Introduction to Git & GitHub: Your First Steps into Version Control

Whether you're building your first website, collaborating on a team, or contributing to open source — Git and GitHub are tools every developer should know. This guide will walk you through the essentials to get up and running.

What’s the Difference?

Git is a version control system. It helps you track changes to your code, revert to previous versions, and work on features without affecting your main project.

GitHub is a platform for hosting and collaborating on Git repositories. It lets you share your work, contribute to others’ code, and maintain a professional portfolio of your projects.

Setting Up Git

First, install Git from git-scm.com and configure your identity:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your@email.com"

This ensures your commits are linked to your name and email address.

Starting a Project with Git

Navigate to your project folder and initialize Git:

git init

This creates a hidden .git directory where Git will track your project’s changes.

Next, stage your files and commit the first version:

git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"

git add . stages all changes, and git commit saves a snapshot with your message.

Connecting to GitHub

Create a new repository on GitHub (leave it empty), then link your local repo and push your code:

git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/your-repo.git
git branch -M main
git push -u origin main

Your project is now live on GitHub.

Everyday Git Commands

Here are some commands you’ll use daily:

git status – See current changes and staging info
git log – View your commit history
git diff – See what has changed before committing
git pull – Sync with GitHub
git push – Upload changes to GitHub
git clone <url> – Copy a GitHub repo to your machine

Branching & Collaboration

When working on a new feature, use branches to keep things isolated:

git checkout -b new-feature
# make your changes
git add .
git commit -m "Add new feature"
git push origin new-feature

Then, open a Pull Request (PR) on GitHub to propose your changes and merge them after review.

Wrap-Up

With these few commands, you can:
- Track your code changes locally
- Work with others on the same project
- Back up and showcase your code on GitHub

What’s Next?

- Learn how to use .gitignore to exclude files
- Explore how to resolve merge conflicts
- Contribute to open-source projects

Want to take it further? Try using Git with VS Code, add SSH for GitHub, or dive into GitHub Actions for automation.