The Git server manages all files stored in version control. Unlike Git client computers, the Git server is a bare repository that doesn't have its own working directory for performing file modifications. This topic describes how to install and configure a Git server in a Windows folder that is shared with other Windows-based computers connected to the same local area network. For information about how to install Git on a non-Windows computer, see Getting Git on a Server.
Note If you're using an external Git service to host your files, rather than a networked computer, you don't need to install and configure the Git server. Instead, you only need to create a Git repository with your chosen service. For example, see Creating a new repository for information about how to create a repository on github.com.
To install the Git server on a Windows-based computer
- On the computer on which you want to host the Git server, download the latest version of Git for Windows from git.scm.com.
- Run the installer to install the Git software.
Tip When installing, use the default installer options.
- After installation is complete, in Windows File Explorer, create the directory in which you want to add one or more Git repositories.
- Share the directory on your network, and give all users who will contribute to the repository Read/Write access.
- Right-click the directory, and then click Git Bash Here on the shortcut menu.
The Git command prompt opens, with its working directory set to the selected directory.
- Type the command:
git init your_repository_name.git --bare
where your_repository_name is the name of the Git repository that you want to create to store documentation files.
Note As a best practice, use a short repository name without any spaces (for example, docrepo). This makes the repository easy to access in command-line operations.
You have now created the Git server. You are now ready to install the Git software on one or more writers' computers and add files to the repository.