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You can learn the basics of GitHub in your browser without knowing how to code, using a command line, or installing Git. A first project can teach you the core workflow: create a repository, make a branch, edit and commit a file, open a pull request, review it, and merge it.
What is GitHub?
Git and GitHub are related, but they are not the same thing. Git is version-control software: it tracks changes to files over time. GitHub is an online platform for hosting Git projects and collaborating on them. GitHub describes itself as a platform that lets you save Git projects to the cloud and work on them with other developers. Read GitHub’s explanation of Git and GitHub.
These terms describe the basic workflow:
- Repository: A project and its tracked history.
- README: A file that explains what the project is and how to understand or use it.
- Branch: A separate line of work where you can make changes without immediately changing the primary branch, often named
main. - Commit: A saved snapshot of changes in the project history, usually accompanied by a short message describing the change.
- Pull request: A proposal to review and merge changes from one branch into another. It also gives people a place to discuss the changes.
How do you use GitHub for beginners?
Follow GitHub’s Hello World exercise to practice the complete cycle in a browser. GitHub says the exercise does not require coding experience, command-line familiarity, or a Git installation. Open the Hello World tutorial.
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- Create a repository. Sign in to GitHub, create a new repository, and give it a descriptive name. Add a README so the project has an introduction. Choose public visibility if you want others to see the repository, or private visibility if it should not be publicly visible.
- Create a branch. Start a branch for your change. It gives you a separate place to work while leaving the primary branch, commonly called
main, unchanged. - Edit a file. Make a small change, such as updating the README. In the browser exercise, use GitHub’s file-editing interface; you do not need a local editor for this first practice project.
- Commit the change. Save your edit as a commit and write a short message that says what you changed. The commit becomes part of the repository’s history.
- Open a pull request. Propose merging your branch into the primary branch. Review the proposed changes and use the pull request to discuss them if needed.
- Merge the pull request. Once the changes are ready, merge them into the target branch. For a personal practice project, you can review and merge your own pull request. In a shared project, another contributor may review it first.
Can you use GitHub without the command line?
Yes. The browser-based Hello World exercise is the simplest starting point: it lets you practice repositories, branches, commits, and pull requests without installing Git or opening a terminal.
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If you want to work with files saved on your computer, GitHub Desktop provides a graphical interface for common Git operations. Its documented workflow is to create or clone a repository, edit files in an editor, then commit and publish the changes through Desktop. GitHub describes Desktop as free and open source and lists Windows and macOS availability. Check GitHub Desktop for current platform support and installation details, since availability can change.
The command line is another option when you need more control or want to perform less common operations. GitHub’s Getting started with Git guide introduces Desktop for common tasks and then covers command-line tools, including GitHub CLI.
Should you start in the browser or with GitHub Desktop?
| Starting approach | Setup burden | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub in a browser | Lowest; the Hello World exercise requires no Git installation or terminal | Learning the basic workflow or making a small edit directly on GitHub |
| GitHub Desktop | Install the app; GitHub lists Windows and macOS availability | Working with a local repository and seeing common Git actions in a graphical interface |
| Command line | Requires setting up command-line tools | Learning more advanced operations or needing greater control |
What should a beginner learn next?
Once the repository-and-pull-request cycle makes sense, practice it on a project you can safely change. For a deeper explanation of Git itself, GitHub’s learning resources point to Pro Git, a book by Scott Chacon and Ben Straub, published by Apress. It is an optional reference, not a prerequisite for completing the beginner workflow.
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