how to install git
Git is a version control software that allows us to save and restore different versions of our files at various points. It is a powerful tool that allows us to track changes, collaborate with others, and manage our codebase effectively.
We have a few options for installing Git, and those options change depending on the operating system you are using. In this tutorial, I will walk you through the installation process for Windows and macOS. If you are using Linux, you can find download instructions for your specific distribution on the Git website.
git installation for windows
You can find the official Git installation instructions for Windows on the Git website.
> step 1
Download Git from the Git website.
> step 2
Follow all instructions and prompts in the installation program. Be sure to opt-in to installing the GitBash application.
Windows does not come with a Unix shell command line interface (CLI) by default. Installing GitBash will allow us to navigate through our operating system using common Unix shell commands that we would use with macOS or Linux machines.
> step 3
Let’s make sure the installation was successful.
Find and open the GitBash application. I recommend adding a shortcut to your Desktop or Start Menu, if one does not exist already.
Type and execute the following (hit ENTER or RETURN to execute the command):
git --version
Do you see a version number? If yes, congratulations! You have successfully installed Git!
git installation for macOS
You can find the official Git installation instructions for macOS on the Git website. This tutorial will walk through the steps to install Git using Homebrew.
> step 1
Homebrew is a popular package manager used for managing software and package dependencies on macOS.
Find and open the Terminal application on your computer, then follow the steps on the Homebrew website to install Homebrew.
> step 2
Let’s make sure the Homebrew installation was successful.
Find and open the Terminal application. I recommend adding a shortcut to your Desktop or Dock, if one does not exist already.
Type and execute the following (hit ENTER or RETURN to execute the command):
brew --version
Do you see a version number? If yes, congratulations! You have successfully installed Homebrew!
> step 3
In the Terminal application, type and execute the following:
brew install git
> step 4
Let’s make sure the Git installation was successful.
In the Terminal application, type and execute the following:
git --version
Do you see a version number? If yes, congratulations! You have successfully installed Git!
resources and references
Git - Download for Linux and Unix
This tutorial was last updated on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.