docs: getting started - git prereq

docs/development/README.md

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Getting started
+# Getting started with development
 
 !!! info
 
@@ -9,6 +9,25 @@
 
 This section describes the tooling you need to have installed and configured on your development machine before continuing.
 
+### Git
+
+Git is an open source version control system that we use in `pems` to track changes to the codebase over time. Many operating
+systems come with Git already installed. Check if you have Git installed in a terminal with the following command:
+
+```shell
+git --version
+```
+
+If git is installed, the output should look similar to:
+
+```console
+$ git --version
+git version 2.39.5
+```
+
+If Git is not installed, head to the [Git downloads page](https://git-scm.com/downloads) to get an installer for your operating
+system.
+
 ### Docker and Docker Compose
 
 Docker and Docker Compose (or just Compose) are key tools that allow for running the various services required for `pems`.