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How to Set Up Git with Visual Studio Code?

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How to Set Up Git with Visual Studio Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

Git is one of the most widely used version control systems, and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a powerful, lightweight code editor. Together, they provide a seamless development experience, allowing you to manage version control directly within your editor.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the process of setting up Git with VS Code, enabling you to clone repositories, commit changes, push updates, and more—all without leaving your editor.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure the following:

  • Git Installed: Download and install Git from git-scm.com.
  • VS Code Installed: Download and install Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com.
  • GitHub/Remote Account: Create an account on GitHub or your preferred Git hosting service.

Step 1: Install Git

  1. Download Git:
    Visit git-scm.com and download the latest version for your operating system.
  2. Install Git:
    • Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
    • During installation, ensure that Git is added to your system’s PATH.
  3. Verify Installation:
    Open a terminal or command prompt and run: git --version You should see the installed Git version.

Step 2: Configure Git

Before using Git, configure your username and email:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"  
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"  

You can verify the configuration with:

git config --list

Step 3: Set Up Git in VS Code

  1. Open VS Code: Launch Visual Studio Code.
  2. Verify Git Integration:
    VS Code has built-in Git support. To check if Git is recognized:
    • Open the Source Control view by clicking on the Source Control icon in the sidebar or pressing Ctrl+Shift+G (Cmd+Shift+G on macOS).
    • If Git is installed, you’ll see a message prompting you to initialize a repository or open a folder.
  3. Install GitLens Extension (Optional):
    To enhance your Git experience, install the GitLens extension:
    • Go to the Extensions Marketplace (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
    • Search for GitLens and click Install.

Step 4: Clone a Repository

  1. Copy Repository URL:
    • Go to your Git hosting service (e.g., GitHub).
    • Copy the repository’s HTTPS or SSH URL.
  2. Clone in VS Code:
    • Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS).
    • Type Git: Clone and select the option.
    • Paste the repository URL and choose a folder to clone into.
  3. Open the Repository:
    VS Code will prompt you to open the cloned repository. Click Open.

Step 5: Initialize a New Repository

If you’re starting a new project:

  1. Open the project folder in VS Code.
  2. Click on the Source Control icon.
  3. Click Initialize Repository.
  4. Your project is now a Git repository, and you can start tracking changes.

Step 6: Basic Git Operations in VS Code

1. Stage Changes

  • Open the Source Control view.
  • You’ll see a list of modified files. Click the + icon next to a file to stage it.

2. Commit Changes

  • Enter a commit message in the text box and click the checkmark icon to commit.

3. Push Changes

  • After committing, push the changes to the remote repository:
    • Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P).
    • Type Git: Push and execute the command.

4. Pull Changes

  • To pull the latest changes from the remote repository:
    • Open the Command Palette.
    • Type Git: Pull and execute the command.

Step 7: Configure SSH (Optional)

For secure and password-less communication with your remote repository, configure SSH:

  1. Generate SSH Key:
    Run the following in a terminal: ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "[email protected]" Follow the prompts to save the key (default location is recommended).
  2. Add SSH Key to GitHub:
    • Copy the SSH public key: cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
    • Go to GitHub > Settings > SSH and GPG keys > New SSH Key.
    • Paste the key and save.
  3. Test SSH Connection:
    Run: ssh -T [email protected] You should see a success message.

Best Practices

  1. Use Descriptive Commit Messages: Clearly describe changes in each commit.
  2. Branch Management: Use branches for new features or bug fixes.
  3. Regular Pulls: Pull updates frequently to stay in sync with the remote repository.
  4. Use Extensions: Explore VS Code extensions like GitLens for advanced Git features.

Conclusion

Setting up Git with Visual Studio Code is a straightforward process that enhances your development workflow. With Git’s version control capabilities integrated directly into VS Code, you can manage repositories, collaborate on projects, and track changes efficiently.

Start using Git in VS Code today to streamline your coding and version control process.


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