Installing Govlin Desktop
Govlin Desktop is the app where people work with Govlin. This guide takes you from the download to the Action Center.
Requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit. Govlin Desktop is only published for Windows today.
- Git: installed on the computer, with the repositories you work on cloned locally.
- A GitHub account.
- A membership in your organization in Govlin: an administrator adds you with a role or sends you an invitation (by GitHub login or email).
1. Download
Open the download page. It always offers the latest release published in the public releases repository, with its SHA-256.
Optionally, check the file before running it, in PowerShell:
Get-FileHash .\GitGov_<version>_x64-setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256
The Hash field must match the SHA-256 shown on the download page. The installer keeps its historical name, GitGov_<version>_x64-setup.exe.
2. Install
Run the installer. If Windows SmartScreen shows a prompt, choose More info and then Run anyway. Keep the default install folder so updates work.
3. Sign in with GitHub
- Open Govlin and choose to sign in with GitHub.
- The app shows a code. Confirm it on github.com.
- Govlin finds your membership and gives the app a credential bound to it. You never type an API key.
If you are an active member of one organization you land in the Action Center. If you are not a member yet, ask an administrator to add or invite you; meanwhile the app offers the screen to paste an access key an administrator issued for you.
4. Pick your repository
Open the repository you work on. Govlin detects it and its branch; no screen asks for them again.
Updates
Go to Settings → System → Updates. Choose the Stable or Beta channel, check for updates and install them. Updates are signed; the app refuses one whose signature does not match.
Working offline
If the server cannot be reached, the events the Desktop records wait on your computer and are sent when the connection returns. Settings → System shows whether anything is pending.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in finishes but no organization opens | You are not an active member | Ask an administrator to add or invite you. |
| SmartScreen warning | Early-access installer | More info → Run anyway, after checking the SHA-256. |
| Events stay pending | No connection to the server | Check your network or VPN; Settings → System shows the connection. |
| The repository is not detected | It is not a Git repository | Open the folder that contains the .git directory. |
Next steps
- Using Govlin: what each section does.
- Connect Govlin: for administrators.