Skip to main content

Essential Setup

Before using Git, you need:

  1. Git installed on your computer
  2. GitHub account for cloud backup
  3. Git configured with your identity

This takes 20 minutes. Do it once, use forever.

Step 1: Install Git​

Windows​

  1. Download: https://git-scm.com/download/win
  2. Run the 64-bit installer
  3. Click "Next" through all screens (defaults work fine)
  4. Click "Finish"

Verify installation:

You ask Gemini CLI: "Check if Git is installed and show the version"

Gemini runs: git --version

You should see: git version 2.42.0 (or similar)

✓ Version number means Git is installed.

Troubleshooting:

Permission denied error? Right-click installer → "Run as Administrator"

"Git not recognized" after install? Ask Gemini CLI: "Git command not found on Windows. Help me fix the PATH."

Mac​

  1. Download: https://git-scm.com/download/mac
  2. Run the installer
  3. Follow the prompts
  4. Enter your password when asked

Verify: Open Terminal, type git --version

If errors occur: Ask Gemini CLI: "Can't install Git on Mac. Here's my error: [paste error]"

Linux​

Installation varies by distribution.

You ask Gemini CLI: "What command installs Git on [your distribution]?"

Examples:

  • Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install git
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install git
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S git

Verify: git --version

Step 2: Create GitHub Account​

GitHub stores your code in the cloud.

Create Account​

  1. Go to: https://github.com
  2. Click "Sign up" (top right)
  3. Provide:
    • Email address
    • Password (make it strong)
    • Username (public - choose carefully)
  4. Verify email (check inbox/spam)
  5. Choose Free plan

Your profile: github.com/your-username

Common Issues:

Username taken? Try: yourname-dev, yourname2024, or your-name

No verification email? Check spam, or click "Resend verification email"

Too many questions? Skip surveys - just get to your dashboard

Step 3: Configure Git​

Git needs to know who you are. Every commit will show your name.

You ask Gemini CLI: "Configure Git with my name 'Your Name' and email '[email protected]'"

Gemini runs:

  • git config --global user.name "Your Name"
  • git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

Sets up your identity. Use your real name and the same email as your GitHub account.

Verify configuration:

You ask Gemini CLI: "Show me my Git configuration"

Gemini runs: git config --list

You should see your name and email listed.

Why this matters:

Your name stamps every code change you save. This:

  • Shows who made each change
  • Builds your contribution history
  • Links commits to your GitHub profile

Use the same email as GitHub so commits appear on your profile.

Verification Checklist​

You ask Gemini CLI: "Verify my Git setup: 1) Is Git installed? 2) Show my config 3) Can I access GitHub?"

Gemini checks:

  • ✓ Git installed (shows version)
  • ✓ Name and email configured
  • ✓ GitHub account exists

If anything fails, ask Gemini to fix it.

What You Learned​

When to use direct methods:

  • Downloading installers
  • Clicking through setup wizards
  • Creating online accounts

When to use AI (Gemini CLI):

  • Verifying installation worked
  • Troubleshooting errors
  • Platform-specific commands
  • Configuration setup

This is the professional pattern: handle simple tasks directly, use AI when complexity appears.

Try With AI​

Verify your setup.

Tool: Gemini CLI (or Claude Code, ChatGPT)

Exercise 1: Complete System Check​

Run a complete Git setup verification:
1. Check Git is installed
2. Show my Git configuration
3. Confirm GitHub account works
4. Report any issues

Exercise 2: Update Configuration​

Change my Git email to [new-email].
Update configuration and verify the change worked.

Exercise 3: Troubleshoot Issues​

If you had problems:

I had trouble with [describe issue].
My system: [Windows/Mac/Linux]
Help me resolve this and verify Git works.