Docs / Local Development

Local Development

Eliminate environment drift. Sync production secrets, spin up instant preview URLs, and collaborate in real-time — without leaving your terminal or IDE.

Installation #

Get started in seconds. .git supports macOS, Linux, and Windows via native binaries or package managers.

Terminal 
# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install git-dev/git/git

# npm / yarn
npm install -g @git-dev/cli

# Verify installation
git local --version
✓ .git local v2.4.1
Tip: Run git local init in any project directory to auto-generate a .git/local.config file with framework detection and environment defaults.

Environment Sync #

Never waste time again configuring local databases, API keys, or feature flags. .git mirrors your target environment securely.

🔑 Secrets Injection

Automatically injects encrypted secrets into .env or your runtime. Supports AWS KMS, Vault, and native .git secrets.

🗄️ Database Proxies

Proxy production, staging, or sandbox databases locally with read-only or safe-mutation modes. Zero schema drift.

🌍 Feature Flags

Sync flags from LaunchDarkly, ConfigCat, or custom services. Override locally with git local flags:override.

Sync Environment 
git local sync --env=staging --secrets=include --db=proxy
✓ Fetched 14 secrets
✓ Proxying staging-db to localhost:5432
✓ Environment ready. Run git local up

Local Tunnels #

Share your local server instantly with a unique, secure URL. Perfect for QA testing, stakeholder demos, or webhook debugging.

1

Start Local Server

Run your app normally. .git hooks into ports automatically.

2

Generate Tunnel

Execute git local tunnel to get a *.git.dev URL.

3

Set Access Rules

Allow public, team-only, or IP-restricted access.

4

Debug Webhooks

Receive production payloads locally without exposing your machine.

Tunnel Output 
git local tunnel --port=3000 --access=team
✓ Tunnel active: https://checkout-v2-7x9.git.dev
✓ WebSocket connected. Logging enabled.
  → Press Ctrl+C to stop

Live Collaboration #

Invite teammates to view, debug, or pair-program on your local environment. No port forwarding, no SSH keys, just instant access.

👥 Session Sharing

Generate invite links with role-based access: view, debug, or full control.

🐛 Distributed Debugging

Share breakpoints, logs, and network traces in real-time across multiple IDEs.

📹 Screen & Terminal Cast

Optional low-latency casting for pair programming or code reviews.

Collaboration 
git local share --role=debug --expire=1h
✓ Session created: https://git.dev/s/8x2k9p
  → 2 participants joined
  → Shared terminal active on port 22

CLI Reference #

Common commands for managing local development environments.

Command Description Example
git local up Starts synced environment & local server git local up --env=dev
git local sync Pulls secrets, DB configs, and flags git local sync --secrets=include
git local tunnel Creates secure external URL git local tunnel --port=8080
git local share Opens live collaboration session git local share --role=view
git local logs Streams real-time app & proxy logs git local logs --follow

FAQ #

Is my production data at risk?
No. .git uses encrypted proxies and read-only snapshots by default. Write access requires explicit --mutation=safe flags with audit logging.

Does it work with Docker?
Yes. .git auto-detects docker-compose.yml and injects synced environments into containers seamlessly.

Can I use custom domains?
Pro and Enterprise plans support custom tunnel domains with automatic TLS certificates.