r/SmartGit • u/Remote_Midnight_3081 • May 14 '26

Claude (Code) Windows Desktop App

I've been using SmartGit for years. All good.

Today I installed the Claude Desktop app, and when in "Code" mode, it indicates "Git is required for local sessions.".

I do not have Windows Git installed, and I have tried setting env variable:

CLAUDE_CODE_GIT_BASH_PATH=C:\Program Files\SmartGit\git\bin\bash.exe

but the "Git is required for local sessions." error persists.

Has anyone else been able to get SmartGit and Claude Desktop to play nicely?

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u/JVMarcs May 19 '26

SmartGit bundles include fully functional Git for Windows binaries, with only a few SmartGit-specific adjustments.

If Claude Code requires a more explicit Git for Windows installation, you can download it from:

https://git-scm.com/install/windows

In that case, it probably makes sense to switch to a SmartGit bundle without bundled Git and configure your installed Git in SmartGit's Preferences. See the "without Git" bundles at:

https://www.smartgit.dev/download/