Try out the new version of GitHub Desktop

GitHub Desktop is an officially distributed application that lets you use GitHub's features for version control of source code and files through a graphical user interface, without needing to use commands.
We've covered this in a previous TIPS article—please take a look there as well.

"TIPS vol.32 Let's Try GitHub Desktop"

Let's look at the UI changes.
A major change is that the horizontal history tree that appeared at the top of the screen in previous versions has been removed.
In its place, the buttons have been made larger, and the screen has been streamlined.

以前は左側にアコーディオンで表示していたプルダウンメニュー形式に変更になりました。
プルダウンを開くと現在の画面の上にリストを開く形となります。常に表示はできないようです。

changesとhistoryのボタン移動

changesとhistoryのボタンが画面上部からリポジトリーリストの下に移動しました。
より構造的な配置になっています。

今までの「Sync」ボタンが「Fetch origin」や「Push origin」等に変更されました。こちらのほうがよりGit的な表記になりました。
今まで「Sync」一括りになっていたものが、状況に応じて表記が変わるようになりました。

One major change from the previous version is the behavior when performing "Fetch origin."
In our workflow, we log into a single account from multiple PCs.
While our usage style may be a factor, previously a "Fetch origin (Sync)" rarely failed unless something specific occurred. However, in the new version, if you're editing the same file that has been updated on the remote, you must always commit to your local repository first—otherwise, the contents of the remote repository won't be reflected locally via Fetch origin.
Additionally, after the changes are reflected, you must commit again with a message like "Merge branch 'repository name' of..." (the commit name/Summary can be changed) to incorporate others' changes into your own work.
Since we were accustomed to the previous workflow without these extra steps, this is an area that requires reconsidering our operational approach.

The new app is built on Electron.
There's a menu item that lets you open Chrome's familiar developer tools. (We haven't yet verified what they can be used for.)

Electron is an engine that allows you to build applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Since Chromium serves as the runtime, the developer tools look identical to the ones in Chrome. Similarly, Node.js also acts as a runtime.
(Since Electron isn't the main topic this time, we'll skip a detailed explanation.)

By default, GitHub doesn't allow you to push files larger than 100MB to a remote repository.
However, by using a feature called Git LFS, you can handle data over 100MB.

Let's try out how to use LFS on GitHub and see how it looks and behaves in the desktop app after setup.

Git LFS (Git Large File Storage) is, as the name suggests, a feature for handling large files.
To use it, you can't complete the setup using only the Desktop app—you'll need to enter commands in the terminal.
That said, since the Desktop app is built to work with commands, you can also proceed with operations to some extent through the GUI.

We'll proceed with the setup on a Mac.
macOS 10.12.6 Sierra

First, install git-lfs.
We'll use Homebrew for the installation.
(To use Homebrew, you'll need to install Xcode and the Command Line Tools.)
If you can't use Homebrew, install Homebrew first.

XcodeはApp storeからインストールが可能です。
少々ファイルサイズが重たく、インストールに時間がかかる場合があります。
App Storeで検索し、ダウンロード、インストールしましょう。

インストールしたXcodeを起動し、ライセンス使用許諾契約に同意します。
同意した後下記コマンドを入れます。

xcode-select --install

上記の準備ができたらhomebrewインストールを進めていきます。
下記コマンドを入れます。

/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

git lfsをインストールします。

brew install git-lfs

リポジトリディレクトリに移動し、lfsを反映させます。
cdコマンドで移動してもいいですが、アプリケーション上でもターミナルを開くことができます。
アプリケーションのリポジトリ選択で右クリックするといくつか選択肢が出てきます。
「Open in Terminal」を押すと、リポジトリディレクトリに移動した状態でターミナルを開くことができます。
リポジトリに移動したらコマンドを入れます。

git lfs install

反映したら下記コマンドを入れます。large_file.psdのファイル名は任意です。

git lfs track large_file.psd
git add .gitattributes

後は通常の手順でコミットとpushをします。
※large_file.psdのファイル名は任意
「LFSテスト」の部分はSummaryになります。任意のものを入れて大丈夫です。

git add track large_file.psd

git commit -m 'LFSテスト'
git push origin master

これで完了です。
Github Desktopにもコミット内容が反映されているはずです。

This time, we introduced the new GitHub Desktop and how to use Git LFS.
GitHub can be used not only for development and code-related tasks, so even designers and others who don't specialize in engineering or code can make full use of it once they understand its operation and structure.
Basically, you can operate it through the Desktop application and use the command line when needed—this will greatly expand your operational range.
Most individual functions aren't too difficult, so without being intimidated, let's continue exploring which features to use for our specific purposes.