Using GitKraken for Version Control

A visual way to versioning your project with ease

Jean-Noel Seneque
3 min readJul 23, 2021
Yay Me!

Recently I have shifted from a GITBASH version control to a more user friendlier application called GitKraken. GitKraken makes committing my changes so much easier and on top on it all I get to see, “visually”, the journey of my project at every stage.

I have really embraced this application into every game I develop life cycle that I have recently become an official GitKraken Ambassador.

In this article, I will demonstrate how to setup a Unity project (or any other project) on GitHub using GitKraken Desktop Application.

Let’s get started. If you have not download GitKraken, head over to https://www.gitkraken.com/ and download it.

After installing, launch GitKraken, and navigate to File > Init Repo or press CTRL + I to open the Repository Management screen.

Initialise a Repo

In my case, I am using GitHub.com to store the repository. As you can see, you have a number of other option to choose from. Select your preferred service.

If you have not already done so, setup the details to access that service and select it. In this example, I have selected my Github.com account.

Name: <Enter the name you wish to call your project on the repository>

Description: (optional) <Enter a description>

Access: <Private or Public>

Clone after init: After GitKraken has created the repository (repo) on GitHub.com, clone it to the folder path you have selected in the next part.

Where to clone to: <Select a path>

Full path: By default it will create a new folder at that path with the name of the project you enter earlier. You may override this name here.

Default branch name: Default to main, but again you may override it here

.gitignore Template: < In this example, I select Unity>

Licence: (Optional) <Choose a licence>

Click on the Create Repository and Clone button (if you selected Clone after init)

You should now have a similar screen below with the first initial commit. This is the time to move any exist Unity files to this new local repository.

Click on Stage all changes button, enter a comment, Commit the changes and Push to the server repository as shown below.

That’s it. Now GitKraken will detect any changes you make to the folder, and remember the golden rule. Pull, Stage and Commit and Push.

In the next article, I will go through the Branching and Merging feature using GitKraken. Such a well implement, visual feature in GitKraken that will you wondering where has GitKraken been all your life.

Try out GitKraken and when you do decide to purchase the Pro licence (or Enterprise), please use my referral code https://www.gitkraken.com/invite/dUbNaHZ8

If you enjoyed reading this article give me a Clap, also if you would like to see more, “Follow” me, so you may be notified of future releases. You may also send me a message if you need any further help.

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Jean-Noel Seneque

A Data & Analytics Consultant who is expanding into developing experiences in XR, Enterprise and Gaming space using Unity www.jeannoelseneque.com