How to Set Up Git- A Step-by-Step Guide

20 Jan 2025

Git is a popular version control system used by developers to track code changes, collaborate with others, and manage project versions. This guide will walk you through setting up Git on your local machine.

Step 1: Install Git

On Windows:

Download the Git installer from the Git website.
Run the installer and follow the prompts:
- Select the default editor (e.g., Vim, Nano, or Notepad++).
- Choose “Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software.”
- Use the recommended options unless you have specific preferences.
Click Finish to complete the installation.

On macOS:

Open Terminal.
Install Git using Homebrew:
```
bash
brew install git
```

On Linux:

Open Terminal.

Install Git using your package manager:

Ubuntu/Debian:

  bash
  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install git

Fedora:
```
  bash
  sudo dnf install git
```

Step 2: Verify the Installation

Once installed, verify Git by checking its version:

bash
git --version

If Git is installed, it will display the installed version.

Step 3: Configure Git

Before using Git, configure your identity and preferences.

Set Your Name and Email:

Run the following commands to set your name and email address:

bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

Check Your Configuration:

To see the settings you’ve configured, use:

bash
git config --list

Step 4: Set Up SSH (Optional)

Using SSH keys makes it easier and more secure to interact with remote repositories.

Generate an SSH Key:
```
bash
ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your.email@example.com"
```
Press Enter to save the key in the default location and set a passphrase (optional).

Add the SSH Key to the Agent:

bash
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Add the SSH Key to Your GitHub Account:
- Copy the SSH key:
```
 bash
 cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
```
- Go to your GitHub profile > Settings > SSH and GPG keys > New SSH key.
- Paste the copied key and save.

Step 5: Create a Git Repository

Initialize a Local Repository:

Navigate to the folder you want to track:
```
bash
cd /path/to/your/project
```
Initialize Git in the folder:
```
bash
git init
```
Clone a Remote Repository:

If you’re working on an existing project, clone the repository:
```
bash
git clone <repository-url>
```

Step 6: Basic Git Commands

Here are some essential Git commands to get you started:

Add Files to the Staging Area:

bash
git add <file-name>        # Add a specific file
git add .                  # Add all changes in the current directory

Commit Changes:

bash
git commit -m "Your commit message"

Push Changes to Remote:

bash
git push origin main       # Push changes to the main branch

Pull Changes from Remote:

bash
git pull origin main       # Pull updates from the main branch

Check the Status of Your Repository:

bash
git status

View Commit History:

bash
git log

Step 7: Advanced Configuration (Optional)

Set a Default Branch Name:

Change the default branch name (e.g., to main):

bash
git config --global init.defaultBranch main

Enable Git Aliases:

Set up shortcuts for common commands:

bash
git config --global alias.st status
git config --global alias.co checkout
git config --global alias.br branch
git config --global alias.cm commit

Now you can use git st instead of git status, and so on.

Step 8: Practice Git with a Sample Workflow

Create a file in your project:
```
bash
echo "Hello, Git!" > hello.txt
```
Add the file to the staging area:
```
bash
git add hello.txt
```
Commit the changes:
```
bash
git commit -m "Add hello.txt"
```

Push the changes to a remote repository:

bash
git remote add origin <repository-url>
git push -u origin main

Step 9: Explore Further

Learn more advanced Git features like branching, merging, and rebasing. Use GUIs for Git like GitHub Desktop or Sourcetree.

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