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Creating GitHub Repositories

Last Updated: January 3, 2026

6 min read

Creating a GitHub repository is one of the first steps in leveraging GitHub's powerful collaboration and version control features. Whether you are starting a new project or sharing an existing one, understanding how to create and manage repositories is essential.

Let’s dive into the process, look at some best practices, and explore the options available to make your repository stand out.

Types of Repositories

Before creating a repository, it's important to understand the two primary types of repositories you can create:

  • Public Repositories: These are visible to everyone on the internet. Anyone can view, clone, and contribute to your repository. Public repositories are ideal for open-source projects where collaboration is encouraged.
  • Private Repositories: These are only accessible to you and the collaborators you invite. Private repositories are suited for proprietary projects or any work that you want to keep confidential.

Choosing the right type of repository is crucial as it affects how you manage contributions, access control, and visibility of your project.

Creating a Repository via GitHub UI

Creating a repository through the GitHub user interface is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Log in to GitHub: Head to GitHub and log in to your account.
  2. Access the Repositories Tab: Click on the "Repositories" tab on your profile page or navigate directly to the New Repository page.
  3. Fill in Repository Details:
    1. Repository Name: Choose a concise and descriptive name. For example, weather-app.
    2. Description: Provide a brief description of what your project does. This helps others understand the purpose of the repository.
    3. Visibility: Select either "Public" or "Private" based on your requirements.
  4. Initialize with a README: Check this box to create a README file, which is a good practice as it introduces your project.
  5. Add a .gitignore (Optional): If your project has specific files or directories you want Git to ignore (like build files), you can choose a template for .gitignore. This is particularly useful for programming languages or frameworks.
  6. Choose a License (Optional): If you want to specify how others can use your project, select an appropriate license. For open-source projects, licenses like MIT or Apache 2.0 are commonly used.
  7. Create Repository: Click the "Create repository" button to finalize the process.

Your new repository is now live, and you can start pushing code to it.

Creating a Repository via Git Command Line

In addition to the UI, you can create a repository directly from the command line using Git. This approach is particularly useful for developers who prefer working in a terminal environment.

  • Open Terminal: Launch your terminal or command prompt.
  • Navigate to Your Project Directory: Change to the directory where your project is located, or create a new directory for your project.
  • Initialize Git: Run the following command to create a new Git repository.
  • Create a README File: Having a README is a good practice. You can create one using:
  • Stage and Commit Your Changes:
  • Create the Remote Repository on GitHub: Go to GitHub, and create a new repository as described in the previous section, but do not initialize it with a README, or it will create a conflict.
  • Link Your Local Repository with GitHub:
  • Push Your Changes:

Your local repository is now connected to GitHub, and your files are pushed online.

Managing Repository Settings

Once your repository is created, there are several settings you can configure to optimize your project.

Branch Settings

  • Default Branch: The default branch is usually master or main. You can change this in the repository settings under "Branches". This is particularly important for workflows that rely on specific branch names.

Collaborators

If you want others to contribute to your private repository, you can add collaborators:

  1. Go to your repository settings.
  2. Click on "Manage access" and then "Invite teams or people".
  3. Enter their GitHub usernames and set their permission levels (Read, Write, or Admin).

Repository Features

GitHub offers various features to enhance collaboration:

  • Issues: To track tasks and bugs.
  • Projects: To manage workflows.
  • Wiki: For documentation.

Enabling these features can significantly improve your project management.

Best Practices for Repository Creation

Creating a repository is just the start. Here are some best practices to ensure your repository is effective and user-friendly.

  • Use Descriptive Names: The name of your repository should clearly reflect its purpose. Avoid vague or generic names.
  • Write a Comprehensive README: A good README should include:
    • Project description
    • Installation instructions
    • Usage examples
    • License information
  • Add a License: Clearly specify how others can use your code. This protects your work and helps others understand their rights.
  • Organize Your Code: Maintain a clear directory structure. For example:
  • Keep Your Commit History Clean: Use meaningful commit messages and avoid committing large, unrelated changes at once. This makes it easier for others (and yourself) to understand the history of your project.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even seasoned developers encounter issues when creating or managing repositories. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Conflict in Initialization

If you initialize a repository with a README locally and then try to create a remote repository with the same, you’ll encounter a conflict. To avoid this, either:

  • Do not initialize a README in the remote repository if you're doing it locally.
  • Or pull the remote changes before pushing.

Remote URL Issues

If you are pushing to the wrong remote URL, verify it with:

If needed, change it using:

Forgotten .gitignore

It’s easy to forget to include a .gitignore file. You can always add it later, but it won’t retroactively ignore files already tracked by Git. To remove them from tracking:

Now that you understand how to create and manage GitHub repositories, you are ready to explore SSH setup for secure connections.

In the next chapter, we will look at configuring SSH keys to enhance your GitHub experience and ensure secure operations.