Understanding and Resolving the Issue

The error message `zsh: no such file or directory: usr/bin/git` typically occurs when macOS is unable to find Git in the expected location.

This issue often arises when Git has not been installed correctly, was deleted, or if there's a misconfiguration.

In this article, we’ll dive into the causes and provide clear solutions to get Git running smoothly again.

Cause:

The error occurs because the system is unable to locate the Git binary at `/usr/bin/git`. Possible reasons include:

1. 1.Git not installed – The default Git package may not be installed.
2. 2.Path misconfiguration – The system’s `$PATH` variable is pointing to the wrong Git binary location.
3. 3.Deleted or corrupted Git installation – The Git binary may have been accidentally deleted or corrupted.
4. 4.macOS update issues – Sometimes, after updating macOS, you may need to reinstall the Command Line Tools or Git.
5. 5.Xcode Command Line Tools Missing – macOS uses the Xcode Command Line Tools package, which includes Git by default. If this package is missing, you may encounter the error.

Now let's look at possible solutions for each case:

Solution:

1. Check if Git is installed:

To check if Git is installed on your system, run the following command:

git --version

If you get the no such file or directory error, then `Git` isn’t installed or isn’t accessible. To fix this, follow one of the steps below.

2. Install Git via Homebrew:

If you use Homebrew to manage packages, install Git by running:

brew install git

After installation, verify by running:

git --version

3. Install Git via Xcode Command Line Tools:

As a macOS user, you can install Git by installing `Xcode Command Line Tools`:

xcode-select --install

This command installs the basic developer tools, including Git. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
NB: Don't forget to check Git's availability after installation by running the command git --version.

4. Check and Update PATH Variable:

Ensure that Git’s path is correctly set in your system’s `$PATH `environment variable. Open the terminal and check the current path with:

echo $PATH

You should get either /usr/local/bin/git or /usr/bin/git listed. If you get nothing, then add the correct path to your .zshrc file.

First, you need to get the git executable path with:

which get

Which should list path as /usr/local/bin/git or /usr/bin/git, then add this path to your `.zshrc profile` with the command:

export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"

Save the file, and then apply the changes by running:

source ~/.zshrc

5. Reinstall Git if Necessary:

If the above solutions did’t work, it’s possible that your Git installation is corrupt. You can uninstall and reinstall Git using Homebrew:

brew uninstall git
brew install git

Verify the installation afterwards and you should be good to go!.

Some Simple Recommendations to help prevent the above issue from happening:

• ➢Keep Git Updated: Regularly update Git to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues.
• ➢Maintain System Tools: After macOS updates, ensure that Command Line Tools are up to date to prevent toolchain issues.
• ➢Manage Dependencies with Homebrew: Homebrew simplifies package management and keeps tools up to date.

Conclusion

The error `zsh: no such file or directory: usr/bin/git` is common when Git isn’t properly installed or the system path isn’t configured.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly resolve the issue and ensure your development environment is properly set up.

If after following the above steps, you still couldn't get Git to work propertly in your environment, please reach out and I'll be glad to assist you further.
Happy coding👨‍💻!