Setting up Git for RStudio

Overview

This guide explains how to set up Git with RStudio and connect it to GitHub using a Personal Access Token (PAT).

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1. Create a GitHub Account

If you don’t have a GitHub account yet, go to https://github.com/join and follow the steps to create one. You will need this account to host repositories and generate a Personal Access Token (PAT).

2. Install Git

Windows

• Download Git: https://git-scm.com/download/win
  
• Use default installation options unless you have specific needs.

macOS

brew install git

Or install the Xcode Command Line Tools:

xcode-select --install

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install git

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3. Configure Git

After installation, set your identity in a terminal (or in RStudio’s Terminal tab):

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your@email.com"

Check Git is available:

git --version

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4. Connect Git to RStudio

1. Open RStudio → Tools → Global Options.
   
2. Go to Git/SVN.
   
3. Confirm the path to Git (e.g., /usr/bin/git or C:/Program Files/Git/bin/git.exe).
   
4. Enable version control interface for RStudio projects.

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5. Generate a GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT)

1. Go to GitHub → Settings → Developer settings → Personal access tokens → Tokens (classic).
   
2. Click Generate new token (classic).
   
3. Select:
   • Expiration (e.g., 90 days or “No expiration”)
     
   • Scopes: check at least
     • repo (for repository access)
       
     • workflow (if you plan to use GitHub Actions)
       
4. Copy and save the token (you will not see it again).

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6. Store the Token in R

Use the gitcreds R package:

install.packages("gitcreds")

# Store your token securely
gitcreds::gitcreds_set()

Paste your PAT when prompted. This saves it in your system credential manager.

Check the stored credential:

gitcreds::gitcreds_get()

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7. Work with Git in RStudio

• Clone a repository:
  File → New Project → Version Control → Git → paste repo URL

• Connect an existing project:
  Tools → Version Control → Project Setup → Git

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Summary

• Install Git on your system.
  
• Configure Git with your name and email.
  
• Link RStudio to Git.
  
• Use a Personal Access Token (PAT) instead of a password.
  
• Store the token securely with gitcreds.

Now RStudio is ready to work with GitHub repositories.