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🧩Make your First Repository with Git & GitHub
🧩Make your First Repository with Git & GitHub
#github#git#beginners#help

🧩Make your First Repository with Git & GitHub

Author
Muhammad Hamid Raza
2 min read

Version control is the backbone of modern software development β€” and in 2025, Git and GitHub are more powerful (and beginner-friendly) than ever.

Whether you're solo-building side projects or collaborating in massive open-source ecosystems, this guide helps you use Git & GitHub faster and smarter.


🧩 Step 1: Install Git

Head over to Download Link and download Git for your OS. After installation:

# Confirm installation
$ git --version

βœ… If you see a version number, you're ready.


πŸ“¦ Step 2: Set Up Git for the First Time

# Configure your identity
$ git config --global user.name "Your Name"
$ git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

πŸ”’ This info will appear in your commit history.


πŸ› οΈ Step 3: Initialize Your First Git Project

  1. Create a folder for your project
  2. Open it in VS Code
$ git init
$ touch index.html
$ git add .
$ git commit -m "Initial commit"

βœ… Your project is now version controlled!


☁️ Step 4: Create & Push to GitHub

  1. Go to Github β†’ New Repository
  2. Name it and don’t initialize with README
$ git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git
$ git push -u origin main

πŸ” Now your project lives on the cloud!


πŸ’» Step 5: Use Git Inside VS Code

  • 🧩 Use the Source Control panel
  • πŸ“ Stage and commit files easily
  • πŸ” Preview changes visually

Bonus Extensions:

  • 🎯 GitLens β†’ Deep Git insights
  • πŸ›  GitHub Pull Requests β†’ Code review inside VS Code

πŸ—οΈ Step 6: Manage Large Projects Like a Pro

πŸ“ Structure wisely:

src/
assets/
components/

🧹 Use a .gitignore to keep your repo clean:

node_modules/
dist/
.env

πŸ’‘ Pro Tips:

  • Create feature branches (git checkout -b new-feature)
  • Use Pull Requests for collaboration
  • Organize tasks in GitHub Projects (Kanban-style)

πŸš€ New Git & GitHub Features in 2025

✨ GitHub Copilot Workspace

  • πŸ€– AI-assisted setup, commits & PRs
  • ✍️ Code suggestions from issue context

πŸ—‚οΈ GitHub Projects 2.0

  • πŸ“Š Hybrid board & roadmap view
  • 🧠 Smart filters & dependencies

βš™οΈ GitHub Actions

  • ⚑ Faster CI/CD pipelines
  • 🐳 Native Docker + Node.js support
  • πŸ” Free secrets scanning

🧠 Smart Git Tips Most Devs Overlook

πŸ“œ Better Commit History

$ git log --oneline --graph --all

βͺ Undo Commits (without losing code)

$ git reset --soft HEAD~1

🧳 Use Stash for Temporary Saves

$ git stash
$ git stash pop

βš”οΈ Git vs GitHub

FeatureGit (Local)GitHub (Cloud)
Tracks codeβœ… Yesβœ… Yes
Works offlineβœ… Yes❌ No
Team collaboration🚫 Noβœ… Yes
Pull Requests🚫 Noβœ… Yes
Issue Tracking🚫 Noβœ… Yes

πŸ” GitHub Best Practices (2025 Edition)

  • βœ… Enable branch protection rules
  • πŸ§ͺ Turn on code scanning
  • πŸ” Store secrets via GitHub Actions env vars
  • πŸ’¬ Use GitHub Discussions for ideas & feedback

βœ… TL;DR β€” Master Git & GitHub Like a Pro

  • βš™οΈ Install + configure Git
  • πŸ’» Use VS Code for a smooth workflow
  • ☁️ Push & sync with GitHub
  • πŸ“ˆ Organize work using GitHub Projects
  • πŸ€– Supercharge with Copilot & Actions

The sooner you master Git & GitHub, the faster you’ll ship cleaner, smarter code.

πŸš€ Go commit something awesome today!

Author

Muhammad Hamid Raza

Content Author

Originally published on Dev.to β€’ Content syndicated with permission