GitHub Desktop: Installation and First Steps 🖥️

GitHub Desktop is a graphical client for working with Git. Instead of terminal commands, you work through a convenient interface with buttons and menus.

Why Use GitHub Desktop?

Advantages:

✅ No need to memorize Git commands
✅ Visual interface for commits and branches
✅ Built-in conflict editor
✅ Works on Windows and Mac
✅ Free and open source

When to use it:
- You’re new to Git
- You prefer a GUI over the terminal
- You work with GitHub repositories
- You need a fast workflow for simple tasks

Step 1: Download

Windows and macOS

1. Open in your browser: https://desktop.github.com
2. Click Download for Windows or Download for macOS
3. Wait for the download (usually 100-150 MB)

Linux

GitHub Desktop doesn’t officially support Linux, but there’s a community version!

Install via Snap:

sudo snap install github-desktop --classic

Or download from GitHub:
https://github.com/shiftkey/desktop

Step 2: Install

Windows

1. Open the downloaded GitHubDesktopSetup.exe
2. The program will install automatically
3. GitHub Desktop will launch

macOS

1. Open the downloaded GitHubDesktop.zip
2. Drag GitHub Desktop.app into the Applications folder
3. Launch from Launchpad or Spotlight

Linux (Snap)

After the snap install command the app is ready:

# Launch
github-desktop

Step 3: First Launch and Authorization

On first launch GitHub Desktop will ask you to:

3.1 Sign in to GitHub

1. Click Sign in to GitHub.com
2. A browser will open
3. Allow GitHub Desktop access to your account
4. Return to the app

No account? Create one at github.com/signup

3.2 Configure Git

GitHub Desktop will ask you to set your name and email for commits:

Name: John Smith
Email: john@example.com

Important:
- Name can be anything
- Email should match the one on GitHub

Step 4: Exploring the Interface

Main window

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Current Repository ▼  Branch ▼      │ ← Top panel
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Changes (3)  │  History            │ ← Tabs
├──────────────┼──────────────────────┤
│ ✓ file1.py   │  Apr 10 - Add tests │
│ ✓ file2.js   │  Apr 9 - Fix bug    │
│ ✓ README.md  │  Apr 8 - Init       │
│              │                      │
│ Commit to main                     │ ← Commit button
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Main elements

1. Current Repository
- Shows the active repository
- Click to open the list of all repositories

2. Current Branch
- Shows the current branch
- Click to switch to another branch

3. Changes
- List of modified files
- Select what to commit here

4. History
- List of all commits
- See what was changed

5. Summary and Description
- Fields for the commit message
- Summary — short description
- Description — details (optional)

Step 5: Creating Your First Repository

Option 1: New repository

1. File → New Repository
2. Fill in the fields:
   - Name: my-first-repo
   - Description: My first repository
   - Local Path: where to save
   - ✅ Initialize with README
3. Click Create Repository

Option 2: Clone an existing one

1. File → Clone Repository
2. Choose a repository from the list (your repos on GitHub)
3. Or paste a URL
4. Choose a folder
5. Click Clone

Option 3: Add a local project

1. File → Add Local Repository
2. Select the project folder
3. If it’s not a Git repository, it will offer to initialize one

Step 6: First Commit

Let’s try making a change:

1. Open the repository folder in your file explorer
2. Create a file test.txt with the text “Hello GitHub Desktop”
3. Return to GitHub Desktop

You’ll see:
- test.txt appears in the Changes panel on the left
- A checkbox next to the file (it will be included in the commit)
- On the right — the contents of the change

Make the commit:

1. In the Summary field type: Add test.txt
2. (Optional) In Description: My first commit
3. Click Commit to main

🎉 Congratulations! You made your first commit!

Step 7: Publish to GitHub

To make your repository appear on GitHub:

1. Click Publish repository (top right)
2. Check the settings:
   - Name: leave as is
   - Description: optional
   - Keep this code private: uncheck for a public repository
3. Click Publish Repository

In a few seconds your code will be on GitHub!

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows:
- Ctrl+1 — show Changes
- Ctrl+2 — show History
- Ctrl+Enter — make a commit
- Ctrl+P — Push to origin
- Ctrl+Shift+P — Pull from origin

macOS:
- Cmd+1 — show Changes
- Cmd+2 — show History
- Cmd+Enter — make a commit
- Cmd+P — Push to origin
- Cmd+Shift+P — Pull from origin

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Do I need to install Git separately?

No! GitHub Desktop includes Git inside.

❓ Can I use it with GitLab/Bitbucket?

Yes! GitHub Desktop works with any Git repositories, not just GitHub.

❓ How do I update GitHub Desktop?

The app updates automatically. If it doesn’t:
- Help → Check for Updates

❓ Where are repositories stored?

By default:
- Windows: C:\Users\NAME\Documents\GitHub\
- macOS: /Users/NAME/Documents/GitHub/
- Linux: ~/Documents/GitHub/

What’s Next?

Now you’re ready to:

• ✅ Make commits
• ✅ Create branches
• ✅ Publish code to GitHub
• ✅ Clone repositories

Check out our Git & GitHub Desktop course for hands-on practice! 🚀