$ Git

This page gathers the essential facts about Git in one place: what the project does, how its command-line interface is organised, and where the maintainers publish their own setup instructions.

Quick reference

How to read the official docs

• Official project pages. The maintainers' own site is the only source that stays current. We link to it and summarise; we never rehost.
• Purpose and scope. What problem the tool solves and where its responsibilities end — taken from the project's own description.
• Interface shape. How the command is invoked, which subcommands exist, and what the essential flags do.
• Setup pointers. Where the canonical step-by-step instructions live, platform by platform, on the official pages.

Suggested first pass

• Skim the official FAQ or troubleshooting page — common pitfalls are usually listed there before you hit them.
• Find the section of the official documentation that lists prerequisites; every tool assumes something about your system.
• Skim the official FAQ or troubleshooting page — common pitfalls are usually listed there before you hit them.
• Find the section of the official documentation that lists prerequisites; every tool assumes something about your system.

When you are ready, follow the project's own instructions from its official page — that is the version the maintainers test and keep correct. This note exists so you can find your bearings before you start.