Git and GitHub Tutorial for Beginners

Starting with Git can feel confusing at first, but once you understand a few core commands, it becomes one of the most useful tools for managing code. This guide explains Git and GitHub in a simple way, with clear examples you can follow step by step.

What is Git

Git is a version control system. It helps you track changes in your code over time.

You can use Git to:

• save code history
• see what changed
• go back to older versions
• work safely with other developers
• avoid overwriting each other’s code

What is GitHub

GitHub is a website where developers store and manage Git repositories online.

Git does the tracking on your computer. GitHub gives you an online place to keep the project, share it, and collaborate with others.

Basic Terms You Should Know

Repository

A repository, or repo, is your project folder that Git tracks.

Commit

A commit is a saved snapshot of your changes.

Branch

A branch is a separate line of work. You can build a feature in a branch without touching the main code.

Clone

Clone means downloading a GitHub repository to your computer.

Push

Push means sending your local commits to GitHub.

Pull

Pull means getting the latest updates from GitHub to your computer.

Staging

Staging means preparing files before making a commit.

Git File Status

When you work with files in Git, they usually appear in one of these states:

• Untracked = new file that Git is not tracking yet
• Modified = tracked file has been changed
• Staged = file is ready to be committed
• Unmodified = no changes made since the last commit

Step 1: Install Git on Windows

First, install Git on your computer.

1. Open your browser
2. Go to https://git-scm.com/downloads
3. Download Git for Windows
4. Run the installer
5. Complete the installation with default settings

After installing, open Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Git Bash and check the version:

git --version

If Git is installed correctly, you will see the installed version.

Step 2: Configure Git for the First Time

Before using Git, set your name and email. This information is attached to your commits.

git config --global user.name "RIZWAN AKHTAR"
git config --global user.email "rizikmw@gmail.com"

To view your saved Git configuration:

git config --list

Tip: Use the same email that you use on GitHub if you want your commits linked to your GitHub account.

Step 3: Clone a Repository from GitHub

If a project already exists on GitHub, you can download it to your local machine using git clone.

git clone <repository-link>

Example:

git clone https://github.com/RizwanKMW/reviewsfunda.git

This command creates a copy of the project on your computer.

Step 4: Check Repository Status

You can check the current state of your project files with:

git status

This command shows:

• which files changed
• which files are staged
• which files are not being tracked yet

Step 5: Add Files to Staging

Before saving changes in Git, you need to add them to the staging area.

Add one specific file

git add index.html

Add all changed files

git add .

Example: If you edited index.html and style.css, then git add . will stage both files.

Step 6: Commit Changes

After staging files, save them with a commit.

git commit -m "Add initial files"

A good commit message should clearly explain what changed.

Examples of better commit messages:

• Add login page
• Fix contact form validation
• Update homepage content

Step 7: Push Code to GitHub

After committing locally, send your changes to GitHub using:

git push origin main

Here:

• origin = remote repository name
• main = branch name

Creating a New Git Repository from Scratch

If your project is only on your computer and not yet connected to GitHub, follow these steps.

1. Go to your project folder

Open terminal inside your project folder.

2. Initialize Git

git init

This turns your folder into a Git repository.

3. Add all files

git add .

4. Make your first commit

git commit -m "Add initial files"

5. Connect your local project to GitHub

git remote add origin <repository-link>

Example:

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

6. Check branch name

git branch

7. Rename branch to main

git branch -M main

8. Push code to GitHub

git push -u origin main

Note: It is origin, not origan.

Understanding Branches

Branches let you work on features or fixes without affecting the main project immediately.

For example, if you want to create a new feature, you can create a branch for it. Once the feature is ready, you can merge it into the main branch.

See all branches

git branch

Switch to another branch

git checkout branch-name

Create and switch to a new branch

git checkout -b new-branch-name

Delete a branch

git branch -d branch-name

Merging Branches

After finishing work in a branch, you can merge it into your main branch.

Compare differences before merge

git diff branch-name

Merge a branch into your current branch

git merge branch-name

Example workflow:

1. Create branch login-page
2. Work on login feature
3. Commit changes
4. Switch to main
5. Run git merge login-page

Pull Latest Changes from GitHub

If another developer updated the project, or if you updated code directly on GitHub, you should pull the latest changes.

git pull origin main

This downloads and merges the latest changes from GitHub into your local branch.

Delete Files or Folders in Git

If you want to remove a file or folder from the repository, use:

git rm file.txt
git rm -r folder-name

Then commit and push:

git commit -m "Remove unused files"
git push origin main

Undoing Changes

Beginners often make mistakes. That is normal. These commands help you undo common changes.

Discard changes in a file before staging

git checkout -- index.html

This restores the file to the last committed version.

Unstage a file after git add

git reset index.html

Undo last commit but keep changes

git reset --soft HEAD~1

Undo last commit and remove changes

git reset --hard HEAD~1

Warning: The hard reset command permanently removes changes that are not saved elsewhere.

Helpful Daily Git Workflow

Here is a simple daily routine for beginners:

1. Open project folder
2. Run git pull origin main
3. Make your code changes
4. Run git status
5. Run git add .
6. Run git commit -m "your message"
7. Run git push origin main

Example Full Workflow

Here is a complete beginner example from start to finish:

git clone https://github.com/username/projectname.git
cd projectname
git status
git add .
git commit -m "Update homepage content"
git push origin main

How to Create a README.md File

A README.md file explains your project. It is usually the first file people read on GitHub.

Basic example:

# Project Name

## Description
Short details about the project.

## Features
- Login system
- Dashboard
- Contact form

## Installation
1. Clone the repository
2. Open the project
3. Run the project

## Author
Your name

Best Tips for Beginners

• run git status often
• write clear commit messages
• pull latest changes before starting work
• use branches for new features
• do not use git reset --hard unless you are sure
• practice with a test repository first

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

• forgetting to run git add before commit
• pushing to the wrong branch
• editing code without pulling latest updates
• using unclear commit messages like update files
• confusing Git with GitHub

Quick Command Summary

git --version
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"
git config --list

git clone <repository-link>
git status
git add .
git add index.html
git commit -m "Your message"
git push origin main
git pull origin main

git init
git remote add origin <repository-link>
git branch
git branch -M main
git checkout branch-name
git checkout -b new-branch-name
git branch -d branch-name
git diff branch-name
git merge branch-name

git rm file.txt
git rm -r folder-name

git reset index.html
git reset --soft HEAD~1
git reset --hard HEAD~1

xd

How to clone private repositories to remote servers ie Github -> namecheap

1. In namecheap generate keys using below command

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "server-deploy"

This creates two files: ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 , ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

2. Copy the public key
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

3.Goto below directory and paste the public keys there
GitHub → Settings → SSH and GPG Keys → New SSH Key

4. Goto namecheap terminal and paste below command

git clone git@github.com:USERNAME/REPOSITORY.git #this will clone zip source code

to clone direct files use below commands

cd ~/public_html
git init
git remote add origin git@github.com:USERNAME/REPOSITORY.git
git pull origin main

 

5. Deploy updates from GitHub

git pull origin main

DOWNLOAD LATEST CODE FROM GITHUB TO LOCAL

git fetch origin
git reset --hard origin/main

Final Words

Git and GitHub may look technical in the beginning, but the basics are actually simple once you practice them. Start with cloning, checking status, adding files, committing, pulling, and pushing. After that, learn branches and merging. With regular use, these commands will become part of your normal coding workflow.