Git Installation

Git works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Install it with the method supported by your operating system, then verify the command and set the identity stored in your commits.

Current release: The official Git site lists Git 2.55.0 as the latest source release. Your package manager may provide a different supported version.

Install Git on Windows

You can use the official Git for Windows installer or Windows Package Manager.

Install with winget

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:

Command:

winget install --id Git.Git -e --source winget

Close and reopen the terminal after the installation finishes.

Install with the setup program

1. Open the official Git for Windows page.
2. Download the x64 or ARM64 installer that matches your computer.
3. Run the installer and keep the recommended defaults unless your organization requires different settings.
4. Allow Git to run from the command line and third-party software when the installer asks about PATH.

Verify Git on Windows

Command:

git --version

Example output:

git version 2.55.0.windows.1

The exact version can differ. A version line confirms that the terminal can find Git.

Install Git on macOS

On macOS, install Git with Homebrew or Apple's Xcode Command Line Tools. The old standalone macOS installer is no longer maintained.

Install with Homebrew

If Homebrew is already available, run:

brew install git

If you do not use Homebrew, install Apple's command-line tools instead:

xcode-select --install

A macOS dialog opens and guides you through the installation.

Verify Git on macOS

git --version

Example output:

git version 2.55.0

Tip: Homebrew and Apple may package different Git versions. Use the version supplied by the installation method you chose.

Install Git on Linux

Use your distribution's package manager. The package name is usually git.

Debian and Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

Fedora

sudo dnf install git

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S git

openSUSE

sudo zypper install git

Verify Git on Linux

git --version

Example output:

git version 2.55.0

Your distribution may ship an older supported release. Check its package documentation when you need a feature introduced in a newer Git version.

Configure Your Commit Identity

Git records a name and email address in every commit you create. Set the values once for your user account:

# Set the author name stored in new commits
git config --global user.name "Aarav Sharma"

# Set the author email stored in new commits
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

Check both values and the configuration files that provide them:

git config --list --show-origin

Example output:

file:C:/Users/Aarav/.gitconfig user.name=Aarav Sharma
file:C:/Users/Aarav/.gitconfig [email protected]

Paths use a different format on macOS and Linux. If a project needs another identity, run the same commands without --global inside that repository.

Set the Initial Branch Name

Git 2.x still defaults to master unless you configure another name. Set main for future repositories:

git config --global init.defaultBranch main

You can also choose the branch while creating one repository:

git init -b main

Example output:

Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/project/.git/

Conclusion

You can install Git with an official installer or your operating system's package manager. Verify it with git --version, configure your commit identity, and choose the initial branch name before creating repositories.