VITA CV Get started

Open source CV tooling for developers

Your CV, versioned with Git.

Keep a base CV, create a branch for each application, and build your PDF locally with LaTeX. Tailor the content yourself or use optional AI assistance, then inspect the changes.

Get started View on GitHub (opens in new tab) 
uv tool install vita-cv==2.0.2

Docs target: 2.0.2  ·  View on PyPI (opens in new tab)

Free CLI. No VITA account required. Python, Git, and LaTeX tooling required; external AI may cost extra.

Real product example

See it in action.

After following the quickstart and committing your base CV, create a tailored branch, review the diff, and build the PDF locally. 

# After following the quickstart and committing your base CV:
vita new etp acme "software engineer"
# Accept gen-swe at the interactive base-branch prompt.
# Edit main.tex with your tailored content.
git diff
# Review the LaTeX changes before building.
vita build
# Opens out/cv-alex-morgan.pdf — inspect before submitting.
vita status
Preview of the sample CV showing a fictional candidate's experience
Sample CV — fictional data. Download PDF (opens in new tab) (~80 KB).
How it works

From one CV to many — organized and traceable.

Every application lives in its own Git branch, derived from your base. You can see exactly what changed and rebuild the PDF at any time.

  1. Commit your base CV

    Create a local project with vita init, add your LaTeX source, and commit it to Git. This becomes the shared foundation for every application.

    vita init
git add .gitignore main.tex job.md README.md
git commit -m "Create base CV"

  2. Create a role branch

    Run vita new to create a branch for a specific company and role. VITA handles the naming and records the application in a local registry.

    vita new etp acme "software engineer"

  3. Review your changes

    Edit your LaTeX source for this role. Use git diff to see exactly what changed, then commit your tailored version before building.

    git diff
git add main.tex
git commit -m "Tailor for Acme SWE role"

  4. Build and inspect the PDF

    Run vita build to compile the PDF with LaTeX locally. Inspect it before submitting — AI suggestions are edits you review, not output you trust blindly.

    vita build
# Opens out/cv-alex-morgan.pdf
Why VITA CV

Built for developers who want control.

  • Own the source.

    Keep your CV in a local project you can edit, back up, and version with Git. No uploads, no account required. Your files stay where you put them.

  • Organize each application.

    Create company-and-role branches and compare committed LaTeX changes against the base. VITA warns you when a company already has a variant on record.

  • Choose how to use AI.

    Generate prompts locally and apply them yourself, or configure automatic execution with a supported provider. Automatic AI sends relevant context to that provider; you review the output before committing.

Get started

What you need before installing.

VITA CV builds on tools you may already have. Install these first, then follow the quickstart.

Downloads

Starter project

ZIP archive · ~7 KB. A minimal LaTeX CV project with fictional data, a sample job description, and a .gitignore. Use it as your starting point before running vita init.

Sample CV PDF (opens in new tab)

PDF · ~80 KB · fictional data. A PDF compiled from the starter project so you can see the expected output before setting up LaTeX.

Follow the full quickstart →
FAQ

Common questions.

Straight answers about cost, data, and requirements.

Is VITA CV free?

The CLI is available as open source without an application-credit quota. You can install it, create branches, build PDFs, and manage your CV without paying for VITA itself. Optional AI services — such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or other supported providers — have their own prices, accounts, and usage limits that are separate from VITA.

Does my CV leave my computer?

Local Git operations, prompt generation, and PDF builds do not require a VITA server. Your files stay in the local project unless you explicitly share them. Automatic AI execution (using the --auto flag) sends your CV content and job description to the configured provider. Pushing a repository to GitHub or sharing a prompt with an AI assistant also shares the content you choose. Never say "everything stays offline" — be specific about which steps involve external calls.

Do I need to know LaTeX?

Yes, for the PDF build workflow. The starter project includes a minimal working template with fictional data so you can get a successful build before writing your own content. The quickstart explains how to adapt it. If you are new to LaTeX, the TeX Live documentation and Overleaf's learning resources are useful starting points.

Can I use my existing CV template?

VITA builds whatever LaTeX entry file is configured — by default main.tex. If your template is self-contained in that file, it should work directly. Automatic AI reads main.tex and writes its output back to it; templates that spread content across multiple included files need a separately verified setup. Manual tailoring works regardless of your document structure.

Will it guarantee an ATS pass or an interview?

No. VITA helps you manage, tailor, and build a CV; it does not evaluate its effectiveness with any employer system. AI-generated suggestions are a starting point for your own edits — review them carefully before committing. You remain responsible for the final content and the decision to submit.

Ready to version your CV with Git?

Install the CLI, download the starter, and build your first tailored PDF.

Get started