Getting Started

This guide will help you install Branqo and start managing Git repositories in minutes.

Installation

Windows

Download the .exe installer from the Download page or use a package manager:

# winget
winget install branqo

# Chocolatey
choco install branqo

macOS

Download the .dmg from the Download page or use Homebrew:

brew install --cask branqo

Linux

Download the .deb, .rpm, or .AppImage from the Download page, or use your package manager:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install branqo

# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install branqo

# Arch (AUR)
yay -S branqo

# Snap
sudo snap install branqo

First Launch

1. Open Branqo after installation
2. You'll see the Repository Manager — your home screen for managing repos

Clone a Repository

1. Click Clone Repository in the toolbar
2. Enter the repository URL (HTTPS or SSH)
3. Choose a local directory
4. Click Clone

Branqo supports cloning from GitHub, GitLab, Gitea, and any plain Git URL.

Make Your First Commit

1. Open a repository from the Repository Manager
2. Make changes to files in your editor
3. Branqo automatically detects changes and shows them in the Changes panel
4. Stage files by clicking the + icon, or stage individual hunks/lines in the diff view
5. Write a commit message in the text box
6. Click Commit

AI Commit Messages (Premium)

If you have a Premium subscription, click the AI button next to the commit message box to generate a meaningful commit message from your staged changes.

Push to Remote

After committing, click Push in the toolbar to push your changes to the remote repository. Branqo shows ahead/behind indicators so you always know your sync status.

Connect a Git Provider

To access provider-specific features (pull requests, CI status):

1. Go to Settings → Providers
2. Click Add Provider
3. Choose GitHub, GitLab, or Gitea
4. Authenticate via OAuth or personal access token
5. Your remote repositories will appear in the Repository Manager

Next Steps

• Learn about branching
• Set up SSH keys
• Explore AI features
• Install an IDE extension