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Git: every change counts · Lesson 01 / 10

Git on your computer

A project changes many times. Git helps record those changes and explain their history; GitHub is a service for sharing repositories.

Learning paths15 min

Let's discover together

  1. 1

    Git works locally: making commits requires neither a GitHub account nor internet access. A repository stores tracked files and history; a normal folder becomes a repository through init or clone.

  2. 2

    Open only your system installation path below. This course uses Git for Windows and Git Bash on Windows, Terminal on macOS, and the distribution terminal on Linux. You do not need all three.

  3. 3

    Type git --version. A version means the terminal found Git. It does not prove you are inside a repository. If the command is missing, complete installation and reopen the terminal; ask the administrator on a managed computer.

  4. 4

    The terminal runs commands in its current folder. In Git Bash, macOS and Linux, pwd shows that folder and cd changes it. Quote paths containing spaces. Do not copy the $ or # prompt symbols used in some tutorials.

GIT · .md

Your change laboratory

This page’s experiments show prepared outputs. To run real commands, use a new practice folder on your computer and the guide included in “Download activity”. Read the instructions before each command.

Choose your operating system

You only need one of these options. Git is free and works locally without an account. Use version 2.28 or later for these examples. If someone else manages the computer, ask them for help installing it.

Windows

On the official site, choose Git for Windows for your computer’s architecture (x64 or ARM64). Run the installer and keep the defaults unless your administrator advises otherwise. Then open a new Git Bash from the Start menu. In this course, Windows commands use Git Bash, including pwd and cd.

git --version
pwd
Official instructions
macOS

Open Terminal and try git --version. If Git is unavailable, use xcode-select --install and finish installing Apple’s command line tools. Reopen Terminal and check the version. If you already use Homebrew, brew install git is another option; you do not need both methods.

xcode-select --install
git --version
pwd
Official instructions
Linux

On Ubuntu or Debian, run the first two lines below, one at a time. Enter your computer’s password when sudo asks; it normally does not appear on screen. On Fedora, use sudo dnf install git instead of those two lines. Other distributions use their own package manager: see the official link.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git
git --version
pwd
Official instructions

It worked when you see “git version …”. Otherwise, reopen the terminal and review your system’s instructions. pwd shows the current folder: Git works in that folder and the project’s files. This page installs nothing.

My files and GitHub

The editor below saves your Markdown notes in this browser. Download a copy to take them to another device. Sending that file to GitHub does not send your computer’s .git history.

FROM LESSON TO PRACTICE

A guide to follow at your pace

Read the steps before using the reference below. Commands run in the indicated system’s terminal; signup happens on the official site. Rullst Academy exercises are practice and do not verify your installation or external account.

git --version
pwd

Official links and next step

✦
YOUR MISSION

Choose installation for your system and verify Git in a terminal.

Now it's your turn

Discovery workshop

Read the state, choose the next step

You are choosing how to prepare a computer, not a repository. The questions compare two systems to identify the right tool; in practice, install only on your own system. This page does not install tools on your device.
Build your answers and check when you are ready.
A moment to understand

Has a local commit already been sent to GitHub?

I need a hint

Git is the history tool; GitHub is one possible destination.

Loading your journey…

Take it with you

Choose your system, install from its stated source and record git --version output. Open a study folder and check pwd. On a phone, read and predict; this course uses a computer for execution.

At your own pace

My files and GitHub

Every lesson can become your own record: code, notes or a practice plan. Saving a file to GitHub is optional and does not change your XP.

Student guide

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