Beginner's Handbook

Git & GitHub

A complete, start-to-finish guide — from installing Git for the first time, to pushing projects on GitHub, working with a team, and polishing your profile. Pick a chapter below, or read them in order if you're brand new to this.

01 What is Git & GitHub?

Git is a tool that tracks changes in your code over time. Think of it like a save history for your project — you can go back to any previous version whenever you want. It works entirely on your own computer, no internet needed.

GitHub is a website that stores your Git projects online. It lets you back up your code, share it with others, and collaborate without things getting messy.

Simple way to think about it — Git is the tool on your PC, GitHub is like Google Drive but for your code. This handbook covers both, split into five short chapters so nothing feels overwhelming.

02 The Guides

Each chapter stands on its own, but they build on each other in this order:

01 · Git Basics

Learn Git on its own

Install Git, understand commits and branches, save your first snapshot, and undo mistakes — all before you even touch GitHub.

 02 · GitHub Essentials

Get your code online

Create a repo on GitHub (web or CLI), push a whole folder for the first time, clone other people's projects, and manage public vs. private repos.

 03 · Working with Others

Build with a team

Add collaborators to a private repo, open pull requests, review code, resolve merge conflicts, and contribute to other people's open-source projects.

 04 · Profile & Portfolio

Make your GitHub stand out

Build a special profile README, pin your best repos, add stats and badges, and keep your contribution graph looking active.

 05 · Tips & Tricks

Level up

Aliases, stashing, interactive rebase, cherry-picking, useful gh CLI shortcuts, and a taste of GitHub Actions.

03 How to Use This

Every command in this handbook sits inside a dark terminal box you can copy with one click. Open a real terminal next to this page and type along — reading alone won't build the muscle memory.

New to all of this? Start at Part 1 — Git Basics and work through the chapters in order. Already comfortable with commits and branches? Jump straight to Part 2 — GitHub Essentials.