Getting Started with Git

Welcome to your Git journey! This guide will help you get started with Git, from installation to your first commit.

Installation

Windows

Download Git from git-scm.com and run the installer.

macOS

Install using Homebrew:

brew install git

Or download from git-scm.com.

Linux

Use your distribution's package manager:

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt-get install git

Fedora:

sudo dnf install git

Initial Configuration

After installing Git, configure your identity:

# Set your name
git config --global user.name "Your Name"

# Set your email
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

# Set default branch name to main
git config --global init.defaultBranch main

# Check your configuration
git config --list

Creating Your First Repository

Initialize a New Repository

# Create a new directory
mkdir my-project
cd my-project

# Initialize Git
git init

Clone an Existing Repository

git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git

Basic Workflow

1. Check Status

git status

2. Add Files

# Add specific file
git add filename.txt

# Add all files
git add .

3. Commit Changes

git commit -m "Your commit message"

4. View History

git log

Working with Remotes

Add a Remote Repository

git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repository.git

Push Your Changes

git push -u origin main

Pull Changes from Remote

git pull origin main

Essential Commands for Beginners

Command	Description
git init	Initialize a new repository
git clone <url>	Clone a repository
git status	Check repository status
git add <file>	Stage files for commit
git commit -m "message"	Commit staged changes
git push	Push commits to remote
git pull	Pull changes from remote
git log	View commit history

Common Scenarios

Making Your First Commit

# Create a new file
echo "# My Project" > README.md

# Stage the file
git add README.md

# Commit the file
git commit -m "Initial commit: Add README"

# Push to remote (if set up)
git push origin main

Checking What Changed

# See what files changed
git status

# See specific changes
git diff

Undoing Changes

# Discard changes in a file
git checkout -- filename.txt

# Unstage a file
git reset HEAD filename.txt

Best Practices for Beginners

1. Commit Often: Make small, focused commits
2. Write Clear Messages: Describe what and why, not how
3. Pull Before Push: Always pull latest changes before pushing
4. Use Branches: Keep your main branch stable
5. Review Before Commit: Check git status and git diff

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• ❌ Don't commit sensitive information (passwords, API keys)
• ❌ Don't make huge commits with unrelated changes
• ❌ Don't force push to shared branches
• ❌ Don't ignore merge conflicts
• ❌ Don't work directly on the main branch for features

Getting Help

Command Help

# Get help for any command
git help <command>
git <command> --help

# Quick reference
git <command> -h

Useful Resources

• Official Git Documentation
• GitHub Guides
• Pro Git Book

Next Steps

Now that you have the basics, explore:

• Git Status in Detail
• Mastering Git Commit
• Working with Branches
• Complete Command Cheatsheet

Ready to dive deeper? Let's explore the powerful features of Git!