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Git Setup and Configuration

Install Git, then configure your identity and a few sensible defaults. Your name and email are stamped onto every commit you make.

Install & verify

git --version      # confirm Git is installed

Download from git-scm.com (or use your OS package manager). macOS and Linux often have it already.

Set your identity

bash

git config --global user.name "Bhanu Chandar Bala"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

Recommended defaults

bash

git config --global init.defaultBranch main   # name new branches "main"
git config --global core.editor "code --wait"  # use VS Code for messages
git config --global pull.rebase false           # merge on pull (or true to rebase)
git config --global credential.helper store     # remember credentials

Config levels

Level	Flag	Applies to
System	`--system`	every user on the machine
Global	`--global`	your user (all your repos)
Local	`--local`	the current repo only (overrides global)

A local setting beats a global one — handy for using a work email in one repo and a personal email in another.

Check your config

git config --list              # everything
git config user.email          # one value

Tip: Set up aliases for commands you type often: git config --global alias.st status lets you run git st.

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