How to upload a project to Github as a beginner

Any developer or professional linked to the technological world knows what it is GitHubHowever, not everyone masters the process of upload a project to Github and take full advantage of the potential of version control, team collaboration, and professional visibility that this platform offers.

So, in this sense, both beginners and experts often find themselves somewhat lost. In this article, you will learn We tell you how to do it, since There are several options or methodsIf you want to make your project available for collaboration or for others to easily view and download, read on to learn all the details.

What is a repository and why host it on GitHub?

Un repository It is the virtual space where your project's files and folders are stored, along with the history of changes that occur to them as you progress through their development. This history allows Manage versions, revert to previous states, collaborate with others, and keep a clear record of your work progress..

Host a repository on GitHub It has multiple advantages:

• Version control: Your changes are recorded and you can undo, review, or share any part of the development.
• Cloud backup: you avoid losing important information in the event of any local incident.
• Professional visibility: Being public, anyone can see your work, which enhances your portfolio.
• Simple collaboration: GitHub makes it easy for others to contribute to your project through pull requests, issues, or forks.

Getting Started: Prerequisites and Environment Preparation

Before uploading a project to Github, make sure you have the following installed on your computer:

• Account on GitHub. It is essential to create repositories on the platform.
• Git installed. It is the basic version control tool that allows you to manage changes. You can download and install it from its official website. On Linux-based systems, you can perform the installation by running the command sudo apt-get install git at the terminal.
• Code editor or IDE. Options like Visual Studio Code (VSCode) make the process easier. If you want to take advantage of direct integration with GitHub from the editor, it's recommended to download one of these tools.

Once installed Git on your system, the first step is to configure it with your name and email (This data will be used to sign your commits.) From the terminal, run the following:

git config --global user.name "TuNombre"
git config --global user.email [email protected]

This configuration is global and you'll only have to do it once on your team.

Creating the repository on GitHub

Now it's time to create the space where you'll host your project. Do this from the GitHub web interface by following these steps:

1. Access your profile in GitHub.com and press the button "New" to create a new repository.
2. Enter the name desired for the repository and adds a description brief but concrete about the purpose of the project.
3. Choose whether the repository will be public or privateIf you want others to be able to view and participate, select public.
4. You have the option to create a file README.md automatically. This file is recommended, as it's the first thing other developers will see when they access the repository.
5. Click on "Create repository" to complete the process and your repository will be ready to receive files.

Preparing your local project for upload to GitHub

With your repository created, the next step to upload a project to GitHub is to prepare your project folder on your computer. To do this, follow these instructions in the terminal, first locating the correct path with cd:

cd tu-carpeta-del-proyecto

Now initialize the local Git repository:

git init

This will create a hidden folder called .git that stores the version history and other internal files.

 

Uploading the code to GitHub: the complete process in terminal

Once the local repository is initialized, we will upload all the content to GitHub by running these commands:

1. Add all files to the staging area with:

git add .

2. Make a commit To record the first checkpoint:

git commit -m "Primer commit"

3. Link the local repository with the remote one. Replaces NOMBRE_USUARIO y NOMBRE_REPOSITORIO by real data:

git remote add origin https://github.com/NOMBRE_USUARIO/NOMBRE_REPOSITORIO.git

4. Upload changes to GitHub (branch main o master as appropriate):

git push -u origin main

In some older repositories or configurations, the main branch is master instead of mainIf you get errors, check the name of the main branch and replace it in the command above.

How to upload projects to Github from VSCode

Modern editors such as VSCode They feature native integration with Git and GitHub. Here's how to do it easily:

• Open your project folder in the editor (“File → Open Folder”).
• Access the panel Source Control (source code control) located in the sidebar.
• Click "Initialize repository" if you haven't already. This is equivalent to the command git init.
• Once initialized, you will see a button to Publish to GitHubIf this is your first time, you'll need to authorize the connection between VSCode and your GitHub account.
• Choose to publish the repository as public or private.
• Prepare the files for the first commit by marking the changes and adding a descriptive message.
• Publish your project and you can easily sync changes from the editor.

This option is perfect for those who prefer to stay within the development environment and makes daily project management much easier.

Upload files manually from the GitHub website

Another alternative, especially for small projects, is to upload files manually from the web interface:

1. Enter the newly created repository on GitHub.
2. Click on the drop-down menu "Add file" and select Upload files.
3. Drag and drop files or folders from your computer to the browser window.
4. At the bottom, add a confirmation message and click on Commit changes to upload the files.

This method is less efficient for projects in active development, but is useful for adding specific files, documentation, and other items.

Advanced management and best practices when working with GitHub

Uploading a project is just the beginning. To get the most out of GitHub and maintain a professional organization, we recommend following these additional best practices:

• Keep README.md up to date. This is your project's cover letter. It explains its purpose, how to install it, how to use it, and any relevant details. You can edit it directly online or from your editor using Markdown syntax.
• Create work branches. Don't make all your changes in "main" or "master." Use separate branches for new features or fixes. You can later merge them using pull requests.
• Upload .gitignore files to avoid sharing sensitive or automatically generated data, such as node_modules folders, temporary files, or local configuration files.
• Periodically synchronize your local and remote repositories. Use git pull to keep your local copy up to date with any changes that may have been made by contributors.
• Manage remotes carefully. If you ever change the remote source, use git remote -v to review the associated repositories and git remote remove origin to remove them if necessary.

Clone and collaborate on projects: the next step

Once your repository is in the cloud, you can clone it to any other computer using:

git clone https://github.com/TU_USUARIO/TU_REPOSITORIO.git

This will create a local copy of your project, including all its change historyIf you want the folder to have a different name, you can add it to the end of the command. To prevent the command from creating a new folder and placing files directly into the current directory, add a period:

git clone https://github.com/TU_USUARIO/TU_REPOSITORIO.git .

Collaborating with other users on GitHub is all about learning the flow of branches, pull requests, and code reviews. This way, you'll be able to accept external contributions and work as a team in an organized and efficient manner.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

When uploading a project, you may encounter some common issues. Here are the most common ones and how to resolve them:

• Trying to push to an empty repository without a master branch- If the remote repository was created without a README.md and a branch has never been pushed, make sure to push the first branch with the correct name, usually "main" or "master".
• Synchronization conflicts: When there are simultaneous changes locally and remotely, resolve them by first doing a git pull and resolving conflicts before doing git push again.
• Insufficient permits: Make sure you have the correct credentials and check that the remote URL is spelled correctly (https or ssh as appropriate).
• Forgetting to add important files: Review and update your file .gitignore so as not to leave out key files or accidentally upload private information.

Uploading your project to GitHub is a game-changer for your workflow: you can always recover past versions, collaborate, and showcase your work to the world.