As you see the title this question got my attention when a student where asking about a one click solution for git Like GitHub Desktop : ) during the Global Open Time ( GOT) week01 FA2026, but the GOAT (Greatest of all time) in the session chased the student’s question away with live demo of GitLab setup and git push with in few minutes. but I searched the question on google and find some evidence that it is possible to manage a GitLab repo with a GitHub desktop app ( the evidence linked in the reference bellow) ,
I tested the thought immediately , because I’m a GitHub desktop user for my GitHub repositories , It was totally new learning for me that it works with GitLab repositories as well and I also understood that GitHub desktop works with only HTTPS not SSH
Go through this documentation to see how to setup GitHub desktop app for a Fabacademy GitLab account
references
I’ve asked this question to Julian at recitation of git, from his words both are fine but HTTPS required passwords in every pushes which is annoying daily uses, he suggest SSH over HTTPS because only need a onetime setup , Neil also repeated this during the week01 Review,
From my findings the HTTPS setup are less complex to setup and good for quick use where the SSH provide a better security and pro workflow, As I setup the GitHub Desktop the frequent password auth for every push didn't appear, I find it more useful
GitHub Desktop app available for the mac and Windows you can find the download link here . Download and install the app according to your OS, Linux users must follow traditional terminal : )
if you don't have a GitHub Account , no worries you can skip the login steps. or You can continue with GitHub login, and for Fabacademy GitLab the signing is not important.
If you skip you need to configure the Name and email , just like you used to config in the terminal for the “git config --global --list” , as you commit the name will appear like in the preview. I suggest you use the same mail and username of your Fabacademy GitLab account.