Git Set Editor - Shell/Bash

Introduction

As a programmer, you often work with Git version control system to manage your source code. Git provides various configuration options to customize its behavior. One such option is core.editor, which allows you to set the default text editor for Git's interactive commands.

In this guide, we will explore how to set the Git editor using Shell/Bash commands. We will cover how to check the current editor, set a new editor, and verify the changes.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure that you have Git installed on your system and have basic knowledge of using Shell or Bash commands.

Checking Current Git Editor

To check the currently configured Git editor, you can use the following command:

git config --get core.editor

This command will display the currently set Git editor. If it returns nothing, it means the editor is not yet configured.

Setting a New Git Editor

To set a new Git editor, you can use the following command:

git config --global core.editor "your-editor-command"

Replace "your-editor-command" with the command to launch your desired text editor. For example, if you want to use Vim as the Git editor, you can set the command as "vim". The --global flag ensures that the editor is set globally for all Git repositories.

You can also set the editor on a per-repository basis by omitting the --global flag. This will set the editor only for the current repository.

Verifying the Changes

After setting the new Git editor, you can verify the changes using the following command:

git config --get core.editor

This command will display the newly set Git editor. Make sure it matches the editor you intended to set.

Conclusion

Setting the Git editor using Shell/Bash commands allows you to customize your Git experience according to your preferences. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily check the current editor, set a new editor, and verify the changes.

Remember to choose an editor that you are comfortable with and that supports the features you need for efficient code management. Happy coding with Git!