How to Add Code to UBVCS with SmartGit

Operating System: Any

Applies To: Faculty or Staff using CaaS  

Last Reviewed: October 29, 2024

1. Generate a set of SSH keys
   1. Go to https://keygen.apps.buffalo.edu
   2. Enter your @buffalo.edu email address
   3. Click Submit
2. Save your SSH key pair to your workstation/laptop
   1. Create a directory to store your SSH keys (if it doesn't already exist)
      
      • Linux and Mac: use ~/.ssh/
      • Windows: use %HOMEPATH%\ssh\
   2. Download the public and private keys generated in Step 1 to the ssh directory
3. Add the public key to your account
   1. Open a new browser tab or window
   2. Go to https://ubvcs.buffalo.edu/user/settings
   3. Select SSH Keys from the navigation pane on the left
   4. Enter a Key Name (we recommend you use the host name of your workstation/laptop)
   5. Copy the public key generated in Step 1 and paste it in the Content text box
   6. Click Add Key
4. Download and install SmartGit
   • http://www.syntevo.com/smartgit/download
5. Initialize a local repository
   1. Open SmartGit
   2. Select Add an existing local or create a new repository from the window that pops up and click OK
   3. Select the directory that holds your files and click OK
   4. Click Initialize if asked to initialize your directory as a new Git repository
6. Add UBVCS as the remote repository for your files
   
   1. Open the Remote menu and select Add
      
   2. Enter the SSH URI for the repository you created in UBVCS (see Prerequisites, above)
   3. Click Add
   4. Select the Private Key File you downloaded in Step 2 (<email_address>_id_rsa)
   5. Select Login
7. Commit your files
   
   1. Select all of your files (or just the files you want in the repository) from the pane on the right
   2. Right click on one of the files
   3. Select Commit
   4. Enter a Commit Message (e.g., Initial commit)
   5. Select Commit & Push
      
8. Your files should now be accessible from your UBVCS code repository. Any updates to your code can be pushed to your repository by repeating Step 7.