Get started with GitHub in under an hour — no experience needed!
GitHub is where people build some of the most advanced technologies in the world — from data visualization dashboards to video games. Whether you're just starting out or exploring open source, there's a community and a set of tools here to help you succeed.
This exercise, "Introduction to GitHub," walks you through the basics and gets you ready to collaborate — in less than an hour.
- ✅ What GitHub is and why developers use it
- ✅ How to work with repositories, branches, commits, and pull requests
- ✅ How to build and share your own Markdown file (ideal for your profile README)
- 🚀 New developers
- 🧑🎓 Students
- 🆕 Anyone new to Git or GitHub
No prerequisites! Just curiosity and a GitHub account.
By the end of this exercise, you will:
- Create a new branch
- Make a commit
- Open a pull request
- Merge your pull request
All of this happens in a guided, interactive format. No setup required.
Follow these quick steps:
Right-click the button below and open the link in a new tab:
In the new tab:
- Choose your personal account or organization as the owner.
- Set the visibility to public (recommended).
- Scroll down and click Create repository.
Once the repository is created, GitHub will automatically prepare the exercise.
- Wait ~20 seconds.
- The Copy Exercise button will turn gray.
- The Start Exercise button will activate (turn green).
- Refresh the page if needed.
Click the green button to begin:
Follow the step-by-step instructions. GitHub will provide feedback as you go.
⚠️ Note: The Start Exercise button appears after the repository is copied. If you don’t see it, refresh the page.
Once you’ve completed this, you’ll know the core workflow of GitHub — a powerful skill that applies to nearly every modern development project.
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