404 — Git Configuration and Productivity

Master Git configuration to boost your productivity. Learn about config levels, useful settings, powerful aliases, and customizations that professional developers use daily.

Learning Objectives

Understand Git config levels (system, global, local)

Configure essential Git settings

Create powerful aliases for common workflows

Set up credential helpers

Customize Git behavior for efficiency

Step 1

View current Git configuration

See all your current Git settings and where they come from.

Commands to Run

git config --list

git config --list --show-origin

What This Does

The first command lists all configuration values. The `--show-origin` flag shows which file each setting comes from. Git configuration is hierarchical with three levels.

Expected Outcome

List of all Git config values, including user.name, user.email, and many defaults. With --show-origin you see file paths.

Pro Tips

1
Three config levels: system (all users), global (you), local (this repo)
2
Settings cascade: local overrides global overrides system
3
Use --show-origin to debug config issues