Git Setup

Summary

This note explains the Fedora SWAY Atomic specific side of Git setup. The general Git workflow lives in the Git category, while this note focuses on where Git should live on Atomic and what is different about that environment.

Why this matters

• on Fedora Atomic, the installation layer matters as much as the commands themselves
• Git is usually better placed in Toolbox than directly on the host
• keeping the Atomic host clean is part of the workflow, not just a technical detail

Environment / Scope

Item	Value
Platform	Fedora SWAY Atomic
Main tools	git, toolbox, rpm-ostree, wl-copy
Best use for this note	Git setup specifically on Atomic
Recommended layer	Toolbox
Safe to test?	yes, in a lab

Key concepts

• Toolbox-first approach - best default for Git and related CLI tooling on Atomic
• Host install - possible, but more intrusive and usually not needed for routine work
• Atomic-specific convenience - tools like wl-copy are useful for local clipboard-based workflows

Steps / Workflow

Recommended Atomic approach

Install Git inside Toolbox:

toolbox create -c dev
toolbox enter dev
sudo dnf install -y git openssh-clients wl-clipboard

Host install only if you intentionally need it

sudo rpm-ostree install git wl-clipboard
systemctl reboot

Atomic-specific notes

• toolbox is usually the cleanest home for Git on this platform
• wl-copy is useful for copying the public SSH key to the clipboard
• installing Git directly on the host should be a deliberate exception, not the default habit

Verification

Check	Expected result
Toolbox workflow works	you can enter Toolbox and run Git there
Host remains clean	Git is not layered on the host unless intentionally chosen
Clipboard helper works	wl-copy is available when needed

Verification commands:

toolbox enter dev
git --version
wl-copy --help

Pitfalls / Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely cause	What to check
Git is missing	installed in the wrong layer or not installed at all	Toolbox vs host, git --version
Clipboard step fails	wl-copy is not installed	package install inside Toolbox or host
Host became cluttered	Git was layered onto the host unnecessarily	whether host install was actually needed

Common beginner trap

On Atomic, the default answer should usually be “put it in Toolbox first” unless you have a strong reason to change the host.

Key takeaways

• the general Git workflow is the same, but the right installation layer is different on Atomic
• Toolbox is usually the cleanest place for Git
• this note is Atomic-specific; the general setup flow lives in the main Git section

Official documentation

• Fedora Silverblue getting started
• Toolbx installation and getting started

Related

• Back to Fedora SWAY Atomic
• Toolbox
• Fedora SWAY Atomic
• General Git Setup
• Git on Fedora SWAY Atomic