Getting Started
2. Initializing Git and Creating Your GitLab Project
First things first, make sure you have Git installed on your machine. Git is the engine that powers the whole version control system. If you're not sure, open your terminal or command prompt and type `git --version`. If you get a version number, you're golden. If not, head over to git-scm.com and download the installer for your operating system. It's a pretty straightforward process, so don't worry.
Next, navigate to your project's root directory in your terminal. This is where all your code lives. Once you're there, type `git init`. This command essentially tells Git, "Hey, I want to start tracking changes in this folder." It creates a hidden `.git` folder that keeps track of all the magic behind the scenes.
Now, hop over to GitLab and create a new project. Give it a name, a description (be creative!), and choose whether you want it to be public or private. Once you've created the project, GitLab will give you a URL — that's the address where your code will live on the GitLab server. Copy that URL; you'll need it shortly.
Back in your terminal, it's time to connect your local project to your remote GitLab repository. Use the command `git remote add origin `. Replace `` with the URL you copied from GitLab. This command tells Git, "Hey, this is the remote repository I want to sync with." Now, Git knows where to send your code.