# Configure Git and external tools

Choose Git, set your commit identity, and configure diff and merge tools.

## Set your commit identity

Open Settings with Command+Comma. In General, enter the name and email for new commits. Valid edits are saved to global Git configuration when you finish editing a field. These values also affect Git outside GitLode.

For a different identity in one repository, open Repository Settings from the Repository menu or the repository's shortcut menu. Turn on Use global identity to remove its identity overrides. Other Git settings, including signing keys, stay unchanged.

If an identity edit is invalid, or Git configuration changed elsewhere, the previously saved value remains in place.

In Basic mode, Git uses your global Git configuration, including this name and email, only if GitLode can read your home folder. See [Folder access](https://gitlode.com/docs/folder-access).

## Choose Git

Open Settings > Tools to inspect the Git executable.

In Basic mode, GitLode uses Apple's Git from the Command Line Tools or Xcode. You cannot choose another Git. If neither is installed, GitLode tells you to run `xcode-select --install` in Terminal, or to install Full Git Integration.

With Full Git Integration and automatic selection, GitLode uses the first `git` in your shell's PATH. To choose another Git, select Use a specific executable and enter its path. GitLode checks the executable before saving it. If the selected Git prints no version at launch, use Open Settings in the alert to correct the path. Continue Anyway is also available.

With Full Git Integration, repository changes, authentication, hooks, and signing run through your selected Git. See [Full Git Integration](https://gitlode.com/docs/full-git-integration).

## Choose diff and merge tools

To use diff and merge tools, you need Full Git Integration. In Basic mode, Git cannot open them.

Set diff and merge tools in Tools. These choices apply to every repository. Select a tool from each pop-up menu. For Custom Git tool, enter its Git tool name, not an executable path. Define that tool in your global Git configuration before using it. Repository-specific tool choices, commands, and paths are ignored.

Double-click a file to open a diff. Use Resolve in Merge Tool for a conflict. See [Resolve conflicts](https://gitlode.com/docs/resolve-conflicts) and [Settings](https://gitlode.com/docs/settings).