to view the source and propose a change.

Readers who are comfortable with GitHub can open a pull request. Those who aren't can email you the suggested change. Either way, the source file is visible and accessible.

---

## Navigation

- Previous: [Tools for Open Course Design](https://levesaudavel.com.br/open-education-essentials/section-2.md)
- Children:
  - [Inviting Contributions](https://levesaudavel.com.br/open-education-essentials/section-3/inviting-contributions.md)
  - [Choosing a Git Platform](https://levesaudavel.com.br/open-education-essentials/section-3/choosing-a-git-platform.md)
  - [Maintaining an Open Reader](https://levesaudavel.com.br/open-education-essentials/section-3/maintaining-an-open-reader.md)