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Git

The standard version control system for code.

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Official source: git-scm.comLast verified: awaiting review · How we check softwareDeveloper: Git project

What is Git?

Git is a free, open-source version control system, originally created by Linus Torvalds for Linux kernel development. It records the history of changes to files, lets you work on separate branches, and merges work from different people together.

Every copy of a Git repository contains the full history, so most operations work offline. Git is the foundation of hosting services such as GitHub and GitLab, and Git for Windows includes Git Bash, a familiar command-line environment.

Key features

  • Branching and merging
  • Works with GitHub, GitLab and more
  • Git Bash on Windows

Who should use Git?

Supported platforms

Pricing & licence

Open Source Free and open source

Open source: the source code is public, so anyone can inspect it, and it's free to use.

Prices change, so check git-scm.com for current pricing.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Industry standard
  • Fast

Cons

  • Learning curve for beginners

Installation

Windows

Windows · Winget
PS> winget install --id Git.Git --exact --source winget

Install Git with the rest of your Windows setup

macOS

Mac · Homebrew
$ brew install git

Install Git with the rest of your macOS setup

Linux

Linux · APT (Ubuntu and Debian-based)
$ sudo apt install git

Install Git with the rest of your Linux setup

Package names were checked against each official package registry, and commands install the same software as the official download. Only run commands you understand.

Alternatives to Git

No alternatives listed yet.

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Python

Development

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Open Source

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Git FAQ

Is Git the same as GitHub?

No. Git is the version control tool that runs on your computer. GitHub is an online service for hosting Git repositories and collaborating on them.

Does Git work on Windows?

Yes. Git for Windows includes Git itself, Git Bash and a credential manager for signing in to services such as GitHub.

Is Git free?

Free and open source. It's also open source.

Which platforms does Git support?

Git is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. It isn't available for Android and iPhone & iPad.

Can I install Git with Winget?

Yes. Run "winget install --id Git.Git --exact --source winget" in PowerShell or Windows Terminal. The package ID was checked against Microsoft's official Winget repository.

Can I install Git with Homebrew?

Yes. Run "brew install git" in Terminal.

Where can I download Git safely?

From the official website, git-scm.com. Aptorise links only to official sources and never hosts installers.