Guides: Using Git and Github for the Windows for newbies

This is pretty much the shorthand version of this blogpost: http://kylecordes.com/2008/04/30/git-windows-go

Portuguese version available at: http://blog.tinogomes.com/2008/05/11/instalando-e-usando-git-no-windows-xp/

Another excellent and thorough resource is An Illustrated Guide to Git on Windows.

Git for Windows Developers: http://www.lostechies.com/blogs/jason_meridth/archive/2009/06/01/git-for-windows-developers-git-series-part-1.aspx

Git Installation

There are currently two ways to install Git in Windows. One way is to install it together with cygwin . But the easiest way is to install git with msysGit.

Installing git with msysGit

Download the latest installer from Google code and run it. To avoid path conflicts, pick the “Use Git Bash only” setting during the installation.

using git from the cmd.exe prompt

I’m not sure if this is a universal thing or not, but I will post my problems, and hopefully, they will help somebody. With msysgit, if you want to be able to run git from the command prompt, and thus use any git related software (EGit plugin for Eclipse, as an example), then you must do two things. First, you must select the “Run Git from the Windows Command Prompt” option, and second, you must use putty/plink/pageant for SSH. then you should be able to connect to GitHub without problem

Creating your very own SSH-key

In order to use git, you will need to generate a key. To do this open Git Bash (from the start menu, quicklauncher or right click a directory and choose “Git Bash Here”.) Type in the following:

$ ssh-keygen -C "your@email.com" -t rsa
 

Use your own email address of course. Use the default file name (id_rsa) and provide a password. The generated key will be stored in your profile, e.g.: C:\Documents and Settings\YourNameHere\.ssh\ on XP or C:\Users\YourNameHere\.ssh\ on Vista/Windows 7.

Identify yourself to git

With the bash shell still opened type in the following:

$ git config --global user.name "Your Name Here"
$ git config --global user.email your@email.com
 

This will set the info stored when you commit to a git repository.

Now that you’ve set up git, you can find many more guides on how to use it in the guide list