What is git on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Git, the version control tool, often run in the background by code editors.
git tracks changes in code projects. Besides commands you type, editors like Xcode, VS Code and Cursor, and Git apps, run git in the background to show file status and changes. Several short-lived git processes are normal.
- Category
- Developer tools
- Made by
- Git project (open source)
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as git
Why is git using so much CPU or memory?
- Editors checking status in large repositories
- Cloning, fetching or garbage-collecting big repositories
- Repositories with huge numbers of files
What to do
- 1Let clones and fetches finish
- 2Close very large projects in editors you aren't using
- 3Add build folders to .gitignore so git doesn't scan them
Safe to quit? With care.
Interrupting a git operation can leave a lock file behind; usually only status checks are affected.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library