docs/content/get-started/quickstart/set-up-git.md

title, redirect_from, intro, versions, topics

title	redirect_from	intro	versions	topics
Set up Git	/git-installation-redirect /linux-git-installation /linux-set-up-git /mac-git-installation /mac-set-up-git /set-up-git-redirect /win-git-installation /win-set-up-git /articles/set-up-git /github/getting-started-with-github/set-up-git /github/getting-started-with-github/quickstart/set-up-git	At the heart of {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} is an open source version control system (VCS) called Git. Git is responsible for everything {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}-related that happens locally on your computer.	fpt ghes ghae ghec * * * *	Pull requests Issues Notifications Accounts

Using Git

To use Git on the command line, you will need to download, install, and configure Git on your computer. You can also install {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %} to use {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} from the command line. For more information, see "About {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %}."

If you want to work with Git locally, but do not want to use the command line, you can instead download and install the [{% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}]({% data variables.product.desktop_link %}) client. For more information, see "Installing and configuring {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}."

If you do not need to work with files locally, {% data variables.product.product_name %} lets you complete many Git-related actions directly in the browser, including:

• Creating a repository
• Forking a repository
• Managing files
• Being social

Setting up Git

1. Download and install the latest version of Git.

   {% note %}

   Note: If you are using a Chrome OS device, additional set up is required:

   1. Install a terminal emulator such as Termux from the Google Play Store on your Chrome OS device.
   2. From the terminal emulator that you installed, install Git. For example, in Termux, enter apt install git and then type y when prompted.

   {% endnote %}

2. Set your username in Git.

3. Set your commit email address in Git.

Authenticating with {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} from Git

When you connect to a {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} repository from Git, you will need to authenticate with {% data variables.product.product_name %} using either HTTPS or SSH.

{% note %}

Note: You can authenticate to {% data variables.product.product_name %} using {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %}, for either HTTP or SSH. For more information, see gh auth login.

{% endnote %}

Connecting over HTTPS (recommended)

If you clone with HTTPS, you can cache your {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} credentials in Git using a credential helper. For more information, see "Cloning with HTTPS urls" and "Caching your {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} credentials in Git."

Connecting over SSH

If you clone with SSH, you must generate SSH keys on each computer you use to push or pull from {% data variables.product.product_name %}. For more information, see "Cloning with SSH urls" and "Generating a new SSH key."

Next steps

You now have Git and {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} all set up. You may now choose to create a repository where you can put your projects. Saving your code in a repository allows you to back up your code and share it around the world.

• {% data reusables.getting-started.create-a-repository %}.

• {% data reusables.getting-started.fork-a-repository %}

• {% data reusables.getting-started.being-social %}

• {% data reusables.support.connect-in-the-forum-bootcamp %}