Managing Git Credentials and Passwords

Git is a powerful version control system that allows developers to collaborate on projects. When working with remote repositories, such as those hosted on BitBucket or GitHub, Git uses credentials to authenticate users. In this tutorial, we will explore how to manage Git credentials and update passwords.

Understanding Git Credentials

When you clone a repository or push changes to a remote repository, Git prompts you for your username and password. To avoid entering these credentials every time, Git stores them in a credential helper. The default credential helper varies depending on the operating system:

• On macOS, the default credential helper is osxkeychain.
• On Windows, the default credential helper is wincred.

Updating Git Passwords

If you change your password for a remote repository, you will need to update the cached credentials in Git. Here are the steps to follow:

macOS

1. Open a terminal and run the command git config --global credential.helper osxkeychain. This sets the credential helper to use the Keychain.
2. Run a Git command that requires authentication, such as git pull or git push.
3. Enter your new username and password when prompted.

Alternatively, if you have previously stored credentials in the Keychain, you can remove them using the command git config --global --unset user.password. Then, run a Git command that requires authentication to re-enter your credentials.

Windows

1. Open the Credential Manager:
   • Press the Windows key and type "Credential Manager" or "Windows Credentials".
   • Alternatively, navigate to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Credential Manager.
2. Find the entry for your Git repository under "Windows Credentials" or "Generic Credentials".
3. Edit the entry to update your password.

Using the Command Line

If you prefer to use the command line, you can update your Git password by running a command that requires authentication, such as git pull https://[email protected]/your-repo.git. When prompted, enter your new password.

Best Practices

To keep your credentials secure:

• Use a secure password manager to generate and store unique, strong passwords for each repository.
• Avoid storing sensitive information, such as passwords, in plain text files or environment variables.
• Regularly review and update your credentials to ensure they are up-to-date and secure.

By following these steps and best practices, you can effectively manage your Git credentials and keep your repositories secure.