Git Credentials

Notes on Git Credentials

Git can store or cache your credentials so you don't need to type them every time.

Types

There're few types of credential store/cache:

1. Store them into a file
2. Cache them into a file that will be destroyed after a period
3. OS native keychain

Configuration

Configure the credential helper using command line.

Synopsis:

$ git config --global credential.helper [type][options]

Usage:

1. Store the credentials into a file:

   Git will store your credentials in ~/.git-credentials by default.

   $ git config --global credential.helper store

2. Cache the credentials into a file that will be destroyed after a period:

   Git will store your credential in memory for 900 seconds by default.

   $ git config --global credential.helper cache 

   You can also specify the timeout period using --timeout option.

   $ git config --global credential.helper "cache --timeout=3600" 

   Clear memory cache:

   $ git credential-cache exit

3. Store credentials in system keychain:

   $ git config --global credential.helper osxkeychain

Remove store/cache policy

$ git config --global --unset credential.helper
$ git config --system --unset credential.helper
$ git config --local --unset credential.helper

Erase and Reset

$ git credential-osxkeychain erase

Erase

$ git credential-osxkeychain erase
> host=github.com
> protocol=https

This will clear password for https://github.com/*.