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TortoiseGit is a Windows shell extension that provides a user-friendly interface for Git, the popular version control system. It integrates directly into Windows Explorer, allowing you to perform Git operations via context menus. This guide covers installing, configuring, and using TortoiseGit on Windows, along with common tasks and best practices.

Overview of TortoiseGit

TortoiseGit is built on top of msysGit (Git for Windows) and provides a graphical interface for Git commands. It’s ideal for users who prefer a GUI over command-line Git operations. Key features include:

Context menu integration in Windows Explorer.
Visual diff and merge tools.
Support for common Git workflows (commit, push, pull, branch, merge, etc.).
Integration with popular issue trackers and external tools.

Prerequisites

Before installing TortoiseGit, ensure you have:

A Windows operating system (Windows 10 or later recommended).
Git for Windows installed (TortoiseGit relies on it).
Basic understanding of Git concepts (repositories, commits, branches, etc.).

Installation

Install Git for Windows:
- Download the latest version from Git for Windows or Git SCM.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts. Recommended settings:
  - Use the default editor (e.g., Notepad) or choose one like VS Code.
  - Select “Use Git from the Windows Command Prompt” for accessibility.
  - Choose “OpenSSL” for HTTPS transport.
  - Select “Checkout as-is, commit as-is” for line endings (unless working with cross-platform teams).
- Complete the installation.
Install TortoiseGit:
- Download the latest version from TortoiseGit’s official website.
- Run the installer:
  - Choose the default language and components.
  - Ensure Git for Windows is detected (TortoiseGit will prompt if it’s missing).
  - Install TortoiseGitPlink (recommended for SSH) if needed.
- Restart your computer if prompted.
Verify Installation:
- Right-click in any folder in Windows Explorer. You should see TortoiseGit options like “Git Clone,” “Git Create Repository here,” etc.

Initial Configuration

After installation, configure TortoiseGit for your user details and preferences:

Set User Information:
- Right-click in a folder, select TortoiseGit > Settings.
- In the settings window, navigate to Git > Config.
- Enter your name and email (same as used in GitHub, GitLab, etc.):
```
Name: Your Name
Email: your.email@example.com
```
- Click Apply and OK.
Configure SSH (Optional):
- If using SSH for remote repositories, set up an SSH key:
  - Open PuTTYgen (installed with TortoiseGit).
  - Generate a new SSH key pair, save the private key, and copy the public key.
  - Add the public key to your Git hosting service (e.g., GitHub, GitLab).
  - In TortoiseGit settings, under Git > Remote, select TortoiseGitPlink as the SSH client.
Set Diff and Merge Tools:
- In TortoiseGit > Settings > Diff Viewer, choose a tool like TortoiseGitMerge (default) or an external tool like Beyond Compare.
- For merging, configure under Merge Tool (TortoiseGitMerge is recommended for beginners).

Basic Usage

Below are common TortoiseGit operations, accessible via right-click context menus in Windows Explorer.

1. Cloning a Repository

Right-click in a folder and select Git Clone.
In the dialog:
- Enter the repository URL (e.g., https://github.com/username/repo.git).
- Specify the local directory for the repository.
- Optionally, select a branch or load SSH keys.
Click OK to clone the repository.

2. Creating a New Repository

Navigate to a folder, right-click, and select Git Create Repository here.
Check “Make it Bare” if creating a server-side repository (rare for local use).
Click OK. A .git folder is created, initializing the repository.

3. Committing Changes

Add files to your repository folder.
Right-click the folder or selected files, then choose Git Commit -> “main” (or current branch).
In the commit dialog:
- Enter a commit message describing changes.
- Select files to stage (check boxes).
- Click OK or Commit & Push to push changes to the remote repository.

4. Pushing Changes

After committing, right-click and select TortoiseGit > Push.
Choose the remote repository and branch.
Authenticate if prompted (username/password for HTTPS or SSH key).
Click OK to push.

5. Pulling Changes

To update your local repository with remote changes, right-click and select TortoiseGit > Pull.
Select the remote branch and click OK.
Resolve conflicts if prompted (use the merge tool).

6. Creating and Switching Branches

Right-click and select TortoiseGit > Create Branch.
Enter a branch name and click OK.
To switch branches, right-click and select TortoiseGit > Switch/Checkout, then choose the branch.

7. Viewing History

Right-click and select TortoiseGit > Show Log.
View commit history, including author, date, and messages.
Right-click a commit to view changes, revert, or cherry-pick.

8. Resolving Merge Conflicts

During a pull or merge, if conflicts occur, TortoiseGit will notify you.
Right-click conflicting files and select TortoiseGit > Resolve.
Use the merge tool to edit conflicts manually, then mark as resolved.
Commit the resolved changes.

Advanced Features

Stashing Changes:
- To save uncommitted changes temporarily, right-click and select TortoiseGit > Stash Save.
- To retrieve stashed changes, select TortoiseGit > Stash Pop.
Rebasing:
- Right-click and select TortoiseGit > Rebase.
- Choose the branch to rebase onto and follow the prompts to reorder or squash commits.
Submodules:
- To manage submodules, right-click and select TortoiseGit > Submodule Update or Add.
- Configure submodule settings in the TortoiseGit settings.
Bisecting:
- To find a bug-introducing commit, use TortoiseGit > Bisect Start.
- Mark commits as “good” or “bad” to narrow down the problematic commit.

Best Practices

Commit Often: Make small, frequent commits with clear messages.
Pull Regularly: Keep your local repository updated to avoid conflicts.
Use Branches: Create feature branches for new work to keep the main branch stable.
Backup SSH Keys: Store SSH keys securely and back them up.
Review Changes: Use the diff viewer to review changes before committing.

Troubleshooting

Authentication Issues: Ensure SSH keys or credentials are correctly configured in your Git hosting service.
Merge Conflicts: Use TortoiseGitMerge to resolve conflicts visually. Back up files before merging.
Missing Context Menu: Check if TortoiseGit is installed correctly and Explorer integration is enabled in settings.
Slow Performance: Disable unnecessary overlays in TortoiseGit > Settings > Icon Overlays.

Example Workflow

Below is a sample workflow for contributing to a project:

Sample TortoiseGit Workflow

1. Clone the Repository

Right-click in a folder, select Git Clone.
Enter the repository URL and local directory.
Click OK.

2. Create a Feature Branch

Right-click, select TortoiseGit > Create Branch.
Name the branch (e.g., feature/add-login).
Click OK and switch to the new branch.

3. Make Changes

Edit files in the repository folder.
Right-click, select Git Commit -> “feature/add-login”.
Write a commit message and stage files.
Click Commit.

4. Push Changes

Right-click, select TortoiseGit > Push.
Choose the remote branch (e.g., origin/feature/add-login).
Click OK.

5. Create a Pull Request

On your Git hosting service (e.g., GitHub), create a pull request from your branch to the main branch.
Await review and merge.

6. Update Local Repository

Switch to the main branch (TortoiseGit > Switch/Checkout).
Pull updates (TortoiseGit > Pull).

Resources

Official Documentation: TortoiseGit Documentation
Git for Windows: Git SCM
Tutorials: Search for “TortoiseGit tutorial” on YouTube or tech blogs for visual guides.

TortoiseGit simplifies Git operations with its intuitive interface, making version control accessible for Windows users. If you need help with specific tasks or advanced configurations, let me know!

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