Getting started
Fox Git is a desktop Git client, and every Git operation runs the Git installed on your computer. This page walks you through the prerequisites, opening your first repository, and the main areas of the workbench.
Set up Git
Fox Git requires system Git 2.36 or later (features such as worktree list -z need it). Check in a terminal:
git --version- macOS: install the Xcode Command Line Tools, or install the latest Git with Homebrew.
- Windows: install Git for Windows.
- Linux: install or upgrade
gitwith your distribution's package manager.
Your ~/.gitconfig, repository hooks, credential helpers, and SSH config all keep working — Fox Git does not maintain a separate Git configuration.
Install Fox Git
Pick your platform on the download page. Fox Git is in developer preview and installers will be published with the public release; until then, the download buttons explain how to request early access.
Open your first repository
After launch, you can start in three ways:
| Option | Entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open repository | ⌘O | Choose an existing local Git repository folder |
| Clone repository | ⌘⇧O | Enter a URL and parent folder; the folder name is inferred from the URL. Shows phases and progress and can be cancelled at any time |
| Initialize repository | Command palette | Choose or create a folder with the system picker; runs git init and opens it |
If the remote asks for a username, password, token, or SSH passphrase while cloning, Fox Git shows a credential prompt — see Remote sync. Leftover target folders are cleaned up when a clone fails or is cancelled, and non-empty target folders are rejected.
Find your way around
The activity bar on the left switches views, each with a shortcut:
| View | Shortcut | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer | ⌘1 | File tree with read-only preview, blame, and file history |
| Changes | ⌘2 | Conflicts / Staged / Unstaged / Untracked and committing |
| History | ⌘3 | Commit graph, search, and context-menu actions |
| Branches | ⌘4 | Local branches, remote branches, and tags |
| Stashes | ⌘5 | Stash list, files, and diffs |
| Worktrees | ⌘6 | Worktrees of the current repository |
Fetch, Pull, and Push are always in the top toolbar. ⌘P opens the Quick Switcher to search files, changes, commits, branches, and repositories; ⌘⇧P searches commands only. Use Ctrl instead of ⌘ on Windows and Linux. See Shortcuts and Quick Switcher for more.
Next steps
- Ready to commit: read Changes and commits.
- Want to know where some code came from: read File view and blame.
- Hit a merge conflict: read Conflict resolution.