In the past few days I started learning Git and GitHub.
As a result, I’ll also post about resources for Git so I can also refer to it whenever I have to instead of wondering where I keep my notes that are ever multiplying.
I’m starting to like Git, just as what they say when you slowly starting to learn the concept.
The black background of the command line window doesn’t bother me anymore.
Things are going smooth until I had an obstacle.
I cannot open Atom (a text editor) in the command line. I was doing fine with Notepad.
But I want to use Atom and make it work. I can’t ignore this challenge.
Open Atom in Git Bash (Windows 10)
If you are wondering how to install Git Bash in Windows, you can learn that from Jason Taylor’s course on Udemy, Command Line Essentials: Git Bash for Windows.
For now, I’ll jump right into how I spent much of my time figuring out why I cannot open Atom in the command line.
Let’s get started.
1. Download Atom for Windows. Install Atom.
2. Open the Windows Explorer.
3. Right click This PC, choose Properties.
4. Click Advanced system settings on left side.
5. In the Advanced tab, click Environment Variables at the bottom
6. Choose Path in the System Variables then click Edit.
7. Click New and add this %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\atom\app-1.12.6. Then click OK three times.
Note: I have one issue with this method. I may have to edit the Path whenever the atom version is updated. (The current version of Atom is app-1.12.6.)
Well, that’s another issue for another day.
You can use Notepad if you want to. I prefer Atom because I can navigate through the files and open two files side by side at the same time.
How about you did you experience the same issue? What text editor do you prefer?
It’s really helpful, earlier I struggled a lot in opening Atom from Bash but your blog is awesome. Many thanks.
I’ve only tried it on Windows 10 and can’t tell why it’s not working on Windows 8.
Thank you so much. It Worked.
Thank you so much, I was with this problem for 2 weeks! It solved my problem.
Thank you Carolyn! To fix the version issue, just change the new Path variable from this:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\atom\app-1.12.6
to this:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\atom\app*
Tested successfully in Windows 10 with both Git Bash and PowerShell.
Tried it with the * in windows 10 but it didn’t work for me. I had to specify the current atom version instead.
Thanks for the info pcworm; you confirmed my hunch.
👍 sure
this should work:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\atom\app-%*%
Thank you! worked for me.
Thank you! I can use the `atom` command in Git Bash now!
Thanks, it worked.
Thank you, it worked for me.
I’m confused by Step 7. You say `Add it at the end`. Do you mean create a new one and add it to the list, or add it to the end of an existing one?
Hi mrmicrowaveoven,
It means to add a new variable. I updated the post and thanks for asking. Your question has helped to avoid confusion. Thanks!