It is normal for developers to save different versions of their work, track changes, make changes, and collaborate; this is the work of Git.
What is Git
Git is a version control system that lets one:
- Track changes
- Go to earlier code versions
- Collaborate
- Save code online on GitHub
Steps
Step 1: Installing Git Bash
Go to Git Bash
Select your Operating System, e.g., Windows, macOS, or Linux
Install Bash
Open Git Bash
You will see a terminal that looks like this:
username@computer MINGW64 ~
Step 2: Create (or Log Into) a GitHub Account
Go to Github
Create an account or log in if you already have one
Step 3: Connect Git Bash to GitHub
Set up your name
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
Set up your email
git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"
Note: Make sure the email matches your GitHub email.
Check Your Configuration:
git config --list
Step 4: Create a New Project or Repository(repo)
Create a Folder
mkdir my-first-git-project
Navigate to the now-created folder
cd my-first-git-project
Initialize Git
git init
Now Git is watching this created project
Step 5: Track Changes with Git
Create a File
touch index.html
Open the Folder Directly from Git Bash
Input this in Git Bash and press enter:
code .
This opens VS Code: The dot (.) means “this current folder."
Step 6: Create the First code in VS Code
Open index.html and add this code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My First Git Project</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Hello World!</h1>
</body>
</html>
Step 6: Check Git Status in Git Bash
Return to Git Bash and run:
git status
Git will show index.html as untracked.
This means Git sees the file, but it has not started tracking it yet.
Step 7: Add the File to Git Tracking
Track the index.html by running:
git add index.html
Or add everything using:
git add .
Step 8: Commit Your Changes
git commit -m "Initial HTML file commit"
The m means a message to be added to the commit
Step 9: Create a Repository on GitHub (Online)
Now that your project exists locally on your computer, the next step is to create an online repository on GitHub where your code will be stored and shared.
Make sure you are logged in to Github
On the right top corner of the github website, click the + icon.
Select New repository
Enter a Repository name; use the same name as your folder i.e:
my-first-git-project
Choose Public
Scroll to the bottom and click Create repository
Github will now show some commands
Step 10: Connect Your Local Project to GitHub
Return to Git Bash and run:
git remote add origin https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/my-first-git-project.git
Replace YOUR-USERNAME with your actual GitHub username
Step 11: Rename the Default Branch**
Run:
git branch -M main
Step 12: Push Your Code to GitHub
Run:
git push -u origin main
Note:
git push - send your code online
origin - the GitHub repository
main - the branch name
-u - remembers this destination for future pushes
Step 13: Go back to your GitHub repository page and Refresh the page
You will now see the index.html file and the commit message
Step 14: Pull Code from GitHub
This will let the latest code be pulled or downloaded back to your local machine, where you can again edit the code. Run:
git pull origin main
Summarized Git Workflow
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