Quick answer: Run sudo apt install git on Ubuntu/Debian or sudo dnf install git on AlmaLinux/Rocky, then set your identity with git config --global user.name and user.email. Use SSH keys to pull private repositories onto the server.
Overview
Git is how code gets onto your server cleanly: clone a repository, pull updates, roll back mistakes. Combined with SSH deploy keys, it beats copying files by hand every time.
Before you start
- SSH access to your server.
- A repository to clone (GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket or self-hosted).
Step-by-step guide
- Install:
# Ubuntu/Debian sudo apt -y install git # AlmaLinux/Rocky sudo dnf -y install git git --version - Configure your identity (used in commit metadata):
git config --global user.name "Your Name" git config --global user.email "[email protected]" - For private repos, create a key on the server and add it to your Git host as a deploy key:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "server-deploy-key" cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub - Clone:
git clone [email protected]:user/repo.git # or public repos over HTTPS: git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git - Update later with
git pullfrom inside the repo directory.
Common issues
Permission denied (publickey): the server's public key isn't added to the Git host — see how SSH keys work.- Password prompts on HTTPS: GitHub removed password auth — use SSH or a personal access token.
- "dubious ownership" warning: the repo belongs to another user —
git config --global --add safe.directory /pathor fix ownership.
When to contact support
Git workflow questions are application-level; for server access problems, open a ticket.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clone a private repository onto my server?
Generate an SSH key on the server with ssh-keygen, add the public key to your Git host as a deploy key, then clone using the SSH URL such as [email protected]:user/repo.git.
Why does GitHub reject my password when cloning?
GitHub no longer accepts account passwords over HTTPS. Authenticate with an SSH key or create a personal access token and use it in place of the password.
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