Git Tutorial – Part 2: Understanding Git and Connecting to Your Self-Hosted GitLab

Understanding Git and Connecting to Your Self-Hosted GitLab : In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Understand the difference between Git and GitLab.
• Create your first project in your self-hosted GitLab server.
• Clone a repository to your Windows 11 computer.
• Verify the connection between your local machine and GitLab.

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What is Git?

Git is a distributed Version Control System (VCS) used to:

• Track changes made to files.
• Maintain a complete history of code changes.
• Allow multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously.
• Restore previous versions if needed.

Git works locally on your computer.

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What is GitLab?

GitLab is a web-based platform that hosts Git repositories.

It allows you to:

• Store repositories on a central server.
• Collaborate with team members.
• Manage projects.
• Review code using Merge Requests.
• Track issues and bugs.
• Control user permissions.

In your environment, GitLab is hosted on your organization’s own server (self-hosted GitLab).

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Git vs GitLab

Git	GitLab
Installed on your computer	Hosted on a server
Tracks file changes	Stores Git repositories
Works offline	Requires network access
Command-line tool	Web application

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Step 1: Sign In to Your Self-Hosted GitLab

1. Open your web browser.
2. Navigate to your organization’s GitLab URL.

Example:

https://gitlab.yourcompany.com

3. Enter your username and password.
4. Click Sign In.

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Step 2: Create Your First Project

After signing in:

1. Click New Project.
2. Select Create Blank Project.
3. Enter the following information.

Project Name

GitTutorial

Project Slug

gittutorial

Visibility

Choose one of the following based on your organization’s policy:

• Private
• Internal
• Public

Most organizations use Private.

4. Check the option:

Initialize repository with a README

5. Click Create Project.

Your first repository is now created.

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Step 3: Copy the Repository URL

Once the project is created:

Locate the Clone button.

You will see two options:

HTTPS

Example

https://gitlab.yourcompany.com/training/gittutorial.git

SSH

Example

git@gitlab.yourcompany.com:training/gittutorial.git

For beginners, use HTTPS unless your organization specifically requires SSH.

Copy the HTTPS URL.

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Step 4: Open Visual Studio Code

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Open the integrated terminal by selecting:

Terminal
→ New Terminal

or press

Ctrl + `

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Step 5: Navigate to Your Working Folder

Example:

cd C:\Projects

If the folder does not exist:

mkdir C:\Projects
cd C:\Projects

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Step 6: Clone the Repository

Run:

git clone https://gitlab.yourcompany.com/training/gittutorial.git

Example output:

Cloning into 'gittutorial'...
Receiving objects: 100%
Resolving deltas: 100%

Git downloads the repository from GitLab to your computer.

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Step 7: Open the Project

Move into the project folder:

cd gittutorial

Open it in Visual Studio Code:

code .

The project is now ready for development.

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Step 8: Verify the Remote Repository

Run:

git remote -v

Example output:

origin  https://gitlab.yourcompany.com/training/gittutorial.git (fetch)
origin  https://gitlab.yourcompany.com/training/gittutorial.git (push)

This confirms that your local repository is connected to the remote GitLab repository.

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Step 9: Check Repository Status

Run:

git status

Example output:

On branch main

Your branch is up to date with 'origin/main'.

nothing to commit, working tree clean

This indicates:

• You are on the main branch.
• Your local repository is synchronized with GitLab.
• There are no pending changes.

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Summary

This is all about Understanding Git and Connecting to Your Self-Hosted GitLab. You have successfully learned how to:

• Understand the roles of Git and GitLab.
• Create a project in your self-hosted GitLab instance.
• Clone a repository to your Windows 11 PC.
• Open the project in Visual Studio Code.
• Verify the remote connection.
• Check the repository status.

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Next Tutorial

The next chapter will cover:

• Creating new files
• Understanding the Git lifecycle
• Using git status
• Staging changes with git add
• Creating commits with git commit
• Viewing commit history with git log
• Understanding the difference between the Working Directory, Staging Area, Local Repository, and Remote Repository

Click Here to view the Next tutorial.

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Tutorial Index:

• Part 1: Git Installation and Setup Guide
• Part 2: Understanding Git and Connecting to Your Self-Hosted GitLab
• Part 3: Git Workflow – Creating, Staging, and Committing Changes
• Part 4: Working with Remote Repositories (Push, Pull, and Fetch)
• Part 5: Working with Git Branches
• Part 6: Understanding and Resolving Merge Conflicts