Hi lovely readers,
Have you ever made a new release of a project and wondered how to mark that version properly in Git? Maybe you heard about tags, or maybe someone told you to create one, but you were not sure how. The good news is that GitHub makes this very easy. You can create a Git tag directly from the GitHub web page, without using the command line.
In this guide, we will look at what a tag is, why you might use one, and how to create a tag on GitHub step by step.
If you like clean versioning, simple releases, or just want to keep your project organised, keep reading.
Why create a Git tag
Keep track of versions
A tag is like a label that points to a specific commit. When you release version 1.0, you probably want to tag it as v1.0.0 or something similar. This makes it easy to find the code for that version later.
Great for releases
Tags are often used when publishing release notes or downloadable builds. GitHub will even bundle your source code and make it available as a download.
Clear project history
With tags, you can quickly see when major versions were created. This helps you and your team understand the history of the code.
How to create a tag on GitHub
You can create a Git tag directly from the GitHub web interface. Here is how to do it.
1. Open your repository
Go to the GitHub repository where you want to create a tag. Make sure you are logged in and have the right access.
2. Go to Releases
At the right of the repository, Look for Releases.
Click Create a new release.
3. Choose or create a tag
At the top of the release form, you will see Choose a tag.
- If the tag already exists, you can select it.
- If you want a new tag, type a name like
v1.0.0. - GitHub will show an option to Create new tag.
Click it.
4. Add release details (optional)
You can give your release a title and a description. Many people write a short changelog or a summary of what is new.
You can also upload files, such as compiled builds or release assets.
5. Publish
Click Publish release.
Your tag now exists in the repository.
Where to see your tags
Once you clicked Publish release the release page should pop up. In here you can download all your code as a ZIP or TAR.GZ and share it easily with others.
You can find the release page after closing on the right side of your repository page where you clicked create a new release just moments ago.
You can also fetch tags in Git:
git fetch --tags
Quick summary
Task Action on GitHub
Create a tag Releases > Draft a new release > Type tag name
Tag a specific commit Choose branch or commit in dropdown
Add release notes Fill title and description
That is a wrap
Creating Git tags on GitHub is simple and clear. You do not need the command line at all. Tags help you mark important versions, share releases with users, and keep your project history organised.
I hope this guide helped you understand how to create a Git tag from the GitHub web page. If you have questions or comments, you can reach me on @lovelacecoding on most social media platforms, or you can open an issue or leave a comment.
See ya!
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