To get started using Subversion you first need to get access to an appropriate area of the repository. Access to Subversion is controlled by the top-level project directories within the repository.

For example, there is a top level project directory called 'asu.edu' that is accessible to all members of the 'asu.edu' team. Inside that project directory are directories for the individual projects being worked on by the members of the 'asu.edu' team. All members of the team have access to all of the projects that exist within the 'asu.edu' top-level project directory. The use of the term "project" can be misleading. In fact, it simply refers to the top-level directory in the repository, which in turn may contain many separate projects.

Some projects, however, are intended for a larger audience. The Forms project, for instance, is a collaborative effort between people from different departments within the University. Therefore, there is a top level directory, 'forms', that houses the files for that project. Being in a different top level directory allows one to have different access permissions.

If you have determined that you need to create a new top-level project (i.e. no existing top-level project has the appropriate access rights), please see the documentation on Subversion project authorization.

If there is already a top-level project directory that is appropriate for you, you simply need to contact one of the group administrators for the project who can give you access. You can see view a list of the top-level projects on the Web Developers Community Projects page. Note; you will only be able to see those projects that are public, or for which you have read permissions.

Once you have access to the project directory, you now need to install and configure Subversion client software on your workstation.