Download SnailGit 1.8.1 (Mac) – Download Free

snails is a Git client that allows you to access repository management or browsing functionality from the comfort of a Finder window. The utility has a minimalist repository browser, but can also be used to create or clone Git repositories.

Easy-to-setup Git client with a minimalist UI

To help you get started, SnailGit comes with a setup guide where you must provide the name and email that will be used in commit messages, and provide access to the .ssh public key, Applications folder, and /usr/local/bin directory.

It’s worth mentioning that you need an SSH public key to connect to the Git server, and it’s traditionally placed in your user folder as a .ssh file. If you don’t have such a file, you can generate it from the command line using the ssh-keygen tool.

To take full advantage of SnailGit features, be sure to enable the supplemental Finder extension via System Preferences. The extension will place an icon in the Finder toolbar and grant access to frequently used Git related functions on the spot.

Browse your Git repositories and easily export revisions

Once you have finished configuring the SnailGit application, through the application’s File menu, you can choose to clone an existing repository, or simply create a new one. In the first case, you must provide the repository URL and output directory, while the latter just requires an indication to the appropriate folder.

SnailGit also comes with a repository browser where you can view all included files, choose revision type (HEAD, Branch, Tag or Commit), and quickly export revisions to a ZIP archive. For more time, you can also launch the browser via the Finder context menu.

Note that SnailGit comes with an icon overlay designed to help you check the status of your working copy via the Finder. However, this feature only works if the SnailGit extension is enabled and the repository is included in the working copy list via SnailGit preferences.

Git client seamlessly integrates with Finder to improve your workflow

At the end of the day, SnailGit is a Git desktop client that can be used to navigate and manage Git repositories through a graphical user interface.

SnailGit also ships with a companion Finder extension, which provides quick access to Git’s administrative functions without navigating to the application’s user interface. Last but not least, the icon overlay feature helps you monitor your Git working copy in real time.