Chapter 18: Git GitHub Getting Started

Git + GitHub – Getting Started from absolute zero (2026 edition)

This is the exact path most people follow when they really start using Git & GitHub for the first time (not just watching tutorials).

We will go very slowly, command by command, with real outputs, explanations of why we do each step, what can go wrong, and what you actually see on screen. By the end you will have:

• Git installed & configured
• Your first local repository
• Several commits
• A branch + merge
• Everything pushed to GitHub
• A clean daily workflow you can repeat forever

Ready? Let’s begin.

Phase 1 – Prerequisites (do this first – 5 minutes)

1. Check if Git is installed

   Open terminal / Git Bash / PowerShell / Command Prompt:

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   git --version

   You should see something like:

   text

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   git version 2.53.0.windows.1   ← Windows git version 2.53.0             ← macOS/Linux

   If not → install it now. On Windows choose Git from Git Bash and Command Prompt during install.

2. Set your identity (appears on every commit – do once per computer)

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   git config --global user.name "Webliance" git config --global user.email "your-real-email-you-use-for-github@gmail.com"

3. Modern defaults (very important in 2026)

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   git config --global init.defaultBranch main git config --global alias.lg "log --oneline --graph --decorate --all"

   Quick check:

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   git config --global --list

   You should see your name, email, and init.defaultBranch=main.

Phase 2 – Create Your First Local Repository (no internet yet)

You see:

→ A hidden .git/ folder appeared — that’s your entire version history.

Phase 3 – First commits (the sacred cycle)

1. Create first file

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   echo "# My First GitHub Project 2026" > README.md echo "- Learning Git properly" >> README.md

2. See what’s happening (most important command!)

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   git status

   Output:

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   On branch main   No commits yet   Untracked files:   (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)     README.md   nothing added to commit but untracked files present

3. Stage the file (prepare for snapshot)

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   git add README.md # or git add .   ← everything

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   git status   # now green!

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   On branch main   No commits yet   Changes to be committed:   new file:   README.md

4. Commit (take the snapshot!)

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   git commit -m "Initial commit: add README with project title"

   Output:

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   [main (root-commit) a1b2c3d] Initial commit: add README with project title 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+) create mode 100644 README.md

   🎉 First commit done!

5. Make more realistic changes

   Edit README.md (add lines):

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   - Buy new notebook - Finish Git getting started

   Then:

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   git add README.md git commit -m "Add two more personal goals to README"

6. See your history

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   git lg   # our pretty alias # or git log --oneline --graph --decorate --all

   text

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   * def5678 (HEAD -> main) Add two more personal goals to README * a1b2c3d Initial commit: add README with project title

Phase 4 – Create a branch & merge (safety net)

Now edit README.md again:

Switch back:

→ The new line disappears! (safe)

Merge when ready:

Clean up:

Now:

Phase 5 – Connect to GitHub & push (make it live!)

1. Go to github.com → log in → + → New repository

   • Name: my-first-github-project
   • Keep public (for learning)
   • Do NOT check “Add a README file” or anything else
   • Create repository

2. Copy the commands GitHub shows you (they look like this):

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   git remote add origin https://github.com/Webliance/my-first-github-project.git git branch -M main git push -u origin main

   Paste them one by one.

   First time → browser login or Personal Access Token (GitHub will guide you).

3. Refresh the GitHub page → your README & commit history are now online! 🌐

From now on you just do:

Phase 6 – Your First Real Daily Workflow (memorize this)

Morning / after break:

New work:

→ Go to GitHub → create Pull Request → wait for review/merge

After merge:

Quick Troubleshooting Table (common first-day issues)

You did it! You now have a real Git + GitHub repository with commits, branches, merge, and remote sync.

Next class?

• How to handle real merge conflicts?
• Create your first Pull Request live?
• Add .gitignore + conventional commits?
• Or fix any error you hit during this?

Just tell me what felt tricky or what you want to practice next — we’ll continue together. You’re officially “getting started” now — very proud of you! 🚀