---
title: "Git"
date: 2025-01-15
featureImageCaption: Author unknown. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Linus-Torvalds.jpeg), “Linus Torvalds”, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
summary: "Git is more than just a version control system; it embodies principles of decentralization, resilience, and user self-determination. This article explores how Git's distributed architecture aligns with the values of civil society organizations, enabling them to maintain control over their digital infrastructure."
---

## Git: The Version Control Superpower

Most of us have, at some point, saved a file as `project.doc`, then later as `project-final.doc`, then finally as `project-final-final2.doc`. 😅 That mess is what Git was created to solve. Git is a **version control system**—a tool that lets you track every change to your files, collaborate safely with others, and rewind history if something goes wrong.

{{<definition>}}
**Version Control System (VCS)**: Software that records changes to files over time so you can recall specific versions later. It allows multiple people to work on the same files without overwriting each other’s work.
{{</definition>}}

---

## A little backstory

In 2005, Linus Torvalds (the creator of Linux) needed a better way for thousands of people all over the world to contribute code to the Linux kernel without stepping on each other’s toes. He wrote Git in a few weeks, and it became the backbone of modern software development. Today, Git powers not just Linux, but nearly every open-source project, GitHub, GitLab, and the tools you’ll use in your Wild Cloud journey.

{{<go-deeper>}}
Want to see how radical Git was at the time? Check out Linus’s announcement on the [Linux Kernel mailing list](https://lwn.net/Articles/130681/). His blunt, hackerish style makes it clear he was building this tool to scratch a serious itch.
{{</go-deeper>}}

---

## Why Git matters for you

Even if you’re not a professional software developer, Git is a huge enabler. It means:

* Every change you make is recorded (and reversible).
* You can experiment in a “branch” without breaking your main project.
* Collaborating with friends or colleagues is safe and trackable.
* Your entire history can be backed up anywhere (including in your wild cloud).

{{<bring-it-home>}}
When you’re running Wild Cloud, you’ll use Git to fetch software, manage your configurations, and share your work with the community. It’s the glue that holds your setup scripts together.
{{</bring-it-home>}}

---

## Getting started with Git

### Install Git

On Ubuntu or Debian:

```bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git
```

On macOS (with Homebrew):

```bash
brew install git
```

Verify the install:

```bash
git --version
```

### Configure Git

Set your identity:

```bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
```

### Make your first repo

```bash
mkdir my-first-git
cd my-first-git
git init
```

Add a file:

```bash
echo "Hello Wild Cloud" > readme.txt
git add readme.txt
git commit -m "Add first file"
```

That’s it! You’ve captured your first snapshot of history. 🎉

---

## ⚠️ Warning

Git is powerful but unforgiving: commands like `git reset --hard` can **destroy uncommitted work** permanently. Always double-check before running destructive commands.

---

## Next Steps

* Try editing `readme.txt`, then running `git diff` to see your changes.
* Explore branching with `git checkout -b new-idea`.
* Back up your repo by pushing to [GitHub](https://github.com/) or hosting your own Git server in your wild cloud.

---

👉 So, Git isn’t just for coders—it’s for anyone who wants to keep control of their digital work. Once you start using it, you may wonder how you ever kept track of files without it.
