How to Use GitHub: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started and Exploring Its Benefits in 2025

Ever felt overwhelmed managing projects, tracking changes, or collaborating with your team? Whether you’re a developer, designer, or someone managing non-code projects, staying organized can be a real challenge. That’s where GitHub comes in—it’s your all-in-one platform for version control, teamwork, and project management.

So, what is the use of GitHub? Built on Git, it’s designed to track every change, making collaboration smooth and efficient, no matter the project size.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to use GitHub effectively, explore its must-know features, and learn how it can transform your workflow. Say goodbye to messy project management—let’s dive into the world of GitHub and get you started with confidence!

How to Use GitHub: A Step-by-Step Approach

Getting started with GitHub can seem overwhelming, but once you understand the core features, it becomes an essential tool for version control and collaboration. 

Follow this guide to create repositories, commit changes, and collaborate efficiently. With practical steps, you'll gain hands-on experience in using GitHub’s core features.

Step 1: Create a Repository

The first step is to create a repository where all your project files will be stored and versioned.

How to do it:

• Log in to your GitHub account and click on "New Repository."
• Name your repository, select visibility (public or private), and click "Create Repository."

# Command to initialize a repository locally
git init

Your repository is the central place where all project files are stored. It helps you manage and track changes over time.

Step 2: Add and Commit Changes

Now that your repository is set up, you can start adding files and committing changes to your project.

(Source: Github)

How to do it:

• Add files with this command:

git add .

Commit your changes with a message:

git commit -m "Initial commit"

Committing your changes allows you to save the progress you’ve made. It also creates a history of your project, making it easy to track changes.

Step 3: Push Changes to GitHub

Once you’ve committed changes locally, you need to push them to GitHub to make them available to others.

(Source: Github)

How to do it:

• Link your local repository to GitHub using the command:

git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/your-repository.git

• Push your changes to GitHub:

git push -u origin main

Pushing your changes makes them accessible on GitHub, where others can view, contribute to, and collaborate on your project.

Step 4: Collaborate Using Forks and Pull Requests

GitHub makes collaboration easy through forks and pull requests, which are essential for contributing to other projects.

(Source: Github)

How to do it:

• Fork a repository you want to contribute to.
• Clone your forked repository:

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/other-repository.git

• After making changes, push them to your fork and create a pull request on GitHub.

Forks and pull requests let you contribute to projects and collaborate with others while keeping your own code separate from the original.

Step 5: Use GitHub Issues for Project Management

GitHub’s issue tracker helps you manage tasks, bugs, and feature requests for your project.

(Source: Github)

How to do it:

• Go to the "Issues" tab in your repository.
• Click "New Issue" to create a task, bug report, or feature request.
• Assign issues to team members and track progress.

# Command to close an issue when it's resolved
git commit -m "Fix issue #12"

GitHub Issues helps you organize tasks and track progress, making it easier to manage your project and collaborate with your team.

Also Read: What is a Project in Project Management? Definition, Features, Types & Examples

Step 6: Set Up GitHub Actions (Optional for Advanced Users)

GitHub Actions automates workflows such as testing, building, and deploying your project, saving you time and reducing errors.

(Source: Github)

How to do it:

• Go to the "Actions" tab in your repository.
• Set up a workflow using a template or create a custom YAML file to automate processes.

name: Node.js CI

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - run: npm install
      - run: npm test

Automating tasks with GitHub Actions helps maintain consistency in your project and improves the efficiency of your workflow.

By following these steps, you'll be able to use GitHub effectively for version control, collaboration, and project management. 

Now, let’s move on to getting started with GitHub by setting up the installation and configuring your account.

Getting Started with GitHub: Installation and Setup Process

Getting started with GitHub involves installing Git, creating a GitHub account, configuring Git to work with GitHub, and optionally setting up SSH for secure communication. Follow these steps to set everything up seamlessly.

Step 1: Install Git

First, you need to install Git on your computer. Git is the version control tool that GitHub uses to track changes in your code.

• Installation steps for Windows:
  • Download Git from the official Git for Windows website.
  • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. You can keep the default settings during installation.
• Installation steps for macOS:

  • If you have Homebrew installed, you can use the following command in the terminal:

    brew install git

  • Alternatively, download the Git installer from the official site Git for macOS.
• Installation steps for Linux (Ubuntu):
  • Use the following command to install Git:

sudo apt install git

• Verify installation:

After installing, check if Git is installed by running this command in the terminal or command prompt:

git --version

Once you have installed git successfully, it is time to create a GitHub account.

Step 2: Create a GitHub Account

After installing Git, sign up for GitHub to start creating repositories and collaborating.

• How to sign up:
  1. Visit GitHub.
  2. Click on "Sign up" and enter your email, username, and password.
  3. Complete the setup and verify your email address.
  4. Optionally, personalize your profile by adding a bio, profile picture, and links to social media or projects.

Your GitHub account lets you create repositories, contribute to others' projects, and collaborate with developers globally.
Let’s now move on to how to configure Git.

Step 3: Configure Git with GitHub

Now, you need to configure Git to work with your GitHub account by setting your username and email.

• Set global configurations:
  Open your terminal and run the following commands, replacing "Your Name" and "youremail@example.com" with your details:

 git config --global user.name "Keshav"
git config --global user.email "Keshavemail@examemailple.com"

• Verify your configuration:
  To check your configuration settings, run:

git config --list

This ensures your commits are properly attributed to your GitHub account.
Next, let’s see how to set up SSH.

Step 4: Set Up SSH for Secure Communication (Optional)

Setting up SSH for GitHub allows you to securely communicate with GitHub without needing to enter your password each time.

Generate an SSH key:
Open the terminal and run this command to generate an SSH key:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "Keshavemail@examemailple.com"

• This will prompt you to save the key to a file (press Enter to accept the default path).

Add the SSH key to GitHub:

• Copy the SSH key by running:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

• Go to your GitHub SSH settings, click "New SSH key," and paste the copied key.

Test the SSH connection:
Test the connection to GitHub by running:

ssh -T keshav@github.com

If the setup is successful, you should see a message saying:

Hi keshav! You've successfully authenticated, but GitHub does not provide shell access.

With these steps, you've set up Git, GitHub, and optionally SSH for secure communication. 

Now, you’re ready to learn about the important terminology that you will come across while using GitHub. It will also help you learn how to use GitHub properly.  

Essential GitHub Terminology Every Beginner Should Know

When starting with GitHub, it’s important to learn key terms that form the foundation of version control, collaboration, and project management. Understanding these terms will help you use GitHub effectively and streamline your workflow.

Here’s a list of the most commonly used terms:

• Repository
  A repository (or "repo") is a central location where your project files are stored. It tracks all the changes made to the project, making it easy to collaborate with others.
  • Example: A repository could be the main folder for your website’s code, tracking everything from HTML files to CSS and JavaScript.
• Commit
  A commit is a snapshot of your project at a particular point in time. It records changes made to the files in your repository.
  • Example: After editing a file, you commit the changes to save the new version in the repository so others can access it.
• Branch
  This is a version of your repository that runs parallel to it. It allows you to make changes or add features without affecting the main version.
  • Example: You can create a branch to work on a new feature and later merge it with the main branch once it's finished.
• Pull Request
  This is a way to propose changes to a project. It’s used to submit your branch to the main repository for review and potential merging.
  • Example: After creating a feature on your branch, you submit a pull request for others to review and merge the changes into the main branch.
• Merge
  In this process changes from different branches can be combined together. It allows you to incorporate changes into the main codebase.
  • Example: After approval, all the changes can be merged into the original branch, and everyone can access the updated code.

These terms form the basis of how to use GitHub for version control, project management, and collaboration.

Also Read: Git Tutorial For Beginners: Learn Git from Scratch

Next let us have a look at the most popular commands that you need to know while using GitHub.

Top GitHub Commands for Beginners: A Must-Know List

When you're starting with GitHub, understanding the essential Git commands is crucial. These commands help you interact with your repositories, track changes, and collaborate effectively. 

Below is a list of the most commonly used Git commands, along with explanations and examples to help you get started.

By mastering these, you'll be able to handle basic version control tasks, manage your repository, and collaborate with others smoothly.

Next, let’s check out the most common errors and how to rectify them.

Common GitHub Errors and How to Fix Them

When you're starting with GitHub, you may run into some common errors. These issues can be frustrating, but understanding how to troubleshoot them can save you time and help you avoid roadblocks. 

Below are some of the most frequently encountered GitHub errors and their solutions.

1. Merge Conflicts
Merge conflicts occur when changes in two branches conflict with each other and Git cannot automatically merge them.

• How to fix it:

1. Identify the conflicting files by running:

git status

2. Open the conflicting files and resolve the conflicts manually by choosing which changes to keep.

3. After resolving conflicts, add the files:

git add <filename>

4. Commit the resolved changes:

git commit -m "Resolved merge conflict"

5. Finally, push the changes:

git push

2. Authentication Issues
Authentication errors occur when Git cannot verify your credentials, often due to an incorrect username/password or missing SSH keys.

• How to fix it:

 1. If using HTTPS, check your credentials by running:

git config --global credential.helper cache

2. If using SSH, ensure your SSH key is correctly added to GitHub. Run this command to test the connection:

ssh -T git@github.com

3. If needed, regenerate your SSH key and add it to GitHub by following the instructions mentioned earlier.

3. Detached HEAD State
A detached HEAD state occurs when you're not on a branch but have checked out a specific commit, making it difficult to commit changes.

• How to fix it:

1. To return to a branch, run:

git checkout main

2. If you want to save the changes you made while in detached HEAD, create a new branch before switching back:

git checkout -b <new-branch-name>

4. Rejected Push (Non-Fast-Forward)
This error happens when you try to push changes, but your local branch is behind the remote branch. This often happens when others have pushed changes to the repository after you last pulled.

• How to fix it:

1. First, pull the latest changes:

git pull origin main

2. Resolve any conflicts, if necessary, and then push your changes:

git push origin main

These tips will help you avoid some of the common pitfalls beginners encounter while using GitHub. 

Now, let's explore what GitHub is used for and how it benefits your development workflow.

What Is the Use of GitHub? Exploring Its Benefits

GitHub is an essential tool that serves as the foundation for modern software development. Whether you’re working on a solo project or collaborating with a team, GitHub helps you manage your code, track changes, and collaborate seamlessly.  

Below, let’s explore how GitHub benefits you in real-life scenarios, enhancing productivity and collaboration throughout the development process. These will answer the question ‘what is the use of GitHub?’ sufficiently. 

Using GitHub gives you access to powerful tools that simplify project management, collaboration, and code tracking. These are some of the many answers of the classic question ‘what is the use of GitHub?’. 

Also Read: Top 15+ Open Source Project Repositories on GitHub to Explore in 2025

Now, let’s see how upGrad can help you master GitHub and take your career to the next level.

How upGrad Can Enhance Your Expertise in Outlier Analysis

upGrad is a top platform designed to help students and professionals excel in software development and version control. Through industry-relevant programs, upGrad provides the expertise and tools you need to become proficient in GitHub and elevate your development workflow.

Explore these programs, including free courses, to strengthen your understanding of GitHub and its powerful features:

• Post Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning & NLP (Executive)
• Cloud Computing and DevOps Program by IIITB - (Executive)
• Master of Design in User Experience 
• Advanced JavaScript for All
• Fundamentals of Cloud Computing

Get personalized guidance from upGrad’s experts or visit your nearest upGrad Career Centre to accelerate your learning and reach your career aspirations!

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References:
https://git-scm.com/download/win
https://git-scm.com/download/mac
https://github.com/
https://github.com/settings/keys
https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/committing-changes-to-your-project/creating-and-editing-commits/about-commits
https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/creating-and-managing-repositories/creating-a-new-repository