22  GitHub Setup

GitHub is a web-based platform that facilitates version control and collaborative software development, using Git as its core technology.

22.1 GitHub account

Create a GitHub account:

  1. Go to GitHub’s Join page.
  2. Provide a username, email address (use your university email if you use GitHub for academic purposes), and a password.
  3. Click on Create an account.
  4. Check your email for a verification link from GitHub and click on it to confirm your email address.
  5. Complete your profile setup by following the on-screen instructions.
  6. Optionally, apply for the GitHub Student Developer Pack for access to free resources (like GitHub Copilot)
  7. Enhance your experience by installing the VS Code GitHub extension.

22.2 GitHub Desktop

GitHub Desktop provides a user-friendly graphical interface to manage your GitHub projects without using command-line tools.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Visit GitHub Desktop and download the version for your operating system.
  2. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
  3. After installation, open GitHub Desktop and sign in with your GitHub account credentials.
  4. Follow the introductory guide provided by GitHub Desktop to familiarize yourself with its features and how to connect your local projects to GitHub.
  5. You can now start cloning repositories, committing changes, and pushing updates right from your desktop.