How to Create a GitHub Repository and Push Your First Project
Originally published on CodingCush . To put your first project on GitHub, you create a repository on the GitHub website, then on your own computer you turn your project folder into a Git project, save a first commit, connect it to that repository, and push. Five ideas, in that order: repository, init, commit, remote, push. Beginners often think GitHub copies files the way a pen drive does. It…
To create a GitHub repository and push your first project, follow these five steps: first, create a repository on GitHub. Next, turn your project folder into a Git project. After that, stage and commit your files. Then, connect your folder to GitHub, known as the remote. Finally, push your project to GitHub. Beginners often mistakenly believe that GitHub copies files like a USB drive.
It does not. Instead, GitHub hosts a Git history, a record of saved snapshots, and pushing means sending that history from your computer to GitHub. Understanding this concept transforms the commands from mysterious actions into a simple checklist you can repeat for each project. This guide assumes that Git is installed and you have a free GitHub account.
If you are unfamiliar with Git and GitHub, it is recommended to read a brief explanation of the differences between the two first.
To begin, sign in to GitHub and create a new repository. Choose a clear, simple name in lowercase with hyphens, such as "my-first-website" or "student-login-php." Add a short description if desired. Select "Public" if the project is for learning, your portfolio, or a college submission that others should see. Opt for "Private" if the project contains sensitive information.
Leave the options to add a README, .gitignore, and license unchecked for this initial walkthrough, as your local project already contains files. The GitHub guide for creating a new repository outlines the same screens with visual aids. After clicking "Create repository," GitHub displays a page with several command blocks. Keep this tab open, as you will need the repository address from it in the following steps.
The address will appear similar to this: "https://github.com/your-username/my-first-website.git." This address represents the repository's home on the internet.
Next, you need to transform your project folder into a Git project on your own computer. Open a terminal within your project folder, which contains your code files. Run "git init" to create a hidden ".git" folder, where Git will store the entire history. Note that nothing has been uploaded or saved as a snapshot yet. You have only instructed Git to monitor the folder.
To confirm that Git is active, run "git status" after each step in this guide. Familiarity with "git status" is crucial, as it provides clear, understandable messages about which files Git sees, which are ready to save, and what actions it suggests taking. Regularly reviewing this command helps you become comfortable with Git's functionality.
The GitHub documentation on creating a new repository explains that the empty repository comes first, followed by pushing your local project to it.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
