Once and for all: How to install git on Mac OS X

  • Download the git installer here. Get the newest version; it should be at the top of the list. Open the file.
  • Open the .pkg file and follow the instructions.
  • Open a Terminal window.
  • Type in 
    cd /Volumes/Git
    then press Tab and Enter. This should take you to the disk image you just downloaded.
  • Type in 
    ./setup
    then press Tab and then Enter. This should run the file that sets up your PATH variables. This is important because it lets you use git from the Terminal.

Git should now be installed. It’s very likely that whatever Git server you’re using will want you to have a SSH keypair in order to authenticate. Here’s how to make those.

  • Open a Terminal window.
  • Type in 
    ssh-keygen -t rsa
    then press Enter. Press Enter at all the prompts.
  • Type in 
    cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
    and press Enter. Copy the output from the Terminal. This is your public key.