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GitHub Setup Guide for Beginners

Complete step-by-step guide to install Git, GitHub CLI, and learn basic commands

Welcome to GitHub!

This guide will help you set up Git and GitHub from scratch, even if you've never used them before. By the end, you'll be able to clone projects, make changes, and push your code to GitHub.

What is Git and GitHub?

Git is a tool that helps you track changes in your code. Think of it like a "save game" feature for your projects.

GitHub is a website where you can store your Git projects online and share them with others.

GitHub CLI is a command-line tool that makes it super easy to work with GitHub directly from your terminal.

Step 1: Create a GitHub Account

If you don't have a GitHub account yet:

  1. Go to github.com
  2. Click Sign up
  3. Choose to sign up with an OAuth provider for ease, or fill in your email, password, username, and country
  4. Verify your email address
  5. Complete the setup

GitHub Signup Page

Done! You now have a GitHub account.

Step 2: Install Git on Your Computer

For Windows Users

Download Git for Windows

  1. Download Git

  2. Install Git

    • Run the downloaded .exe file and follow the installation wizard
    • You can keep all default settings (recommended for beginners)

  3. Verify Installation

    • Open Command Prompt or PowerShell
    • Type this command and press Enter:
    1 
    • You should see something like: git version 2.43.0
    • If you see this, Git is installed successfully! ✅

For Mac Users

  1. Open Terminal

    • Press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal"
    • Press Enter

  2. Install Git using Homebrew (recommended)

    First, install Homebrew if you don't have it:

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    Then install Git:

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  3. Alternative: Install Xcode Command Line Tools

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  4. Verify Installation

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    • You should see something like: git version 2.43.0

For Linux Users (Ubuntu/Debian)

  1. Open Terminal

  2. Update package list

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  3. Install Git

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  4. Verify Installation

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Step 3: Install GitHub CLI

GitHub CLI (gh) makes working with GitHub much easier! It handles authentication automatically and simplifies many tasks.

For Windows Users

Using winget (Windows 11 or Windows 10 with App Installer):

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Manual Installation:

  1. Go to cli.github.com
  2. Download the Windows installer
  3. Run the .msi file and follow the installation wizard

For Mac Users

Using Homebrew (recommended):

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For Linux Users (Ubuntu/Debian)

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For other Linux distributions, check the official installation guide.

Verify GitHub CLI Installation

Open your terminal and run:

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You should see something like: gh version 2.40.0

GitHub CLI Version Check

Step 4: Configure Git with Your Information

Now that Git is installed, you need to tell it who you are. This information will be attached to your commits.

  1. Open your terminal (Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Terminal)

  2. Set your name (replace with your actual name):

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    Example:

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  3. Set your email (use the same email as your GitHub account):

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    Example:

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  4. Verify your configuration:

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    You should see your name and email in the output.

Step 5: Authenticate with GitHub using GitHub CLI

This is the easiest way to connect to GitHub! GitHub CLI will handle all the authentication for you.

Login to GitHub

  1. Run the authentication command:

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  2. Follow the interactive prompts:

    GitHub CLI Authentication

    • What account do you want to log into?

      • Select GitHub.com (use arrow keys and press Enter)

    • What is your preferred protocol for Git operations?

      • Select HTTPS (recommended for beginners)

    • Authenticate Git with your GitHub credentials?

      • Select Yes

    • How would you like to authenticate GitHub CLI?

      • Select Login with a web browser (easiest option)

  3. Complete the browser authentication:

    • A code will appear in your terminal (e.g., ABCD-1234)
    • Press Enter to open your browser
    • If it doesn't open automatically, go to github.com/login/device
    • Enter the code shown in your terminal
    • Click Authorize GitHub CLI
    • You'll see a success message!

  4. Verify you're logged in:

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    GitHub CLI Authentication Success

    You should see: ✓ Logged in as your-username

That's it! You're now authenticated and ready to use Git and GitHub. No need to remember passwords or create tokens!

Step 6: Basic Git Commands

Now you're ready to use Git! Here are the essential commands you'll use every day.

Clone a Repository (Download a Project)

Cloning means downloading a project from GitHub to your computer.

Using GitHub CLI (Easiest!)

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Example:

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Using Git (Traditional Method)

  1. Find the repository on GitHub

  2. Click the green "Code" button

  3. Copy the HTTPS URL

  4. In your terminal, navigate to where you want the project:

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  5. Clone the repository:

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    Example:

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  6. Navigate into the project:

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    Example:

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Check Status (See What Changed)

See which files you've modified:

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This shows:

  • Files that are ready to commit (green)
  • Files that are modified but not staged (red)
  • New files that aren't tracked yet

Add Files (Stage Changes)

Before you can save (commit) your changes, you need to stage them.

Add a specific file:

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Add all changed files:

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Example:

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Or add everything:

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Commit Changes (Save Your Work)

A commit is like saving a checkpoint in your project.

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Example:

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Tips for good commit messages:

  • Be clear and specific
  • Use present tense ("Add feature" not "Added feature")
  • Keep it short (under 50 characters if possible)

Push Changes (Upload to GitHub)

Pushing sends your commits from your computer to GitHub.

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Or if it's your first push on a new branch:

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Note: The default branch might be called main or master depending on the repository.

Pull Changes (Download Updates)

If someone else made changes to the project on GitHub, you can download them:

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This updates your local copy with the latest changes from GitHub.

Step 7: Complete Workflow Example

Here's a typical workflow when working on a project:

Starting a New Project

  1. Clone the repository:

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  2. Make your changes (edit files, add new files, etc.)

  3. Check what changed:

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  4. Stage your changes:

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  5. Commit your changes:

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  6. Push to GitHub:

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Daily Workflow

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Bonus: Useful GitHub CLI Commands

GitHub CLI makes many tasks easier! Here are some helpful commands:

View Repository Information

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Create a New Repository (interactive mode)

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Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Starting Fresh with a New Repository

Create a new repository using GitHub CLI:

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Scenario 2: You Made a Mistake in Your Commit Message

If you just committed and want to change the message:

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Scenario 3: You Want to Undo Changes

Undo changes to a file (before staging):

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Unstage a file (after git add):

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Undo the last commit (keep changes):

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Troubleshooting

Problem: "gh: command not found"

Solution: GitHub CLI isn't installed or not in your PATH.

  • Reinstall GitHub CLI following Step 3
  • Close and reopen your terminal
  • On Windows, restart your computer if needed

Problem: "Authentication failed"

Solution: You need to login again.

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Problem: "fatal: not a git repository"

Solution: You're not in a Git project folder.

  • Make sure you're in the correct directory
  • Or initialize Git with: git init

Problem: "Your branch is behind 'origin/main'"

Solution: Someone else pushed changes. Pull them first:

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Problem: Merge Conflicts

Solution: When two people edit the same file:

  1. Git will mark the conflicts in your files
  2. Open the file and look for <<<<<<<, =======, >>>>>>>
  3. Edit the file to keep what you want
  4. Remove the conflict markers
  5. Stage and commit:
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Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Essential Git Commands

CommandWhat it does
git clone <url>Download a repository from GitHub
git statusSee what files have changed
git add .Stage all changes
git add <file>Stage a specific file
git commit -m "message"Save your changes with a message
git pushUpload commits to GitHub
git pullDownload updates from GitHub
git logSee commit history

Essential GitHub CLI Commands

CommandWhat it does
gh auth loginLogin to GitHub
gh auth statusCheck login status
gh repo clone <repo>Clone a repository
gh repo create <name>Create a new repository
gh repo viewView repository info
gh pr createCreate a pull request
gh pr listList pull requests
gh issue listList issues

Configuration Commands

CommandWhat it does
git config --global user.name "Name"Set your name
git config --global user.email "email"Set your email
git config --listView all settings

Why GitHub CLI is Better for Beginners

No complex authentication setup - Just gh auth login and you're done!

Fewer commands to remember - gh repo clone instead of copying URLs

Built-in help - Type gh to see all available commands

Works seamlessly with Git - Automatically configures everything

Interactive prompts - Guides you through each step

No need for Personal Access Tokens - Authentication is handled for you

Next Steps

Now that you have Git and GitHub CLI set up, you can:

  1. Clone the Ideathon starter repository
  2. Make changes to your project
  3. Commit and push your work
  4. Collaborate with your team

Ready to start building? Head over to the Getting Started Guide to begin your Ideathon project!

Additional Resources

Need Help?

  • Discord - Ask in the GDG Discord server
  • Mentors - Talk to your assigned mentors
  • Email - Contact the organizing team

Happy coding!

On this page

Welcome to GitHub!What is Git and GitHub?Step 1: Create a GitHub AccountStep 2: Install Git on Your ComputerFor Windows UsersFor Mac UsersFor Linux Users (Ubuntu/Debian)Step 3: Install GitHub CLIFor Windows UsersFor Mac UsersFor Linux Users (Ubuntu/Debian)Verify GitHub CLI InstallationStep 4: Configure Git with Your InformationStep 5: Authenticate with GitHub using GitHub CLILogin to GitHubStep 6: Basic Git CommandsClone a Repository (Download a Project)Using GitHub CLI (Easiest!)Using Git (Traditional Method)Check Status (See What Changed)Add Files (Stage Changes)Commit Changes (Save Your Work)Push Changes (Upload to GitHub)Pull Changes (Download Updates)Step 7: Complete Workflow ExampleStarting a New ProjectDaily WorkflowBonus: Useful GitHub CLI CommandsView Repository InformationCreate a New Repository (interactive mode)Common ScenariosScenario 1: Starting Fresh with a New RepositoryScenario 2: You Made a Mistake in Your Commit MessageScenario 3: You Want to Undo ChangesTroubleshootingProblem: "gh: command not found"Problem: "Authentication failed"Problem: "fatal: not a git repository"Problem: "Your branch is behind 'origin/main'"Problem: Merge ConflictsQuick Reference Cheat SheetEssential Git CommandsEssential GitHub CLI CommandsConfiguration CommandsWhy GitHub CLI is Better for BeginnersNext StepsAdditional ResourcesNeed Help?