How we migrated to CommonMark

Markdown, initially created by John Gruber, has become a popular method for writing online content due to its simplicity and ability to be converted into HTML or XHTML. Over time, various "flavors" of Markdown emerged, causing inconsistencies in rendering across different platforms. In response, GitLab adopted CommonMark, a standardized specification designed to ensure consistent Markdown rendering, as part of a phased migration. Initially, CommonMark was implemented for new content only, later extending to repository and wiki files, and ultimately replacing the previous RedCarpet rendering system entirely. This transition aimed to reduce technical debt and improve user experience by providing more consistent rendering, though it required some upstream improvements, such as supporting double-tilde strikethroughs. GitLab's adoption of CommonMark aligns with other platforms like GitHub and Discourse, enhancing the overall usability and compatibility of Markdown content across various applications.

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