Git and GitHub for Beginners (2026) – Simple Guide

A simple and clear guide to Git and GitHub for absolute beginners.

What is Git?

Git is a tool that helps you track changes in your code.

It remembers:

What changed
When it changed
Who changed it

Think of Git like a save button for your code, but much smarter.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a website where you store your Git projects online.

It lets you:

Back up your code
Share code with others
Work with a team

How to set and configure git and github

Step 1: Install Git

Windows

Go to https://git-scm.com
Download Git
Install using default settings

Mac

brew install git

Linux

sudo apt install git

Check Installation

git --version

Shows which version of Git is installed.

Step 2: Configure Your Identity

Run these commands in your terminal (VS Code terminal is fine):

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

user.name: Your name that will show on commits
user.email: Your email that identifies your commits

Step 3: Create a GitHub Account

Go to github.com
Click Sign up
Verify your email

GitHub stores your projects online and allows collaboration.

Step 4: Basic Git Commands

You can run these commands from VS Code terminal in your project folder.

Initialize Repository

git init

Starts tracking your project in Git.

Check Status

git status

Shows which files have changed and which are staged for commit.

Add Files

git add .

Stages all files for commit (prepares them to be saved).

git add filename.txt

Stages a specific file only.

Commit Changes

git commit -m "Add initial files"

Saves a snapshot of your project with a message explaining changes.

View History

git log

Shows a list of past commits, who made them, and messages.

Step 5: Connect to GitHub

Create Repository on GitHub

Click + → New repository on GitHub
Enter a repository name
Click Create repository

Link Local Project to GitHub

git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repo.git

Connects your local project to the online repository (replace username and repo with your GitHub username and repo name).

git branch -M main

Sets the main branch as default.

git push -u origin main

Uploads your local files to GitHub for the first time.

Tip: Open VS Code, navigate to your project folder, and run all Git commands from the integrated terminal.

Step 6: Daily Workflow

After making changes, use these commands in VS Code terminal:

git status

Check what changed

git add .

Stage all your changes

git commit -m "Describe your change"

Save changes with a clear message

git push

Upload your changes to GitHub

Step 7: Pull Changes

git pull

Fetches the latest changes from GitHub and updates your local project

Step 8: Branching

Create and Switch Branch

git checkout -b feature-name

Makes a new branch to work on a feature without affecting main

Merge Branch Back

git checkout main
git merge feature-name

Combines changes from the feature branch into main

Common Commands Cheat Sheet

git init                    # Start tracking project

git clone <url>            # Copy a repository from GitHub

git status                 # Check changed files

git add .                  # Stage all changes

git add filename.txt       # Stage a specific file

git commit -m "message"    # Save changes with a message

git push                   # Upload changes to GitHub

git pull                   # Download changes from GitHub

git branch                 # List branches

git checkout <branch>      # Switch branch

git merge <branch>         # Merge a branch into current branch

git log                    # View commit history

Troubleshooting

Permission denied → set up SSH keys
Merge conflict → resolve conflicts manually
Detached HEAD → switch back to main branch

Best Practices

Commit often with clear messages
Pull before pushing to avoid conflicts
Use branches for new features
Write descriptive commit messages
Don’t commit sensitive files (.env, passwords)

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All commands should be run from VS Code terminal in your project folder.

You now know Git basics and where to link your project to GitHub!

Git and GitHub for Beginners Explained in 5 minutes