content/desktop/installing-and-authenticating-to-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop.md

metadata

title: Setting up GitHub Desktop
shortTitle: Setup
intro: >-
  You can set up {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to suit your
  needs and contribute to projects.
redirect_from:
  - /desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop
  - /desktop/installing-and-configuring-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop
  - >-
    /desktop/installing-and-configuring-github-desktop/installing-and-authenticating-to-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop
versions:
  fpt: '*'
  ghec: '*'
  ghes: '*'

Part 1: Installing {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}

You can install {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} on any supported operating system. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.

To install {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}, navigate to https://desktop.github.com/ and download the appropriate version of {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} for your operating system. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.

Part 2: Configuring your account

If you have an account on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} or {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %}, you can use {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to exchange data between your local and remote repositories.

Creating an account

If you do not already have an account on {% data variables.product.github %}, create one now.{% ifversion fpt or ghec %} For more information, see AUTOTITLE.{% endif %}

{% ifversion ghec %}If you're part of an organization that uses {% data variables.product.prodname_emus %} and you do not have an account, contact your enterprise administrator.{% elsif ghes %}If you're a member of an organization that uses {% data variables.product.prodname_ghe_server %} and you do not have an account, contact your site administrator.{% endif %}

Authenticating to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}

To connect to {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} with {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}, you'll need to authenticate your account. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.

After authenticating your account, you are ready to manage and contribute to projects with {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}.

Part 3: Configuring Git

To start working with {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}, you need to configure the name and email associated with your Git commits. See AUTOTITLE.

If you also want to use Git on the command line, you need to install Git yourself. The latest version of Git is available from https://git-scm.com/downloads.

Part 4: Customizing {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}

You can adjust defaults and settings to tailor {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to your needs.

Choosing a default text editor

You can open a text editor from {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} to manipulate files and repositories. {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} supports a variety of text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) for Windows and macOS. You can choose a default editor in the {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} settings. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.

Choosing a theme

{% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} has multiple themes available to customize the look and feel of the app. You can choose a theme in the {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} settings. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.