Creating a Repository
First things first: You need a Git repository to work with Light Table.
If you already have a Git repository set up, you can skip this chapter.
Git is the industry standard for keeping track of file versions.
With Git, you choose a folder, and then any changes to the files in that folder are tracked.
This folder is called a repository.
Once a folder has been turned into a repository, you can work like normal on your files.
This includes your Glyphs files, but also any other files like Python scripts, notes, or sketches.
You can review the changes you have made, stage some or all of the changes to be included in the next version, and then create a version.
To create a repository, first open Glyphs.
In the Light Table palette, click the button Set up Repository…
(If you don’t see such a button and instead the text No File is shown, you first must save the document to a file with File → Save.)
A window will open, asking you to choose the repository folder.
It’s best to choose a folder that corresponds to the project you are working on.
Since Git tracks all files in a repository, it can be awkward when the folder contains multiple projects or just a subset of the file of a project.
Click Initialize Repository in “…” to create the repository.
If you have used Git on your Mac before, you are now done with the repository setup.
However, if this is your first time using Git, Light Table will also ask you for your name and email address.
These pieces of information are used to identify you as the author of the versions you create, which is helpful when collaborating with others on projects.
You can change your Git username and email address any time in the Light Table settings (File → Light Table → Settings… → Git).
That’s it!
You have now set up a repository and are ready to create versions of your project.
By the way, Git repositories are local to your Mac.
You can work offline, and no data is sent to any servers without you explicitly doing so.