Installing Git on Windows
We will use Git Bash, which provides a Unix-like terminal environment on Windows.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Download the installer from git-scm.com.
- Run the `.exe` file.
- Crucial Step: When asked about "Adjusting your PATH environment", select:"Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software"
- Keep other defaults and click Next until installed.
- Open "Git Bash" to verify.
Installing on macOS & Linux
🍎 macOS
# Using Homebrew (Recommended)
brew install git
# Verify
git --version🐧 Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git
# Verify
git --versionFirst-Time Configuration
Git needs to know who you are. This information is embedded in every commit you make.
Terminal
# 1. Set your name
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
# 2. Set your email (must match GitHub)
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
# 3. Verify configuration
git config --list
Important Note
Use the same email address that you used to sign up for GitHub. This ensures your contributions show up on your profile correctly.
Pro Tip: Set your Editor
Git opens a text editor when you commit. The default is often Vim (which is hard to exit!). Set it to VS Code instead:
git config --global core.editor "code --wait"Verification Checklist
Git is installed (git --version returns a version number)
Username is configured
Email is configured
You can open a terminal (Git Bash on Windows, Terminal on Mac/Linux)