Git is a powerful version control system used by developers for tracking changes in code and collaborating on projects. This guide explains how to install and configure Git on an Ubuntu system.
1. Installing Git
Before configuring Git, ensure it is installed on your system. Open a terminal and run the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git -y
After installation, verify the installation with:
git --version
2. Configuring User Information
Git requires a username and email to track changes. Configure them globally using:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
You can verify the configuration with:
git config --global --list
3. Setting Up SSH Authentication (Optional)
If you plan to use Git over SSH, generate an SSH key:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@example.com"
Start the SSH agent and add your key:
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
Retrieve the public key:
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
Copy and add this key to your Git hosting service (e.g., GitHub, GitLab) under Settings > SSH Keys.
4. Enabling Git Credential Caching (Optional)
If using HTTPS, you can cache credentials for convenience:
git config --global credential.helper cache
To store credentials permanently:
git config --global credential.helper store
5. Testing Your Configuration
Clone a repository to verify Git is working correctly:
git clone git@github.com:your-username/your-repo.git
For HTTPS:
git clone https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git
Conclusion
You have now successfully installed and configured Git on Ubuntu. This setup allows you to track changes, collaborate efficiently, and use SSH authentication for secure interactions with repositories. Happy coding!