Today code repository GitHub, Inc. announced the release of GitHub Desktop for free and enterprise customers alike. The app can be downloaded by interested parties right now from desktop.github.com and the page also contains an overview and images for the curious.

The proposed vision for GitHub Desktop is to replace previously separate Windows and OS X apps with a “unified experience across both platforms.” The GUI will also contain the entirety of a GitHub workflow in one app: from cloning repositories, creating branches, committing changes, visualizing history, and sharing code.

Developers will find a lot to love with GitHub Desktop

Starting projects in GitHub Desktop is designed to be simple and easy and all projects a user is working on are visible in the sidebar. To start a new project the repository drop down menu allows for the creation of a new repository or clone an existing one directly from GitHub.com.

A view of a commit on GitHub Desktop; via GitHub.

As branches are essential to proposing code changes on GitHub branch additions are always available in the upper top left corner in the repository view. This part of the UI allows for creating branches or switching branches.

As with all versions of GitHub collaboration is key. With the new app it is possible to “craft the perfect commit” by selecting files—or even with the granularity of specific lines—by viewing the changes in a diff before committing changes.

A view of the GitHub Desktop GUI, history graph, comments; via GitHub.

GitHub Desktop also provides a history visualization of previous changes and commits on a “comparison graph.” This allows users to select commits on the graph to navigate through the history of local branches.

The Desktop app also provides a way to browse commits on local and remote branches to see what changes still need to be merged after modifications. The app also provides a way to merge code to the master branch.

GitHub Desktop also works with the free version of GitHub as well as GitHub Enterprise seamlessly.

Not yet sold on GitHub Desktop? The release notes for the Windows and Mac (OS X) versions are already available. The app is available for Windows 7 or later and OS X 10.9 or later.

Ready to start collaborating, developers? Download GitHub Desktop now. Users who already have GitHub Windows or Mac will have it automatically updated.

Image credit: Github logo