System Installation

Installing Your Navigation Computer

Before you can launch, you need to install the navigation system on your spacecraft. Git installation varies by operating system, but the process is straightforward. Let's get your systems online.

Installation by Operating System

Windows Astronauts

Windows users have several options:

Option 1: Git for Windows (Recommended)

1. Visit git-scm.com/download/win
2. Download the installer
3. Run the installer with default settings (they're well-chosen)
4. This includes Git Bash, a Unix-style terminal that many developers prefer

Option 2: GitHub Desktop

1. Visit desktop.github.com
2. Download and install GitHub Desktop
3. This includes Git and provides a graphical interface
4. Great for beginners, though command-line knowledge is still valuable

macOS Astronauts

Mac users have multiple paths:

Option 1: Xcode Command Line Tools (Built-in)

xcode-select --install

This installs Git along with other developer tools.

Option 2: Homebrew (Recommended)

brew install git

Homebrew keeps Git updated easily. If you don't have Homebrew, get it from brew.sh.

Option 3: Git Installer

1. Visit git-scm.com/download/mac
2. Download and run the installer

Linux Astronauts

Linux users can install via their package manager:

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

Fedora:

sudo dnf install git

Arch:

sudo pacman -S git

Verifying Installation

After installation, verify Git is working:

git --version

You should see output like:

git version 2.40.0

The exact version number doesn't matter much—any recent version will work fine.

Accessing the Command Line

Git primarily works through the command line—your spacecraft's control terminal. Here's how to access it:

• Windows: Git Bash (installed with Git), Command Prompt, or PowerShell
• macOS: Terminal (in Applications → Utilities)
• Linux: Your distribution's terminal emulator

First Contact with the Command Line

If you're new to command-line interfaces, don't worry. Think of it as typing commands directly to your spacecraft computer instead of clicking buttons.

Try this test command:

git help

You'll see a list of common Git commands. Don't try to memorize them—this is just confirming everything works.

Understanding Git Help

Git has excellent built-in documentation. You can get help three ways:

git help <command>
git <command> --help
man git-<command>

For example, to learn about the commit command:

git help commit

This opens detailed documentation. Press 'q' to quit the help viewer.

Optional: GUI Tools

While we'll focus on command-line Git (it's more powerful and universal), graphical tools exist:

• GitHub Desktop: Simple, beginner-friendly
• GitKraken: Powerful, beautiful interface
• Sourcetree: Free, feature-rich
• VS Code: Built-in Git support (we'll cover this later)

These are useful, but learning command-line Git first gives you deeper understanding and more flexibility.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Command Not Found

If typing git --version says "command not found":

• Make sure Git installed successfully
• Try closing and reopening your terminal
• On Windows, make sure you're using Git Bash or have added Git to your PATH

Permission Errors

If you get permission errors during installation:

• On macOS/Linux, use sudo with the install command
• On Windows, run the installer as Administrator

What's Next?

With Git installed, you're ready to learn the basic terminal commands you'll use alongside Git. These commands let you navigate your file system, create directories, and manage files—essential skills for any astronaut.