Creating a Repository

Overview

Creating a GitHub repository is one of the first things you need to do after creating a GitHub account. This section is designed to help beginners create and configure a repository.

Before You Begin

Please login to your Github profile. If you do not have a Github account refer to the home page.

Navigating the landing page

Once you log in to GitHub, you will be directed to the landing page. The page may appear different for each individual user but the layout will remain the same.

1. Click on the + icon on the top right of the webpage:

   

2. Confirm a dropdown appeared as the one below:

   

3. Click on "New repository":

   

   Once clicked, you should be redirected to the page seen below. Take a moment to examine the page and once ready we will go over all required fields needed to create a repository.

   

Configuring the repository

1. Scroll down until you see a blank text field with the name "Repository name":

   

2. Enter a name of your repository:

   

3. (Optional) Enter a brief description of the repository:

   

4. Select the visibility:

   • Click "Public" if you would like the repository to be viewable by everyone.

   • Click "Private" if you would like the repository to be viewable by only you and the collaborators you select.

   

   Note

   You can always change the visibility of the repository in the future so don't worry if you're unsure of which option to select.

5. (Optional) Add a "README" file:

   This file is used to provide a detailed overview of your repository.

   For more information on what a "README" file is, click here.

   Tip

   While this step is optional, we highly recommend adding a read.me to every repository as it is considered best practice and serves as a guide for other users.

6. (Optional) Add a ".gitignore." file:

   A git ignore file is a text file that is used to specify files that you do not wish to push to your Github repository. Usually the .gitignore contains sensitive information, for example you may put a private API key that you do not want others to have access to.

   

   For more information on what a .gitignore file is click here.

7. Scroll down to "Choose a license":

   A license is used to help provide guidelines to other users who wish to use your repositories in the future.

   

8. Select a license that corresponds with your goals:

   If you do not know which license to choose, selecting "None" will work.

   For more information on what licenses are and which will be your best fit, please click here.

9. Click "Create repository" at the very bottom of the page:

   

Congratulations, you have created a repository. You should be redirected to the repository page which looks like the image below.

Conclusion and recap

By the end of this section, you will have successfully learned the following:

• How to create a new repository
• How to configure the repository.