Git Credential Basics
What are Git Credentials?
Git credentials are authentication mechanisms that allow you to securely connect and interact with remote repositories. They help verify your identity when pushing, pulling, or performing other operations with remote Git servers.
Types of Git Credentials
1. Personal Access Tokens
Personal access tokens provide a secure way to authenticate without using your primary password. They can be easily revoked and have specific access permissions.
graph LR
A[User] --> B[Personal Access Token]
B --> C[Remote Repository]
2. SSH Keys
SSH keys offer a more secure and convenient authentication method using public-key cryptography.
Authentication Method |
Security Level |
Ease of Use |
Personal Access Token |
Medium |
Easy |
SSH Key |
High |
Moderate |
Credential Storage Mechanisms
Git supports multiple credential storage options:
- Cache Mode: Temporarily stores credentials in memory
- Store Mode: Saves credentials in a plain text file
- Keychain Mode: Uses system-specific secure credential management
Basic Credential Configuration
To configure Git credentials on Ubuntu 22.04, you can use the following commands:
## Set global username
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
## Set global email
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"
## Configure credential helper
git config --global credential.helper store
Best Practices
- Use personal access tokens instead of passwords
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Regularly rotate your credentials
- Use SSH keys for enhanced security
By understanding these Git credential basics, you can securely manage your repository access with LabEx's recommended practices.