If you’re new to Git and want a visual, beginner-friendly tool, GitKraken is one of the best places to start.
Instead of memorizing commands, GitKraken lets us manage branches, commits, and merges using a clean graphical interface.
In this guide, we’ll discuss:
- Prerequisites
- Installation steps
- Initial setup
- Connecting to GitHub (optional)
- Creating your first repository
Let’s get started.
What Is GitKraken?
GitKraken is a cross-platform Git GUI client that works on:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
It provides a visual commit graph, branch management, and integration with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
Prerequisites
Before installing GitKraken, make sure you have:
1️⃣ Git Installed on Your System
GitKraken uses Git in the background.
To check if Git is installed:
Open your terminal or command prompt and run:
git --version
If you see a version number, you’re good to go.
If not, download Git from:
Install it with default settings.
2️⃣ A Git Hosting Account (Optional)
If you plan to push code to the cloud, create an account on:
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
- Azure DevOps
This is optional if you’re just working locally.
Step 1: Download and Install GitKraken
- Go to:
👉 https://www.gitkraken.com/
- Click Download GitKraken Desktop Free
- Choose your operating system and download
- Run the installer
Step 2: Launch GitKraken and Sign In
When you open GitKraken for the first time, it will ask you to sign in.
You can sign in using:
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
- Azure DevOps
And at the bottom, we can also see:
- Sign in
- Skip this step
Signing in allows us to integrate your repositories and use cloud features.
If you only want local usage, you can still proceed after signing in.
You might wonder — what should you do?
Option A: Connect GitHub (Recommended)
If you already use GitHub:
- Click GitHub
- Authorize GitKraken
- Sign in
This allows us to:
- Clone repositories easily
- Push code directly
- Manage pull requests
- Sync with our GitHub account
This is recommended for most beginners.
Option B: Skip This Step (For Local Practice)
If we just want to:
- Learn Git basics
- Create repositories locally
- Practice commits and branches
Click:
Skip this step
After skipping Git provider connection, GitKraken asks:
“How comfortable are you with Git?”
This is not a test.
It simply helps GitKraken customize:
- Tips and onboarding guidance
- UI hints
- Feature suggestions
It does NOT limit features permanently.
GitKraken works perfectly without connecting to a cloud provider. You can connect later from: Preferences → Integrations
If you don’t want onboarding tips, click: “Just take me to the app.”
Step 3: Confirm Your Git Author Details
GitKraken will ask you to confirm your Git author details (if they are not already configured).
Git requires:
- A name
- An email
These details are attached to every commit you make.
If Git is already configured on your system, this step may be skipped automatically.
Otherwise, enter your name and email, then click: Use these for Git Commits
Step 4: GitKraken Dashboard
After setup, we’ll see the main GitKraken dashboard.
We’ll have options like:
- Start tutorial
- Open repository
- Clone repository
If we’re new, we can click Start tutorial for a quick overview. We can watch or skip and create a repo.
If we already have a repository in local, choose: Open repository
If we already have a repository in a remote server like GitHub, choose: Clone repository
Step 5: Explore GitKraken
Let’s open GitKraken again after setup to explore.
take a moment to explore the File tab in the top menu bar.
You’ll find several useful options, including:
- Clone Repo – Download a repository from GitHub or another provider.
- Init Repo – Initialize a new Git repository in a folder.
- Open Repo – Open an existing local Git repository.
- Open Repo Management – Manage and view recently opened repositories.
- Open Repo in External Editor – Open your project in your configured code editor (such as VS Code).
- Install GitKraken CLI – Install the GitKraken command-line tool for terminal integration.
You don’t need to use these options immediately.
Final Thoughts
GYou’ve now completed the initial setup of GitKraken and explored the main interface.
At this stage, you have:
- Installed Git
- Installed GitKraken
- Configured your Git author details
- Reopened the application
- Explored the dashboard and File menu options
You haven’t created a repository yet — and that’s perfectly fine.
The goal of this guide was to:
- Make you comfortable with the interface
- Help you understand where important actions are located
- Reduce confusion before working with real projects
Getting familiar with the environment first makes the learning process smoother and less intimidating.
In the next step, you can:
- Create your first repository
- Make your first commit
- Explore branching and merging
Take your time, explore confidently, and remember — Git is easier when you understand the tools around it.l.