Skip to content

Sign in to GitM

The first time you use GitM, you connect it to your team's GitHub repository through the first-run wizard. After that, GitM remembers the connection.

Prerequisites

  • GitM is installed and the GitM PDM task pane appears in SolidWorks.
  • A GitHub account with access to the team repository.
  • Your account is on your team's GitMCloud allowlist.

This requires GitMCloud — see GitMCloud docs. The wizard checks GitMCloud access and fails closed: if the service is unreachable or your account isn't allowed, you can't connect.

  • The repository URL from your CAD admin (looks like https://github.com/your-org/your-repo.git).

Steps

  1. Open the GitM PDM task pane in SolidWorks. On first use with no settings, the wizard opens by itself. (If it doesn't, open Settings (⚙️) → Repository → Connect another repository….)
  2. Choose Connect to an existing team repository.
  3. Paste the repository URL.
  4. Choose a local folder where the working files will live (for example C:\Users\you\TeamRepo). Pick a path with enough free disk space.
  5. Authenticate with GitHub when prompted. The recommended method is Git Credential Manager, which opens a browser sign-in. (You can also use a Personal Access Token — see Settings reference.)
  6. The wizard verifies GitMCloud access, then clones the repository.

Expected result

  • The wizard reports a file count and finishes.
  • The Files tab lists the repository's SolidWorks files. Many will show ·placeholder· — that's normal; their bytes download on demand.
  • The top bar shows the repository name and current branch.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Cause Fix
"GitMCloud: … Contact your administrator." Account not allowlisted, or GitMCloud unreachable. Ask your admin to add you; see Connect to GitMCloud.
"Could not verify GitMCloud access" GitMCloud endpoint unreachable (network/DNS). Check your connection; retry; escalate to IT.
GitHub authentication loops or fails Wrong account or missing repo access. Confirm the account can see the repo on github.com; re-run auth.
Folder you chose isn't empty GitM warns before cloning into a non-empty folder. Pick an empty folder, or follow the on-screen choice.

Known limitations

  • GitMCloud is a hard dependency for this step. There is no offline or GitMCloud-bypass path to connect a repository.
  • Only one repository is active at a time. You can connect several and switch between them in Settings — see Switch or connect repositories — but not view two at once.