*[GitLab packages](https://www.gitlab.com/downloads/)**recommended** These packages contain GitLab and all its depencies (Ruby, PostgreSQL, Redis, Nginx, Unicorn, etc.). They are made with [omnibus-gitlab](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/omnibus-gitlab/blob/master/README.md) that also contains the installation instructions.
*[GitLab virtual machine images](https://www.gitlab.com/downloads/) contain an operating system and a preinstalled GitLab. They are made with [GitLab Packer](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-packer/blob/master/README.md) that also contains the installation instructions.
*[GitLab Chef Cookbook](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cookbook-gitlab/blob/master/README.md) This cookbook can be used both for development installations and production installations. If you want to [contribute](CONTRIBUTE.md) to GitLab we suggest you follow the [development installation on a virtual machine with Vagrant](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/cookbook-gitlab/blob/master/doc/development.md) instructions to install all testing dependencies.
*[Manual installation guide](doc/install/installation.md) This guide to set up a production server offers detailed and complete step-by-step instructions.
*[Manual installation guide](doc/install/installation.md) This guide to set up a production server on Ubuntu offers detailed and complete step-by-step instructions.
