Git and GitHub Introduction
When you write code, you will eventually want to return to an earlier state or edit the same files with teammates. Git is the version control system that solves those problems. GitHub is the platform for sharing and collaborating on Git-managed code over the internet.
For engineers in 2026, Git and GitHub are essential tools. This section explains the points where beginners often get stuck.
What You Will Learn
Basic Git Commands
Learn how Git works as a version control system. Practice everyday commands such as init, add, commit, log, and status with examples. This page also explains .gitignore and common beginner mistakes.
GitHub Accounts and SSH Keys
Set up a GitHub account and SSH authentication so you can push and pull code safely. You will also learn how to create repositories with GitHub CLI (gh).
What Is a Fork?
Learn how to copy another developer’s repository into your own account with a fork. This page also covers customizing open source projects and pulling in upstream updates.
Cloning and Customizing a Repository
Learn the practical steps for forking or cloning a template repository and making it your own. The guide explains the difference between origin and upstream, and how to switch remotes.
Branches and Merges
Learn how to develop on separate branches and merge them into main. This page explains both CLI workflows and GitHub Pull Requests, including how to resolve conflicts.
Creating Pull Requests and Requesting Reviews
Learn how to create a Pull Request, request review, respond to review comments, and merge changes. This page also explains PR fields, draft PRs, and self-review checklists.
Fixing Push Failures
Learn the causes of git push errors and how to fix them. The page covers tracking information, mismatched remote and local history, and other common beginner issues.
pull vs rebase
Learn the differences between git pull and git rebase, and when to use each. You will also learn how to update branches safely and how to use --force-with-lease for safer force pushes.
GitHub Features Guide
A beginner-friendly walkthrough of all major GitHub features, from Issues and Projects to GitHub Actions, Releases, and GitHub Pages. Covers everything you need to go from task tracking to CI/CD.
Getting Started with CI/CD Using GitHub Actions
Learn the basics of CI/CD by automating tests, builds, and deployments with GitHub Actions. Covers workflow file syntax, Node.js and Python examples, and automatic deployments.
Team Development Workflow
Covers best practices for team development centered on GitHub Flow. Topics include branch naming conventions, commit message standards, PR review culture, branch protection rules, and more — everything you need for real-world team collaboration.
Basic Feature Development Flow with GitHub
Use a new feature as an example to understand the full flow: updating main, creating and naming a working branch, implementing changes, staging, committing, pushing, opening a PR, responding to review, and merging.
Practice: Team Development Flow from Issue to Merge
Experience a realistic new-feature scenario from Issue creation to branch, implementation, PR, review, and merge. This page helps connect each Git and GitHub feature into one practical workflow.
What You Can Do After Learning Git
| Capability | Commands |
|---|---|
| Save code and keep a history | git add / git commit |
| Return to an earlier state | git checkout / git revert |
| Develop multiple features in parallel | git branch / git merge |
| Share code with a team | git push / git pull |
| Build on someone else’s project | git fork / git clone |
| Establish team conventions and workflows | GitHub Flow / branch naming conventions |
| Automate CI/CD pipelines | GitHub Actions |
How to Learn
Git can feel difficult at first, but the most effective way to learn it is to type the commands yourself. Try the examples from each page on your own machine.
Start with Basic Git Commands and continue in order from top to bottom.
See the references for the external specifications and background sources used on this page.[1][2]
References
- Git, Reference
- GitHub, GitHub Docs