docs/content/desktop/installing-and-authenticating-to-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop.md

title, shortTitle, intro, redirect_from, versions

title	shortTitle	intro	redirect_from	versions
Setting up GitHub Desktop	Setup	You can set up {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to suit your needs and contribute to projects.	/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop /desktop/installing-and-configuring-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop /desktop/installing-and-configuring-github-desktop/installing-and-authenticating-to-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop	feature desktop

Part 1: Installing {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}

You can install {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} on any supported operating system. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

To install {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}, navigate to https://desktop.github.com/ and download the appropriate version of {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} for your operating system. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

Part 2: Configuring your account

If you have an account on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} or {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %}, you can use {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to exchange data between your local and remote repositories.

Creating an account

If you do not already have an account on {% data variables.location.product_location %}, create one now.{% ifversion fpt or ghec %} For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."{% endif %}

{% ifversion ghec %}If you're part of an organization that uses {% data variables.product.prodname_emus %} and you do not have an account, contact your enterprise administrator.{% elsif ghes or ghae %}If you're a member of an organization that uses {% data variables.product.product_name %} and you do not have an account, contact your {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %} site administrator.{% endif %}

Authenticating to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}

To connect to {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} with {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}, you'll need to authenticate your account. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

After authenticating your account, you are ready to manage and contribute to projects with {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}.

Part 3: Configuring Git

You must have Git installed before using {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}. If you do not already have Git installed, you can download and install the latest version of Git from https://git-scm.com/downloads.

After you have Git installed, you'll need to configure Git for {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

Part 4: Customizing {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}

You can adjust defaults and settings to tailor {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to your needs.

Choosing a default text editor

You can open a text editor from {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to manipulate files and repositories. {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} supports a variety of text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) for Windows and macOS. You can choose a default editor in the {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} settings. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

Choosing a theme

{% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} has multiple themes available to customize the look and feel of the app. You can choose a theme in the {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} settings. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."