Configure GitM on first launch

After installing, the first time you open the GitM task pane it runs a wizard to connect to a repository.

Prerequisites

• GitM installed and SolidWorks restarted.
• A GitHub account with access to the repository.
• Your account allowlisted in GitMCloud.

This requires GitMCloud — see GitMCloud docs.

Steps

1. Start SolidWorks.
2. Open the GitM PDM task pane (right-hand task pane strip).
3. The first-run wizard opens automatically because no settings exist yet.
4. Choose:
5. Connect to an existing team repository — paste the repo URL, choose a local folder, authenticate with GitHub. (Most designers.)
6. Start a new repository — choose a profile, name, visibility, and folder. (Admins — see Set up a team repository.)
7. The wizard runs the GitMCloud access check, then clones (or creates) and reports done.

Expected result

• The Files tab lists the repository's files.
• The top bar shows the repository name and branch.
• Settings now exist at %APPDATA%\GitM\settings.json, so the wizard won't auto-open again.

Authentication

The recommended method is Git Credential Manager (installed with Git for Windows), which does a browser sign-in. A Personal Access Token is also supported and is stored encrypted in Windows Credential Manager, never in plain text. Configure this on Settings → Authentication.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Wizard doesn't open	Settings already exist, or task pane didn't load.	Open Settings → Repository → Connect another repository; or verify the install.
Blocked with a GitMCloud message	Not allowlisted / GitMCloud unreachable.	Connect to GitMCloud.
GitHub auth fails	Wrong account or no repo access.	Confirm access on github.com; retry.

Known limitations

• The wizard's connect/create path cannot proceed if GitMCloud is unreachable — there is no bypass.