How To: Create and Sync a New Repository

Below are step-by-step instructions for both Windows 11 and macOS using Git Bash (Windows) or Terminal (macOS). These instructions assume that you have already created and authenticated your GitHub account.


STEP 1: CREATE A NEW REPOSITORY ON GITHUB

  1. Go to GitHub.com:
    • Log in to your GitHub account.
  2. Create a New Repository:
    • Click on the “+” icon in the top-right corner and select “New repository.”
    • Repository Name: Enter a name for your repository (e.g., my-new-repo).
    • Description (Optional): Add a description.
    • Public or Private: Choose whether the repository should be public or private.
    • Initialize Repository: Do not check the box for “Initialize this repository with a README.”
    • Add .gitignore and License: Leave these options unselected.
  3. Click Create repository.

STEP 2: SET UP A LOCAL REPOSITORY

FOR WINDOWS 11 (USING GIT BASH):

1. Open Git Bash:

Right-click in the Start menu and select “Git Bash” to open the terminal.

2. Navigate to Your Projects Folder:

Run the following command to navigate to the Projects folder:

cd ~/Documents/Projects

3. Create a New Local Repository Folder:

Run the following command to create a new directory for your repository:

mkdir my-new-repo
cd my-new-repo

4. Initialize the Git Repository:

Run the following command to initialize a new Git repository:

git init

FOR MACOS (USING TERMINAL):

1. Open Terminal:

You can open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder, or by searching for it in Spotlight.

2. Navigate to Your Projects Folder:

Run the following command to navigate to the Projects folder:

cd ~/Documents/Projects

3. Create a New Local Repository Folder:

Run the following command to create a new directory for your repository:

mkdir my-new-repo
cd my-new-repo

4. Initialize the Git Repository:

Run the following command to initialize a new Git repository:

git init

STEP 3: LINK THE LOCAL REPOSITORY TO GITHUB

1. Add the Remote URL:

Run the following command to link your local repository to the GitHub repository. Replace username with your GitHub username:

git remote add origin https://github.com/username/my-new-repo.git

2. Verify the Remote URL:

Run the following command to ensure the remote URL is correctly set:

git remote -v

STEP 4: COMMIT AND PUSH INITIAL CHANGES

1. Create a README File:

Run the following command to create a README.md file:

echo "# My New Repo" > README.md

2. Add Files to the Staging Area:

Run the following command to add the README file to the staging area:

git add README.md

3. Commit the Files:

Run the following command to commit the staged files:

git commit -m "Initial commit"

4. Push Changes to GitHub:

Run the following command to push the changes to the GitHub repository:

git push -u origin main

You have now successfully created and synced a new repository on GitHub and locally on your computer.