Last updated: November 2026
Learn a basic GitKraken Desktop workflow: clone a repository, create a branch, make and stage changes, commit them, push the branch, and merge the work back. These steps are for new Git users who want a practical first path through GitKraken Desktop.
Requirements and limits
- The steps cover a basic workflow, not every GitKraken Desktop option or edge case.
- You need access to a Git repository you can clone, change, commit to, and push from GitKraken Desktop.
- Whether you can push and merge depends on your remote permissions and repository policy.
- Resolving merge conflicts is outside these steps. See Branching and Merging.
Quick Start
- Clone a repository: Go to File > Clone Repo, paste a repository URL or browse your connected Git hosting service, and click Clone the repo!.
- Create a branch: Right-click any commit in the graph and select Create branch here. Name it and press Enter.
- Make changes: Edit files in your working directory. Saved changes appear under the WIP node in the Commit Graph.
- Stage changes: Click the WIP node to open the Commit Panel. Click files to stage them, or press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + S to stage all.
- Commit: Enter a commit message and press Cmd + Enter (macOS) or Ctrl + Enter (Windows/Linux).
- Push: Click Push in the toolbar to upload your branch to the remote.
- Merge: When your work is ready, check out the target branch, right-click your feature branch, and select Merge [feature branch] into [target branch].
If the merge has conflicts, GitKraken Desktop opens the Merge Tool, where you can select lines from each side and commit the resolution.
How to learn Git with GitKraken
This video series teaches Git concepts and how to apply them in GitKraken Desktop.
To see how version control fits into a DevOps workflow, read the GitKraken DevOps Tools Report.
GitKraken tutorials
Watch these video tutorials to learn the GitKraken Desktop interface.
How local repositories work
Most Git actions in GitKraken Desktop run in your local repository, on your machine. In the Commit Graph, the icon marks local branches.
Git is fast because it makes changes locally, not over a network. If a remote server fails, each copy of the repository on your team still has the full project history.
What the .git folder does
The .git folder holds your repository’s metadata and commit history. If you delete it, Git operations such as switching branches or pulling from remotes do not work.
What the working directory does
The working directory holds the files you are working on. When you switch branches or pull updates, Git changes the files in your working directory to match the checked-out branch.
Learn more about Git repositories.
How the example workflow works
Follow this workflow to make your first commit in GitKraken Desktop.
How to create a branch
Right-click main in the Commit Graph and choose Create branch here. Name it develop, a branch for ongoing development.
How to modify a file
Edit README.md to reflect your project. You can open this file directly from the Commit Graph.
How to stage and commit changes
After editing, select the //WIP node to view unstaged changes. To stage all of them, click the green button.
Then enter a commit message and click .
Learn more about staging and committing.
How to merge back to main
When develop is ahead of main, you can merge:
To merge, drag develop onto main in the Commit Graph and select Merge develop into main.
Learn more in Branching and Merging.
Getting started summary
This basic workflow sets the foundation for more advanced topics like pushing and pulling and GitFlow.
When you are ready to go further, continue with:
- GitKraken Desktop Interface Guide to learn how the Left Panel, Commit Graph, and Commit Panel fit together
- Manage Git Worktrees in GitKraken Desktop to work on multiple branches in parallel
- GitKraken Terminal Guide to use the embedded terminal
- Coding Agents in GitKraken Desktop to use the Agents view and coding agent workflows
Watch how to make a commit in GitKraken Desktop:
