About this chapter
In this chapter you'll learn what version control and Git are, install Git on your machine, set up your name and email, create your first repository, and learn the mental model that the rest of the course builds on.
Lessons from courses
- 1 What is Git? What is Git and what does version control mean? Learn how Git tracks changes, lets you work in parallel, and makes sure you never lose your work.
- 2 Installing Git Install Git in a few minutes on Windows, macOS or Linux, then confirm it worked with git --version. Beginner-friendly steps for every system.
- 3 Configuring Git Configure Git after installing: set your name and email with git config, learn --global vs local config, and make main the default branch.
- 4 Your first repository Create your first Git repository with git init. See what the hidden .git folder holds and why a repo is just a folder Git has started tracking.
- 5 The three areas Git's core mental model: the working directory, the staging area (index) and the repository, plus how a single change moves through all three.