Getting Started with R, RStudio, and GitHub for DS421

📦 Step 1: Install / Update R

1. Visit the official R website: https://cran.r-project.org
2. Click Download R for (your OS) — choose Windows, macOS, or Linux
3. Follow the installer instructions

✅ Confirm installation by opening R and typing version

🧰 Step 2: Install / Update RStudio

1. Go to https://posit.co/download/rstudio-desktop/
2. Download the free version of RStudio Desktop
3. Install and open RStudio

✅ RStudio should automatically detect your R installation

🐙 Step 3: Create / Update your GitHub Account

1. Navigate to https://github.com
2. Sign up using your school or personal email
3. Choose a username you’ll use professionally (e.g., csmith-ds421)
4. Verify your email and log in

✅ Tip: Add a profile picture and short bio (e.g., “Cartographic Design student”)

📁 Step 4: Create a Repository for Class

1. On GitHub, click the + icon > New repository
2. Name it: DS421-Carto-Design
3. Add a short description: “Projects for Cartographic Design (DS421)”
4. Set visibility to Public or Private (your choice)
5. ✅ Check the box to add a README.md
6. Click Create repository

📎 Your repo URL will look like: https://github.com/yourusername/DS421-Carto-Design

🔗 Step 5: Check for / Install Git & Link GitHub to RStudio

Check for Git

For macOS users

Open RStudio and use the Terminal tab (bottom left panel). Type:

which git

If you see something like /usr/bin/git, you’re good! If not, install Xcode Command Line Tools.

For Windows users

In the Terminal tab in RStudio, type:

where git

If no result is shown, download Git for Windows: https://git-scm.com/download/win

Configure Git

Run the following in the RStudio Terminal (replace with your GitHub name/email):

git config --global user.name "Jane Doe"
git config --global user.email janedoe@example.com"

Check your setup:

git config --list --global

Generate and Store a GitHub PAT

A PAT (Personal Access Token) is needed to push to GitHub securely.

1. In the Console tab (next to Terminal):

install.packages("usethis")
usethis::create_github_token()

2. This opens a GitHub page. Name the token (e.g. ds421-laptop) and click Generate token.

3. Copy the token to your clipboard (you won’t be able to see it again).

4. Back in the Console:

gitcreds::gitcreds_set()

5. Paste your token when prompted.

6. Check that everything works:

usethis::git_sitrep()

✅ You should see your GitHub username and confirmation that credentials are set.

🧮 Step 6: Create a New RStudio Project Linked to GitHub

1. Open RStudio
2. Go to File > New Project
3. Choose Version Control > Git
4. Paste your GitHub repo URL (e.g., https://github.com/yourusername/DS421-Carto-Design)
5. Choose a local folder on your computer to store the project
6. Click Create Project

🧠 You’ve now cloned your repo and linked it to RStudio.

You should now see the README.md file in your RStudio Files pane.

🗺️ Step 7: Install mapgl and Set Up Mapbox Token

The mapgl package allows you to create beautiful interactive maps using Mapbox. To use it, you’ll need a Mapbox access token.

Install mapgl

install.packages("mapgl")

Set up Mapbox Access Token

💡 Please do not put any credit card info

Store Your Token in R

In the Console:

usethis::edit_r_environ()

This opens your .Renviron file. Add the line:

MAPBOX_PUBLIC_TOKEN='pk.eyJ1IjoiY29ubm9yZmx5bm4iLCJhIjoiY2x5cWFtZzk0MGU4MzJqb2F0a2w1bGJkZiJ9.fB81ysj5JOrG16upKvzk4A'

Save and restart RStudio. The mapgl() function will now automatically detect your token.

📘 More info: Getting Started with mapgl

🔄 Step 8: Make a Test Commit

1. Create a new R script: File > New File > R Script
2. Add the following code to test your mapgl installation:

library(mapgl)

mapboxgl()

3. Save the script as mapgl_intro.R
4. Run the script — a globe should appear in the Viewer pane like this:

Output from mapgl() showing the globe

5. In the Git tab (top-right pane), check the boxes next to the new files
6. Click Commit, write a short message like Initial mapgl test, and click Commit
7. Click Push to upload your changes to GitHub

🧪 Check your GitHub repo — your script should be visible online.

🧭 You’re All Set!

You now have: - ✅ R and RStudio installed - ✅ Git and GitHub connected to RStudio - ✅ A GitHub repository cloned as a local R project - ✅ Mapbox + mapgl ready for interactive mapping - ✅ A working commit + push setup

🚀 Next Steps

• Learn basic git workflows in RStudio
• Explore R Markdown and Quarto documents for map projects
• Clone example repos from classmates or the instructor

---

Need help? Reach out during lab or post in the course GitHub Discussions!