var Git Command Guide

The git var command displays Git logical variables and configuration-dependent values, providing a way to access internal Git state and configuration information that may vary based on the current environment and configuration.

git var Syntax:

git var [-l | <variable>]

Options:

Option	Description
-l, --list	List all available variables

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
<variable>	Specific variable to display

Understanding Git Variables:

Variable Types:

Git Variable Categories:
├── GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT: Author identity for commits
├── GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT: Committer identity for commits
├── GIT_EDITOR: Default editor for Git operations
├── GIT_PAGER: Default pager for output
├── GIT_SSH/GIT_SSH_COMMAND: SSH command for Git operations
└── GIT_ASKPASS: Password prompt helper

Identity Variables:

Identity Resolution Chain:
├── Explicit config: git config user.name/user.email
├── Environment: GIT_AUTHOR_NAME/GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL
├── System: getpwuid()/gethostname()
├── Fallback: unknown/unknown@unknown
└── Resolution: git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT

Configuration Hierarchy:

Configuration Resolution Order:
├── GIT_* environment variables (highest priority)
├── Local repository config (.git/config)
├── Global user config (~/.gitconfig)
├── System config (/etc/gitconfig)
└── Built-in defaults (lowest priority)

Basic Var Operations:

Display Author Identity:

# Show author identity for commits
git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT

# Show committer identity
git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT

# Display both identities
echo "Author: $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)"
echo "Committer: $(git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT)"

Display Editor and Pager:

# Show default editor
git var GIT_EDITOR

# Show default pager
git var GIT_PAGER

# Check if editor is configured
if [ "$(git var GIT_EDITOR)" = "none" ]; then
    echo "No editor configured"
fi

SSH Configuration:

# Show SSH command
git var GIT_SSH

# Show SSH command with arguments
git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND

# Check SSH configuration
ssh_cmd=$(git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND)
if [ -n "$ssh_cmd" ]; then
    echo "Using custom SSH: $ssh_cmd"
else
    echo "Using default SSH"
fi

List All Variables:

# List all available variables
git var -l

# Filter for specific patterns
git var -l | grep -i author
git var -l | grep -i ssh

Advanced Var Scenarios:

Identity Management:

# Set identity for specific operations
export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="John Doe"
export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="john@example.com"
export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="Jane Smith"
export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="jane@example.com"

# Verify identity settings
git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT

# Use in commit operations
git commit -m "Commit with custom identity"

Environment-Specific Configuration:

# Configure different identities per environment
setup_identity() {
    local environment="$1"

    case "$environment" in
        "work")
            export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="John Doe"
            export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="john.doe@company.com"
            export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="John Doe"
            export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="john.doe@company.com"
            ;;
        "personal")
            export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="John Doe"
            export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="john.doe@gmail.com"
            export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="John Doe"
            export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="john.doe@gmail.com"
            ;;
        "open-source")
            export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="John Doe"
            export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="john.doe@opensource.org"
            export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="John Doe"
            export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="john.doe@opensource.org"
            ;;
    esac

    echo "Identity set for $environment environment"
    git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
}

# Usage
setup_identity "work"

SSH Configuration Management:

# Configure SSH for different remotes
configure_ssh() {
    local remote_name="$1"
    local ssh_key="$2"

    # Set SSH command for specific remote
    git config "remote.$remote_name.sshCommand" "ssh -i $ssh_key"

    # Verify SSH configuration
    echo "SSH command for $remote_name:"
    git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND

    # Test connection
    git ls-remote "$remote_name" >/dev/null 2>&1 && \
        echo "SSH connection successful" || \
        echo "SSH connection failed"
}

# Configure multiple SSH keys
setup_multiple_ssh() {
    # GitHub personal
    configure_ssh "origin" "~/.ssh/id_github_personal"

    # GitHub work
    configure_ssh "work" "~/.ssh/id_github_work"

    # GitLab
    configure_ssh "gitlab" "~/.ssh/id_gitlab"
}

# Usage
setup_multiple_ssh

Editor and Pager Configuration:

# Configure editor with fallbacks
configure_editor() {
    # Try preferred editors in order
    for editor in "code --wait" "vim" "nano" "emacs"; do
        if command -v "${editor%% *}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
            export GIT_EDITOR="$editor"
            break
        fi
    done

    echo "Git editor set to: $(git var GIT_EDITOR)"
}

# Configure pager with options
configure_pager() {
    # Use less with options if available
    if command -v less >/dev/null 2>&1; then
        export GIT_PAGER="less -FRSX"
    else
        export GIT_PAGER="cat"
    fi

    echo "Git pager set to: $(git var GIT_PAGER)"
}

# Setup development environment
setup_dev_environment() {
    configure_editor
    configure_pager

    # Configure askpass for password prompts
    if command -v ssh-askpass >/dev/null 2>&1; then
        export GIT_ASKPASS="ssh-askpass"
    fi

    echo "Development environment configured"
}

# Usage
setup_dev_environment

Configuration and Best Practices:

Git Configuration for Var:

# Configure user identity globally
git config --global user.name "John Doe"
git config --global user.email "john.doe@example.com"

# Configure identity per repository
git config user.name "John Doe (Work)"
git config user.email "john.doe@company.com"

# Configure SSH command globally
git config --global core.sshCommand "ssh -o BatchMode=yes"

# Configure editor and pager
git config --global core.editor "code --wait"
git config --global core.pager "less -FRSX"

Safe Var Operations:

# Check if identity is properly configured
check_identity() {
    local author_ident
    author_ident=$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT 2>/dev/null)

    if [[ "$author_ident" == *"unknown"* ]]; then
        echo "WARNING: Git identity not properly configured"
        echo "Run: git config --global user.name 'Your Name'"
        echo "Run: git config --global user.email 'your.email@example.com'"
        return 1
    else
        echo "Git identity: $author_ident"
        return 0
    fi
}

# Validate configuration before operations
validate_git_config() {
    echo "Validating Git configuration..."

    # Check identity
    check_identity || return 1

    # Check editor
    if [ "$(git var GIT_EDITOR)" = "none" ]; then
        echo "WARNING: No editor configured"
    fi

    # Check SSH
    if ! git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND >/dev/null 2>&1; then
        echo "INFO: Using default SSH command"
    fi

    echo "Git configuration validation complete"
}

# Usage
validate_git_config

Environment Variable Management:

# Manage environment variables for CI/CD
setup_ci_environment() {
    echo "Setting up CI/CD environment variables..."

    # Set CI-specific identity
    export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="CI Bot"
    export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="ci@company.com"
    export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="CI Bot"
    export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="ci@company.com"

    # Configure SSH for CI
    export GIT_SSH_COMMAND="ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null"

    # Disable interactive prompts
    export GIT_ASKPASS="echo"

    # Verify configuration
    echo "CI Author: $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)"
    echo "CI Committer: $(git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT)"
}

# Setup different environments
setup_environment() {
    local env_type="$1"

    case "$env_type" in
        "ci")
            setup_ci_environment
            ;;
        "development")
            # Development environment
            export GIT_EDITOR="code --wait"
            export GIT_PAGER="less -FRSX"
            ;;
        "server")
            # Server environment (non-interactive)
            export GIT_EDITOR="cat"
            export GIT_ASKPASS="echo"
            ;;
    esac

    echo "Environment '$env_type' configured"
}

# Usage
setup_environment "ci"

Integration with Development Workflows:

Automated Identity Management:

#!/bin/bash
# Automated identity management for teams

team_identity_management() {
    echo "=== Team Identity Management ==="

    # Configure team identities
    setup_team_identities() {
        local team_members="alice bob charlie dave"

        for member in $team_members; do
            echo "Configuring identity for $member..."

            # Create member-specific config
            cat > ".git-team-$member" << EOF
GIT_AUTHOR_NAME=$member Doe
GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL=$member@company.com
GIT_COMMITTER_NAME=$member Doe
GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL=$member@company.com
EOF

            echo "Identity file created: .git-team-$member"
        done
    }

    # Switch team member identity
    switch_team_member() {
        local member="$1"

        if [ -f ".git-team-$member" ]; then
            # Load member identity
            source ".git-team-$member"

            echo "Switched to $member identity:"
            git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
        else
            echo "Team member '$member' not configured"
            return 1
        fi
    }

    # Pair programming setup
    setup_pair_programming() {
        local driver="$1"
        local navigator="$2"

        echo "Setting up pair programming: $driver + $navigator"

        # Combine identities
        export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="$driver & $navigator"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="pair@company.com"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="$driver & $navigator"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="pair@company.com"

        echo "Pair identity configured:"
        git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
    }

    # Interactive team management
    echo "Team Identity Management Options:"
    echo "1. Setup team identities"
    echo "2. Switch team member"
    echo "3. Setup pair programming"

    read -p "Select option (1-3): " option

    case "$option" in
        1) setup_team_identities ;;
        2)
            read -p "Team member: " member
            switch_team_member "$member"
            ;;
        3)
            read -p "Driver: " driver
            read -p "Navigator: " navigator
            setup_pair_programming "$driver" "$navigator"
            ;;
    esac
}

team_identity_management

CI/CD Pipeline Integration:

# Git var in CI/CD pipelines
ci_var_integration() {
    echo "=== CI/CD Var Integration ==="

    # Setup CI identity
    setup_ci_identity() {
        echo "Setting up CI identity..."

        # Use CI environment variables or defaults
        export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="${CI_COMMIT_AUTHOR_NAME:-CI Bot}"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="${CI_COMMIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL:-ci@company.com}"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="${CI_COMMITTER_NAME:-CI Bot}"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="${CI_COMMITTER_EMAIL:-ci@company.com}"

        echo "CI identity configured:"
        git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
    }

    # Validate CI environment
    validate_ci_environment() {
        echo "Validating CI environment..."

        # Check required variables
        local required_vars=("GIT_AUTHOR_NAME" "GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL")

        for var in "${required_vars[@]}"; do
            if [ -z "${!var}" ]; then
                echo "ERROR: $var not set"
                return 1
            fi
        done

        # Verify identity
        author_ident=$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)
        if [[ "$author_ident" == *"unknown"* ]]; then
            echo "ERROR: Invalid Git identity"
            return 1
        fi

        echo "CI environment validated"
    }

    # Automated commit creation
    create_ci_commit() {
        local commit_message="$1"

        echo "Creating CI commit..."

        # Setup identity
        setup_ci_identity

        # Validate environment
        validate_ci_environment || return 1

        # Make changes
        echo "$(date)" > ci-timestamp.txt
        git add ci-timestamp.txt

        # Create commit
        git commit -m "$commit_message

CI Build: ${CI_BUILD_ID:-unknown}
Pipeline: ${CI_PIPELINE_ID:-unknown}
Job: ${CI_JOB_ID:-unknown}"

        echo "CI commit created successfully"
    }

    # Run CI/CD steps
    setup_ci_identity
    validate_ci_environment
    create_ci_commit "Automated CI commit"
}

# Usage in CI
ci_var_integration

Repository Analysis Tools:

# Repository analysis using git var
repository_analysis() {
    echo "=== Repository Analysis with Var ==="

    # Analyze contributor identities
    analyze_contributors() {
        echo "Analyzing repository contributors..."

        # Get all commits with author info
        git log --pretty=format:"%H %ae %an" | head -20 | while read -r commit email name; do
            echo "Commit: $commit"
            echo "Author: $name <$email>"

            # Check if identity matches current config
            current_ident=$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)
            if [[ "$current_ident" == *"$email"* ]]; then
                echo "  ✓ Matches current identity"
            else
                echo "  ⚠ Different identity"
            fi
            echo
        done
    }

    # Check identity consistency
    check_identity_consistency() {
        echo "Checking identity consistency..."

        # Get unique authors
        git log --pretty=format:"%ae|%an" | sort | uniq | while IFS='|' read -r email name; do
            echo "Author: $name <$email>"

            # Count commits by this author
            commit_count=$(git log --author="$email" --oneline | wc -l)
            echo "  Commits: $commit_count"

            # Check identity format
            if [[ "$name" == *"unknown"* ]] || [[ "$email" == *"unknown"* ]]; then
                echo "  ⚠ Invalid identity detected"
            else
                echo "  ✓ Valid identity"
            fi
            echo
        done
    }

    # Generate identity report
    generate_identity_report() {
        echo "Generating identity report..."

        cat > identity-report.md << EOF
# Repository Identity Report

Generated: $(date)
Repository: $(basename "$(pwd)")

## Current Identity Configuration
Author: $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)
Committer: $(git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT)

## Identity Statistics
Total Commits: $(git rev-list --count HEAD)
Unique Authors: $(git log --pretty=format:"%ae" | sort | uniq | wc -l)

## Author Details
$(git log --pretty=format:"%ae|%an" | sort | uniq -c | sort -nr | while IFS='|' read -r count email name; do
    echo "- $name <$email>: $count commits"
done)

## Recommendations
$(if [ "$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)" = "$(git var GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT)" ]; then
    echo "- ✓ Author and committer identities match"
else
    echo "- ⚠ Author and committer identities differ"
fi)

$(unknown_count=$(git log --pretty=format:"%ae %an" | grep -c "unknown"); if [ "$unknown_count" -gt 0 ]; then
    echo "- ⚠ $unknown_count commits have unknown author identity"
fi)
EOF

        echo "Identity report generated: identity-report.md"
    }

    # Interactive analysis
    echo "Repository Analysis Options:"
    echo "1. Analyze contributors"
    echo "2. Check identity consistency"
    echo "3. Generate identity report"

    read -p "Select option (1-3): " option

    case "$option" in
        1) analyze_contributors ;;
        2) check_identity_consistency ;;
        3) generate_identity_report ;;
    esac
}

repository_analysis

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

Identity Configuration Issues:

# Diagnose identity problems
diagnose_identity_issues() {
    echo "Diagnosing identity configuration issues..."

    # Check current identity
    author_ident=$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT 2>&1)
    if [[ "$author_ident" == *"fatal"* ]]; then
        echo "ERROR: Git repository not initialized"
        return 1
    fi

    echo "Current author identity: $author_ident"

    # Check for unknown values
    if [[ "$author_ident" == *"unknown"* ]]; then
        echo "WARNING: Identity contains unknown values"

        # Suggest fixes
        echo "To fix, run:"
        echo "  git config --global user.name 'Your Name'"
        echo "  git config --global user.email 'your.email@example.com'"
    fi

    # Check environment variables
    echo "Environment variables:"
    env | grep -E "^GIT_" | while read -r var; do
        echo "  $var"
    done

    # Check configuration
    echo "Git configuration:"
    git config --list | grep -E "^user\." | while read -r config; do
        echo "  $config"
    done
}

# Fix identity issues
fix_identity_issues() {
    echo "Attempting to fix identity issues..."

    # Interactive identity setup
    read -p "Enter your name: " user_name
    read -p "Enter your email: " user_email

    # Set global configuration
    git config --global user.name "$user_name"
    git config --global user.email "$user_email"

    # Verify fix
    echo "New identity: $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)"

    # Clear environment variables if they conflict
    unset GIT_AUTHOR_NAME GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL
    unset GIT_COMMITTER_NAME GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL
}

# Usage
diagnose_identity_issues
fix_identity_issues

Environment Variable Conflicts:

# Resolve environment variable conflicts
resolve_env_conflicts() {
    echo "Resolving environment variable conflicts..."

    # Show current environment
    echo "Current Git environment variables:"
    env | grep -E "^GIT_" | sort

    # Show configuration
    echo -e "\nCurrent Git configuration:"
    git config --list | grep -E "^user\." | sort

    # Identify conflicts
    echo -e "\nPotential conflicts:"

    # Check for conflicts between env and config
    config_name=$(git config user.name 2>/dev/null || echo "")
    config_email=$(git config user.email 2>/dev/null || echo "")

    env_name="${GIT_AUTHOR_NAME:-${GIT_COMMITTER_NAME}}"
    env_email="${GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL:-${GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL}}"

    if [ -n "$config_name" ] && [ -n "$env_name" ] && [ "$config_name" != "$env_name" ]; then
        echo "⚠ Name conflict: config='$config_name' env='$env_name'"
    fi

    if [ -n "$config_email" ] && [ -n "$env_email" ] && [ "$config_email" != "$env_email" ]; then
        echo "⚠ Email conflict: config='$config_email' env='$env_email'"
    fi

    # Suggest resolution
    echo -e "\nResolution options:"
    echo "1. Use environment variables (temporary)"
    echo "2. Use Git configuration (persistent)"
    echo "3. Clear environment variables"

    read -p "Select resolution (1-3): " choice

    case "$choice" in
        1) echo "Using environment variables (current behavior)" ;;
        2)
            unset GIT_AUTHOR_NAME GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL
            unset GIT_COMMITTER_NAME GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL
            echo "Environment variables cleared, using Git config"
            ;;
        3)
            unset GIT_AUTHOR_NAME GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL
            unset GIT_COMMITTER_NAME GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL
            echo "Environment variables cleared"
            ;;
    esac

    echo "Final identity: $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)"
}

# Usage
resolve_env_conflicts

SSH and Editor Configuration Issues:

# Troubleshoot SSH configuration
troubleshoot_ssh_config() {
    echo "Troubleshooting SSH configuration..."

    # Check SSH command
    ssh_cmd=$(git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND 2>/dev/null || echo "default")
    echo "SSH command: $ssh_cmd"

    # Test SSH connection
    echo "Testing SSH connection..."
    if git ls-remote origin >/dev/null 2>&1; then
        echo "✓ SSH connection successful"
    else
        echo "✗ SSH connection failed"

        # Suggest fixes
        echo "Possible fixes:"
        echo "1. Check SSH key: ssh -T git@github.com"
        echo "2. Configure SSH key: git config core.sshCommand 'ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa'"
        echo "3. Check remote URL: git remote -v"
    fi
}

# Troubleshoot editor configuration
troubleshoot_editor_config() {
    echo "Troubleshooting editor configuration..."

    # Check editor
    editor=$(git var GIT_EDITOR)
    echo "Configured editor: $editor"

    # Test editor
    if [ "$editor" != "none" ]; then
        if command -v "${editor%% *}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
            echo "✓ Editor command available"
        else
            echo "✗ Editor command not found"

            # Suggest alternatives
            echo "Available editors:"
            for alt_editor in vim nano emacs code; do
                if command -v "$alt_editor" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
                    echo "  - $alt_editor"
                fi
            done

            echo "To set editor: git config --global core.editor 'vim'"
        fi
    else
        echo "No editor configured"
        echo "To set editor: git config --global core.editor 'vim'"
    fi
}

# Usage
troubleshoot_ssh_config
troubleshoot_editor_config

Caution

git var displays configuration-dependent values. Environment variables override Git configuration. Always verify identity before committing.

Real-World Usage Examples:

Enterprise Identity Management:

#!/bin/bash
# Enterprise identity management system

enterprise_identity_system() {
    echo "=== Enterprise Identity Management ==="

    # Setup corporate identity
    setup_corporate_identity() {
        local employee_id="$1"
        local department="$2"

        echo "Setting up corporate identity for employee $employee_id..."

        # Query employee database (simplified)
        employee_name="John Doe"
        employee_email="john.doe@company.com"

        # Set corporate identity
        export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="$employee_name"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="$employee_email"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="$employee_name"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="$employee_email"

        # Set additional metadata
        export GIT_AUTHOR_DEPARTMENT="$department"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMPLOYEE_ID="$employee_id"

        echo "Corporate identity configured:"
        git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
        echo "Department: $department"
        echo "Employee ID: $employee_id"
    }

    # Multi-project identity handling
    setup_project_identity() {
        local project="$1"
        local role="$2"

        echo "Setting up project-specific identity..."

        # Base corporate identity
        base_name=$(git config user.name)
        base_email=$(git config user.email)

        # Modify for project/role
        export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="$base_name ($project - $role)"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="$base_email"

        echo "Project identity configured:"
        git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
    }

    # Compliance and audit setup
    setup_compliance_identity() {
        echo "Setting up compliance identity tracking..."

        # Enable detailed identity logging
        export GIT_IDENTITY_LOG="/var/log/git-identity.log"

        # Log all identity operations
        log_identity() {
            echo "$(date): $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT) - $*" >> "$GIT_IDENTITY_LOG"
        }

        # Enhanced identity with compliance info
        export GIT_AUTHOR_COMPLIANCE_APPROVED="true"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_AUDIT_TIMESTAMP="$(date +%s)"

        echo "Compliance identity configured"
        log_identity "Identity configured for compliance"
    }

    # Automated identity rotation
    setup_identity_rotation() {
        echo "Setting up automated identity rotation..."

        # Create rotation script
        cat > rotate-identity.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
# Rotate Git identity based on time/project

CURRENT_HOUR=$(date +%H)

if [ "$CURRENT_HOUR" -ge 9 ] && [ "$CURRENT_HOUR" -lt 17 ]; then
    # Work hours - use work identity
    export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="John Doe (Work)"
    export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="john.doe@company.com"
else
    # Personal hours - use personal identity
    export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="John Doe"
    export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="john.doe@gmail.com"
fi

echo "Identity rotated: $(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)"
EOF

        chmod +x rotate-identity.sh

        # Setup cron for rotation
        (crontab -l ; echo "*/30 * * * * $(pwd)/rotate-identity.sh") | crontab -

        echo "Automated identity rotation configured"
    }

    # Interactive enterprise setup
    echo "Enterprise Identity Management Options:"
    echo "1. Setup corporate identity"
    echo "2. Setup project identity"
    echo "3. Setup compliance identity"
    echo "4. Setup identity rotation"

    read -p "Select option (1-4): " option

    case "$option" in
        1)
            read -p "Employee ID: " emp_id
            read -p "Department: " dept
            setup_corporate_identity "$emp_id" "$dept"
            ;;
        2)
            read -p "Project: " project
            read -p "Role: " role
            setup_project_identity "$project" "$role"
            ;;
        3) setup_compliance_identity ;;
        4) setup_identity_rotation ;;
    esac
}

enterprise_identity_system

Development Environment Setup:

# Development environment identity setup
dev_environment_setup() {
    echo "=== Development Environment Identity Setup ==="

    # Setup development identity
    setup_dev_identity() {
        echo "Setting up development identity..."

        # Use hostname in identity for development
        hostname=$(hostname)
        export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="Dev User"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="dev@$hostname.local"

        # Configure development tools
        export GIT_EDITOR="${GIT_EDITOR:-vim}"
        export GIT_PAGER="${GIT_PAGER:-less}"

        # Setup SSH for development
        if [ -f ~/.ssh/id_dev ]; then
            export GIT_SSH_COMMAND="ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_dev"
        fi

        echo "Development identity configured:"
        git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
        echo "Editor: $(git var GIT_EDITOR)"
        echo "SSH: $(git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND 2>/dev/null || echo 'default')"
    }

    # Setup multiple development environments
    setup_multi_env() {
        echo "Setting up multiple development environments..."

        environments=("local" "staging" "production")

        for env in "${environments[@]}"; do
            echo "Configuring $env environment..."

            # Create environment-specific config
            cat > ".git-env-$env" << EOF
# $env environment configuration
export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="Dev User ($env)"
export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="dev@$env.company.com"
export GIT_EDITOR="code --wait"
export GIT_PAGER="less -FRSX"
EOF

            if [ "$env" = "production" ]; then
                echo 'export GIT_SSH_COMMAND="ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=yes"' >> ".git-env-$env"
            fi

            echo "Environment config created: .git-env-$env"
        done
    }

    # Switch development environment
    switch_dev_env() {
        local env="$1"

        if [ -f ".git-env-$env" ]; then
            source ".git-env-$env"
            echo "Switched to $env environment:"
            git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
        else
            echo "Environment '$env' not configured"
            return 1
        fi
    }

    # Development workflow setup
    setup_dev_workflow() {
        echo "Setting up development workflow..."

        # Configure git for development
        git config core.editor "${GIT_EDITOR:-code --wait}"
        git config core.pager "${GIT_PAGER:-less -FRSX}"
        git config core.whitespace "trailing-space,space-before-tab"
        git config core.autocrlf false

        # Setup development hooks
        cat > .git/hooks/pre-commit << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
# Development pre-commit checks

echo "Running development checks..."

# Check identity
author_ident=$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)
if [[ "$author_ident" == *"unknown"* ]]; then
    echo "ERROR: Git identity not configured"
    exit 1
fi

echo "✓ Identity check passed: $author_ident"
EOF

        chmod +x .git/hooks/pre-commit

        echo "Development workflow configured"
    }

    # Interactive setup
    echo "Development Environment Setup Options:"
    echo "1. Setup development identity"
    echo "2. Setup multiple environments"
    echo "3. Switch environment"
    echo "4. Setup development workflow"

    read -p "Select option (1-4): " option

    case "$option" in
        1) setup_dev_identity ;;
        2) setup_multi_env ;;
        3)
            read -p "Environment: " env
            switch_dev_env "$env"
            ;;
        4) setup_dev_workflow ;;
    esac
}

dev_environment_setup

CI/CD Identity Management:

# CI/CD identity management with git var
ci_identity_management() {
    echo "=== CI/CD Identity Management ==="

    # Setup CI identity with metadata
    setup_ci_identity() {
        echo "Setting up CI identity with metadata..."

        # Base CI identity
        export GIT_AUTHOR_NAME="${CI_COMMIT_AUTHOR_NAME:-CI Bot}"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL="${CI_COMMIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL:-ci@company.com}"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_NAME="${GIT_COMMITTER_NAME:-CI Bot}"
        export GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL="${GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL:-ci@company.com}"

        # Add CI metadata
        export GIT_AUTHOR_CI_SYSTEM="${CI_SYSTEM:-unknown}"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_CI_BUILD_ID="${CI_BUILD_ID:-unknown}"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_CI_JOB_ID="${CI_JOB_ID:-unknown}"
        export GIT_AUTHOR_CI_PIPELINE_ID="${CI_PIPELINE_ID:-unknown}"

        echo "CI identity configured:"
        git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT
        echo "CI System: $GIT_AUTHOR_CI_SYSTEM"
        echo "Build ID: $GIT_AUTHOR_CI_BUILD_ID"
    }

    # Validate CI identity
    validate_ci_identity() {
        echo "Validating CI identity..."

        # Check required identity components
        author_ident=$(git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT)

        if [[ "$author_ident" == *"unknown"* ]]; then
            echo "ERROR: CI identity contains unknown values"
            return 1
        fi

        # Verify CI metadata
        if [ -z "$GIT_AUTHOR_CI_BUILD_ID" ] || [ "$GIT_AUTHOR_CI_BUILD_ID" = "unknown" ]; then
            echo "WARNING: CI build ID not set"
        fi

        echo "✓ CI identity validated: $author_ident"
    }

    # Create CI commit with metadata
    create_ci_commit() {
        local commit_message="$1"

        echo "Creating CI commit with metadata..."

        # Setup and validate identity
        setup_ci_identity
        validate_ci_identity || return 1

        # Create commit with CI metadata
        git commit -m "$commit_message

CI Metadata:
- System: $GIT_AUTHOR_CI_SYSTEM
- Build: $GIT_AUTHOR_CI_BUILD_ID
- Job: $GIT_AUTHOR_CI_JOB_ID
- Pipeline: $GIT_AUTHOR_CI_PIPELINE_ID
- Timestamp: $(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)" 2>/dev/null || {
            echo "No changes to commit"
            return 0
        }

        echo "CI commit created successfully"
    }

    # Setup CI environment variables
    setup_ci_environment() {
        echo "Setting up CI environment variables..."

        # Common CI systems
        if [ -n "$GITHUB_ACTIONS" ]; then
            export CI_SYSTEM="GitHub Actions"
            export CI_BUILD_ID="$GITHUB_RUN_ID"
            export CI_JOB_ID="$GITHUB_JOB"
            export CI_PIPELINE_ID="$GITHUB_WORKFLOW"
        elif [ -n "$GITLAB_CI" ]; then
            export CI_SYSTEM="GitLab CI"
            export CI_BUILD_ID="$CI_JOB_ID"
            export CI_JOB_ID="$CI_JOB_ID"
            export CI_PIPELINE_ID="$CI_PIPELINE_ID"
        elif [ -n "$JENKINS_HOME" ]; then
            export CI_SYSTEM="Jenkins"
            export CI_BUILD_ID="$BUILD_NUMBER"
            export CI_JOB_ID="$JOB_NAME"
            export CI_PIPELINE_ID="$JOB_NAME"
        else
            export CI_SYSTEM="Unknown CI"
            export CI_BUILD_ID="${CI_BUILD_ID:-unknown}"
            export CI_JOB_ID="${CI_JOB_ID:-unknown}"
            export CI_PIPELINE_ID="${CI_PIPELINE_ID:-unknown}"
        fi

        echo "CI environment configured for: $CI_SYSTEM"
    }

    # Run CI/CD identity setup
    setup_ci_environment
    setup_ci_identity
    validate_ci_identity
    create_ci_commit "Automated CI commit"
}

# Usage in CI
ci_identity_management

Tip

Use git var to access Git logical variables and verify configuration. Environment variables override Git config. Useful for identity verification and environment setup. ::>

What’s the difference between git var and git config?

git var shows resolved values (including environment overrides); git config shows raw configuration values.

How do I check my Git identity?

git var GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT shows the resolved author identity used for commits.

Can git var show all available variables?

Yes, git var -l lists all available Git logical variables.

How do I set Git identity for a single command?

Use environment variables: GIT_AUTHOR_NAME=“Name” GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL=“email” git commit

What’s the difference between GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT and GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT?

GIT_AUTHOR_IDENT is the original author; GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT is who created the commit object (usually the same).

How do I configure SSH for Git?

Set GIT_SSH_COMMAND=“ssh -i ~/.ssh/key” or configure in git config core.sshCommand.

Can git var be used in scripts?

Yes, git var output can be captured and used in scripts for configuration validation.

How do I check if Git editor is configured?

git var GIT_EDITOR returns “none” if no editor is configured.

What’s the priority order for Git configuration?

Environment variables > local config > global config > system config > defaults.

Can git var show SSH configuration?

Yes, git var GIT_SSH_COMMAND shows the configured SSH command.

How do I verify Git configuration is working?

Run git var -l and check that all variables show expected values.

Applications of the git var command

1. Identity Verification: Check and validate Git author/committer identities
2. Configuration Debugging: Troubleshoot Git configuration and environment issues
3. Environment Setup: Configure development and CI/CD environments
4. Security Auditing: Verify Git configuration for compliance and security
5. Script Integration: Access Git variables in automation scripts
6. Team Management: Manage multiple identities for different contexts
7. CI/CD Integration: Configure automated commit identities and metadata
8. Repository Analysis: Analyze contributor identities and configuration patterns