Install GitOptional
Learn what Git is, when you need it, and how to install it when you're ready to publish or collaborate.
Good news—you do not need Git to start using CamelMind.
You can create a documentation site, edit pages, and preview your changes locally without installing Git. You'll only need it when you're ready to publish your site online, back up your work, or collaborate with others.
If you're just exploring CamelMind, feel free to skip this guide for now.
Understanding Git for version control
Git is a command-line tool that tracks changes to your project files over time.
Think of Git as a save history for your entire project. Every time you reach a milestone, you save a snapshot (called a commit) and return to it later if something goes wrong.
Git allows you to:
- Save your project history
- Undo mistakes
- Review changes over time
- Collaborate with teammates
Comparing Git versus GitHub
While people often mention these tools together, they fulfill distinct roles:
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Git | Tracks file changes on your computer. |
| GitHub | Stores your Git repository online so you can back up your work, collaborate with others, and deploy your site. |
Think of Git as a physical notebook and GitHub as cloud backup for that notebook.
Deciding if you need to install Git for CamelMind
Review this requirements breakdown to determine whether your CamelMind documentation workflow requires a local Git installation right now:
| If you want to... | Git required? |
|---|---|
| Create a CamelMind site | ❌ No |
| Edit documentation | ❌ No |
| Preview your site locally | ❌ No |
| Keep a history of your changes | ✅ Recommended |
| Collaborate with teammates | ✅ Yes |
| Deploy with GitHub | ✅ Yes |
| Deploy to Vercel or Netlify | ❌ No (but recommended) |
Most new users learn Git after building their first documentation site.
Installing Git on your operating system
When you are ready to set up Git, select your operating system below:
macOS often includes Git by default.
To check your system, open a terminal and run:
git --version
If your system lacks Git, macOS prompts you to install the Xcode Command Line Tools.
Alternatively, install Git using Homebrew:
brew install git
Download the installer directly from git-scm.com and run setup using the default settings.
Install Git using your distribution's package manager, for example:
sudo apt install git
Verifying your Git installation
Confirm that your terminal recognizes Git by running:
git --version
If your terminal displays a version number, your installation succeeded.
Configuring Git for first-time setup
Provide Git with your name and email address so Git can attribute each commit to you:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
If you plan to use GitHub, enter the same email address registered to your GitHub account to link your commits automatically.
Next step: Create a Git repository
Now that you have installed and configured Git, you can set up a remote repository for hosting and deployment. Continue to the Create a Git repository guide.