Downloading R and setting up Git and GitHub

Please make sure to follow this guide and complete all steps before setting up your R project for this cohort. Even if you already have R/RStudio downloaded and Git/GitHub set up, please go through all the steps to ensure you have the latest version of all the software and that you are using a personal access token. Starting in Summer 2021, you will be required to use a personal access token instead of just email and password to connect to your GitHub account from your computer (i.e., to push your work to GitHub, etc.).

Register a GitHub account, Install or upgrade R and RStudio, and Install Git

Read and complete the instructions in Chapters 4–6: https://happygitwithr.com/github-acct.html (note: make sure to download the “Latest release” of R).

Verify your email address: https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/github/getting-started-with-github/verifying-your-email-address

Make sure to quit and relaunch RStudio before proceeding to the next step!

Cache credentials for HTTPS

We will be using HTTPS to connect to our GitHub repositories in this cohort in conjunction with a personal access token (this is what GitHub recommends). Please do this step and update your GitHub credential with a personal access token even if you have been using GitHub with a cached username and password up until now. To do this, read and complete Chapter 10.1-10.2: https://happygitwithr.com/credential-caching.html

Troubleshooting

This setup process occasionally leads to a lot of frustration for an unfortunate few/many. If you are having issues, just Google the issue you are having (i.e., describe the issue, what you are trying to do, and what software and/or computer you have). Additionally, the book linked above several times (https://happygitwithr.com/) has some helpful troubleshooting sections. If all else fails, reach out with your issue or contact the TechBar.