GitHub/Get Started

To get started with GitHub, you will need to create a user account and then create a repository. In this lesson you will also use the web interface to create a README.md file, add files and folders to the repository, and then delete files and delete the repository.

Multimedia

YouTube: Creating folders and uploading files on GitHub

Join GitHub

Review GitHub: Signing up for a new GitHub account
Visit GitHub: Join GitHub
Enter your username, email address, and password.
Verify your account.
Choose the free individual plan.

Apply for a GitHub Student Developer Pack

Review GitHub: Apply for a student developer pack.
Visit GitHub: Student Developer Pack.
Select Get your pack.
Follow the instructions to apply for a GitHub Student Developer Pack.

Create a Repository

Review GitHub: Create a Repo.
Visit GitHub and sign in to your account.
Select Repositories / New.
Enter Test for the repository name.
Select the option to make it a private repository. (Note: A public repository can only be viewed as a website when using GitHub Free.)
Select the option to Initialize this repository with a README.
Create the repository.

Edit the README

Review GitHub: Editing Files in Your Repository.
Select the link to your README.md file to open the file.
Select the Edit this file icon (pencil) to edit the file.
The README may contain anything you like. Because it is a private repository, only you and users you invite will be able to see this repository.
Commit the change to modify the README file.
Observe the new front page for your repository.
If desired, edit the README and commit additional changes now that you are able to see how the README will appear.

Create a File

GitHub repositories are typically managed using the git command line or a git utility. But it is also possible to edit content directly using the GitHub website.

In your GitHub repository select Create new file.
Enter test.txt for the filename.
Enter anything you wish for the file content.
Commit the change.

Edit a File

Select test.txt.
Select the Edit this file icon (pencil) to edit the file.
Change the file content to anything you wish, but something different so you can see the change.
Select Preview changes to see the change.
Commit the change.

Create a Folder and File

In your GitHub repository select Create new file.
Enter My Folder/My File.txt for the filename.
Enter anything you wish for the file content.
Commit the change.

Add Collaborators

In your GitHub repository select Settings.
Select Manage access.
Select Invite a collaborator.
Enter the GitHub username of anyone you would like to have collaborate with you on your repository. Collaborators will have write access.
Select Add collaborator to send a collaboration invitation.

Delete a Folder and File

In your GitHub repository select My Folder.
Select My File.txt to view the file.
On the right, select the Delete this file (trash can icon).
Commit the change.
Observe that an empty folder is automatically removed from a git repository.

Delete a Repository

In your GitHub repository at the top, select Settings.
Observe the repository options available.
At the bottom of the page, select Delete this repository.
Delete your Test repository.

Use GitHub

You are now ready to use GitHub and create your own repository.