Get Started with Git

@imarikchakma · Feb 3, 2025

In this guide, you’ll learn how to get started with Git and GitHub. We’ll cover everything from installing Git to creating your first repository on GitHub.

What is Version Control?

Version Control is a system that records changes to files over time, allowing you to recall specific versions later. It enables tracking changes, collaborating with other developers, and reverting to previous versions when necessary.

What is Git?

Git is a distributed Version Control System (VCS) that helps you track changes in your codebase. It’s a powerful tool for collaboration and efficient code management.

Git has become the de facto standard for version control in the software development industry. It is widely used by developers to manage their codebase and collaborate with others. Git is open-source and free to use, making it accessible to everyone.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a web-based platform that hosts Git repositories. It provides a centralized location for storing, sharing, and collaborating on projects. GitHub offers features like issue tracking, pull requests, and project management tools.

Install Git

To install Git, follow the instructions for your operating system:

# macOS
brew install git

# Linux
sudo apt-get install git
# or
sudo yum install git

For Windows, download and install from gitforwindows.org. This will set up Git on your machine for version control.

Configure Git

Set up your Git identity with the following commands:

git config --global user.name "Arik Chakma"
git config --global user.email "arikchangma@gmail.com"

Using --global applies these settings to all repositories. To check your configuration, run:

git config --list

Create a GitHub Account

  1. Visit github.com and create an account.
  2. Verify your email address to activate your account.

This step is essential for accessing GitHub’s features and collaborating on projects.

Authenticate with GitHub

  1. Generate SSH Key:

    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "arikchangma@gmail.com"

    This command generates a new SSH key pair. Press Enter to save the key in the default location. For macOS users, you will need to add the key to the keychain, follow this guide from GitHub.

  2. Copy the Public Key:

    pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

    If pbcopy isn’t available, manually copy the key from the .ssh folder.

    cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

  3. Add the Key to GitHub: Paste the copied key here and save it. This allows GitHub to recognize your machine.

  4. Test Authentication:

    ssh -T git@github.com

    This command checks if your SSH key is set up correctly.

Create a Repository

  1. Go to github.com/new to create a new repository.
  2. Fill in the repository name and description (e.g., my-first-repo).
  3. Choose between public or private visibility.
  4. Click the “Create Repository” button to finalize.

This repository will serve as the central location for your project files.

Connect Local Repository to GitHub

  1. Navigate to your newly created repository on GitHub.
  2. Copy the SSH URL provided for your repository.
  3. Open your terminal and navigate to your project directory.

Run the following commands to connect your local repository to GitHub:

# Initialize Git
git init

# Add the remote repository
git remote add origin git@github.com:arikchakma/my-first-repo.git

# Create a README file
echo "# My First Repo" >> README.md

# Add the file to staging
git add .

# Commit the changes
git commit -m "Initial commit"

# Push the changes to the remote repository
git branch -M main
git push -u origin main

These commands set up your local repository and push your initial changes to GitHub. You can now view your project on GitHub!

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