
GitHub is a powerful tool for developers, but it can be overwhelming for beginners. To get started, you need to create a GitHub account, which is free and only takes a minute. You can do this by going to the GitHub website and clicking on the "Sign up" button.
To create a repository, you need to click on the "+" button in the top right corner of the GitHub dashboard. This will give you the option to create a new repository from a template or from scratch.
GitHub repositories are the central hub for your code, and they can be public or private. If you're working on a public project, you can make your repository public, but if you're working on a private project, you should make it private to keep your code secure.
To make a repository private, you need to go to the repository settings and toggle the "Private" option to the right. This will lock your repository down and prevent anyone from accessing it without permission.
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Basic Git Operations
Creating a new commit is as simple as adding a file to the staging environment using the git add command. This is a crucial step in the Git workflow.
To see what changes you've made since the last commit, use the git status command. This will show you which files have been changed and are ready to be committed.
Git has several common operations that help you manage your repository, including creating pull and merge requests, creating a branch, cloning a repository, and forking a repository. These operations are essential for collaborative work.
To add a file to the staging environment, you can use the git add command, followed by the filename. This will tell Git to prepare the file for a new commit.
Once you've added files to the staging environment, you can use the git log command to see all new commits. This is a great way to track the history of your project.
Here are the basic Git operations you need to know:
- Creating pull and merge requests
- Creating a branch
- Cloning a repository
- Forking a repository
To push your committed changes to the remote repository, use the git push origin main command. This will make your changes live on GitHub.
Collaboration and Sharing
Creating a pull request (PR) is a crucial step in collaborating with others on a GitHub repository. A PR is a way to alert the repo's owners that you want to make some changes to their code.
You can create a PR by following Step 8: Create a pull request (PR) in GitHub. This allows the repo's owners to review the code and make sure it looks good before putting your changes on the primary branch.
Some common operations in GitHub that facilitate collaboration include creating pull and merge requests, creating a branch, cloning a repository, and forking a repository.
To collaborate effectively, you can also contribute to open-source projects by submitting pull requests, reporting issues, or improving documentation. This shows your teamwork and technical skills to the community.
Pull Request (PR)
A pull request (PR) is a way to alert a repo's owners that you want to make some changes to their code. It allows them to review the code and make sure it looks good before putting your changes on the primary branch.
You can create a pull request in GitHub by selecting the branch you want to merge your changes into and the branch that contains your commits. Then, you'll need to enter a title and description for your pull request.
To create a pull request, you'll typically see a big green button at the bottom that says 'Merge pull request'. Clicking this means you'll merge your changes into the primary branch. However, it's still a good idea to make a pull request even if you're a co-owner or the sole owner of a repo.
Here are the common merge options you'll see when merging a pull request:
- Merge pull request. Merges all the commits into the base branch.
- Squash and merge. Squash all the commits into a single commit.
- Rebase and merge. Rebase the commits individually onto the base branch.
After merging a pull request, you can delete the branch to keep the repository tidy. GitHub automatically prompts you to delete it after the merge.
Using the '+' Button
Click the '+' button on the GitHub webpage to create a new repository. This will bring up a drop-down box with some options.

To create a new repository, click the "New Repository" button. This will redirect you to a new page where you can fill in the necessary information for your repository.
You can type anything in the Description field. It's optional whether you want to choose your repository to be viewed publicly or privately.
By ticking the box next to "Add a README file", you can create a repository with a README file. Once your repository is created, the README file will be the first file pushed to your repository.
Filters for Issues and Pull Requests
Filters for Issues and Pull Requests can be a game-changer for collaboration and sharing. You can use filters to locate issues and pull requests based on specific criteria.
The status filters allow you to specify open or closed issues and pull requests. This is especially useful when you need to focus on ongoing projects or resolve existing issues.
To get started with filters, you can use the status filters to narrow down your search. Simply select the status you're interested in, and the relevant issues and pull requests will be displayed.
Marketplace

GitHub Marketplace is a platform where developers discover tools to enhance and streamline their GitHub workflows. It serves as a hub for free and paid tools for various development needs.
Two types of tools are available on GitHub Marketplace: GitHub Actions and Apps. GitHub Actions automate workflows directly within GitHub, while Apps integrate with GitHub for tasks like code review and project management.
GitHub Actions are published by developers who contribute to the platform, and certain verified partner organizations display a "verified creator" badge. This badge provides added confidence in the actions.
Apps are available to all users for free, but only organizations can sell their apps on the platform.
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Promote Your Profile
Having a strong GitHub profile is crucial for developers, as it showcases their skills, projects, and contributions to the community. Build an impressive profile README that introduces you, highlights your skills, and showcases your best projects.
Create high-quality repositories that focus on significant projects with clear README files, meaningful commit messages, and well-documented code. This demonstrates your expertise and helps attract collaborators and potential employers.

Contribute to open-source projects by collaborating on existing projects, submitting pull requests, reporting issues, or improving documentation. This showcases your teamwork and technical skills, which are valuable assets for any developer.
To increase visibility, share your work on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Explain the purpose and value of your repositories and projects to make them more appealing to others.
Add GitHub links to your portfolio, including your GitHub profile or specific projects, to provide concrete proof of your skills. This is especially useful when applying for jobs or professional profiles.
To keep your profile active, regularly update your repositories and push new commits to show consistent engagement and growth as a developer.
An Account
Creating a GitHub account is the first step to collaborating and sharing with others. You can sign up for a GitHub account by going to github.com and clicking Sign Up.
To create a strong account, enter your username, email, and create a password that you'll remember but others won't. Choose the free plan, which is perfect for beginners.
After creating your account, verify your email address and log in to start using GitHub.
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Managing Repositories
Managing repositories on GitHub is a breeze. You can create and update repositories by editing files, adding, or deleting files.
To create a repository, follow the process explained in detail here. Once you've created your repository, you can start adding files according to your projects.
To add files to your repository, you can simply follow the steps outlined in the example.
Update Repositories
Updating a repository on GitHub is a straightforward process. You can edit files to make changes to your repository.
GitHub provides developers with the tools to update repositories, either by editing files or adding/deleting files. This is a crucial aspect of managing your repository.
To update a repository, you can start by editing files, which will reflect the changes on the GitHub page. This way, you can keep your repository up-to-date and collaborate with others seamlessly.
Cloning a repository is another way to update your local copy, and you can do this by using the cloning feature on GitHub. This will keep a copy of the repository on your desktop.
Cloning Repositories
Cloning a repository is a great way to keep a local copy of your code. This allows you to make changes and sync them with the original GitHub page.
GitHub offers many features, including cloning repositories, which is done to keep a copy of the repository on your desktop. You can then make changes in the desktop files, and they will be reflected on the GitHub page.
To clone a repository, go to the GitHub repository you'd like to clone and click the "Code" button. This will give you a link to copy.
You'll need to open Git Bash and type a specific code to clone the repository. You can find this code by copying the link from the "Code" button.
To clone the repository, copy the URL from the "Code" button on your repo page. Then, in your terminal, run the code you copied from the link.
Cloning a repository means copying the remote repo to your computer. This is done by clicking "Code" and copying the URL, then running the code in your terminal.
Here are the steps to clone a repository:
- On your repo page, click Code > copy the URL.
- In your terminal, run the copied code.
Labels
Labels are a great way to provide tags for descriptive metadata in your repository, helping to organize push/pull requests, issues, and other items.
They can be seen by navigating to the “Issues” section and clicking “Labels” to view all available labels.
You can also create your own custom label in GitHub.
The process for creating a custom label is explained in detail elsewhere, so be sure to check that out if you're interested.
Restore Changes to Computer
Restoring changes to your computer can be a bit tricky, especially if you're new to using Git Hub. You can use the Git Hub desktop app to restore changes, but first, you need to make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.
One way to restore changes is to use the "Revert" feature, which allows you to undo changes made to your code. This is especially useful if you've made a mistake or want to go back to a previous version of your code.
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To use the "Revert" feature, you'll need to navigate to the commit that you want to revert and click on the "Revert" button. This will create a new commit that undoes the changes made in the previous commit.
If you've made changes to your code and want to restore it to a previous version, you can use the "Reset" feature. This will reset your code to the exact state it was in at the previous commit.
Remember, restoring changes is an important part of using Git Hub, and it's essential to understand how to do it correctly.
Understanding Git
Git is a powerful version control system that tracks changes to your code. It allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously without overwriting each other's changes.
Here are some key benefits of using Git:
- It keeps a history of all changes, making it easy to revert to previous versions if needed.
- It allows multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously without overwriting each other's changes.
By using Git, you can easily manage different versions of your code and collaborate with others on a project.
Bask in Glory
You've successfully made a PR and merged your code to the primary branch. Congratulations! You've earned your git glory.
GitHub's official git cheat sheets are a great resource for remembering everyday commands. Handy for remembering the everyday commands you'll use.
If you're confused or intrigued by git's branch system, don't worry, it's normal. It's one of the deepest parts of git, but also arguably the most powerful. Understanding the branch model gives you git superpowers.
Here are some advanced tutorials and resources to dive deeper:
- https://training.github.com/
- https://learngitbranching.js.org/
- https://git-school.github.io/visualizing-git
- https://github.com/jlord/git-it-electron
- https://github.com/Gazler/githug
What Is?
GitHub is a cloud-based platform that combines Git, a powerful version control system, with features that facilitate collaboration and project management.
GitHub uses Git, a distributed version control system that tracks changes to your code, allowing multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously without overwriting each other's changes.
It keeps a history of all changes, making it easy to revert to previous versions if needed.
For more insights, see: Google Cloud Platform Git
GitHub is designed for collaborative work, allowing multiple people to contribute to a project, review code, discuss issues, and merge changes efficiently.
This makes it an ideal platform for open-source projects and team-based development.
Here are some of the primary uses of GitHub:
- Code collaboration: Share and merge code changes in a streamlined manner.
- Version control: Track changes and maintain project history.
- Open-source projects: Host and contribute to publicly available software projects.
- Project management: Organize tasks with built-in project boards and issue tracking.
- CI/CD integration: Automate testing and deployment with GitHub Actions.
GitHub provides tools for managing your projects, such as issues, pull requests, and project boards, which help you keep track of tasks, bugs, and enhancements, making it easier to manage your project's workflow.
Important Commands
Git itself is very simple to work with, and there are only about 12 git commands developers use on a regular basis.
These commands are used to perform a variety of tasks, including getting changes from the server and updating a remote repository.
Git pull is used to get changes from the server, while git push is used to update a remote repository.
You'll also use git add to stage a file and git commit to take a snapshot of your files.
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Additionally, you'll need to use git fetch to update your tracking branches and git merge to bring branches together.
To create a repository, you'll use git init.
You can also use git rebase to align your commit history, git clone to copy a remote repository, and git reset to reverse changes.
If you need to undo a commit, you can use git revert.
Finally, you'll use git switch to move between branches.
Important Commands
Git itself is very simple to work with, and beginners are often surprised to find out there are only about 12 git commands developers use on a regular basis.
Here are the essential Git commands you need to know:
- git pull to get changes from the server.
- git push to update a remote repo.
- git add to stage a file.
- git commit to take a snapshot of your files.
- git fetch to update your tracking branches.
- git merge to bring branches together.
- git init to create a repository.
- git rebase to align your commit history.
- git clone to copy a remote repo.
- git reset to reverse changes.
- git revert to undo a commit.
- git switch to move between branches.
With these 12 git commands under your belt, you're well on your way to becoming an expert with these tools.
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