Getting Started with Git and GitHub: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
If you're a technical writer (or aspiring to be one), learning Git and GitHub might sound like something just for developers, but it's actually a game-changer for anyone working with content.
Whether you're writing tutorials, documentation, or blog posts, these tools help you track your work, collaborate with others, and present your portfolio professionally online.
In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll walk you through what Git and GitHub are, and show you how to set them up and start using them, no coding experience needed!
Git vs GitHub - What’s the Difference?
Let’s clear up the confusion:
Git is a version control tool that helps you keep track of changes to your files, so you can go back to previous versions, collaborate with others, and keep your work organized. Think of it like a time machine for your work, you can jump back to earlier versions whenever you need to.
GitHub is a website that works with Git, where you can store your projects online, share them with others, and collaborate in real time.
In simple terms:
Git runs on your computer.
GitHub lives in the cloud.
Why Technical Writers Should Learn Git and GitHub
Even if you’re not writing code, Git and GitHub help you:
Track edits and updates to your documents.
Work smoothly with developers and other writers.
Contribute to open-source projects.
Organize and publish Markdown files professionally.
Also, knowing these tools makes you look serious and skilled. It's a great confidence booster.
🚀 Step-by-Step: Setting Up Git and GitHub
1️⃣ Create a GitHub Account
Head over to https://github.com and sign up.
Pick a username you like. Note that it’ll show up in your portfolio links
Confirm your email and fill out your profile
That’s your first step into the GitHub world! 🎉
2️⃣ Install Git
On Windows:
Click the Windows download link.
Run the installer. Leave the default settings as they are.
When prompted, select:
✅ “Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software”Finish installation.
Now open Git Bash from the Start menu and run:
git --version
If you see the version number, that means it’s working!
On Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):
Open your terminal and run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git
Then check the version:
git --version
Done! 🎉
3️⃣ Set Up Your Git Identity
Let Git know who you are (this info will show up in your commit history):
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
Check your settings with:
git config --list
4️⃣ Create Your First GitHub Repository
Log in at https://github.com
Click the + icon (top right) → New repository
Give it a name like
tech-writing-portfolio(Optional) Add a short description
✅ Check "Initialize this repository with a README"
Click Create repository
You just created your first online project folder! 🙌
5️⃣ Clone the Repo to Your Computer
Now, let’s bring that repo into your local machine.
On your repo page, click the green Code button and copy the HTTPS link.
In your terminal or Git Bash, run:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/tech-writing-portfolio.git
- Go into the folder:
cd tech-writing-portfolio
6️⃣ Add Your First Markdown Article
You can create a new Markdown file like this:
touch getting-started.md
Or just open your folder in a text editor like VS Code, Notepad++, or even plain Notepad.
Paste your content, save the file, and you're ready to commit!
7️⃣ Commit and Push Your Changes
This is how Git works:
➡️ Add the file
➡️ Commit your changes with a message
➡️ Push to upload it to GitHub
Run:
git add getting-started.md
git commit -m "Add first article: Getting Started with Git and GitHub"
git push origin main
✨ Boom! Your article is now live on your GitHub repo.
Common Git Terms (Made Easy)
git add- tells Git which file(s) you want to trackgit commit- saves your work with a messagegit push- uploads your changes to GitHubgit pull- gets the latest changes from GitHubrepo- short for repository; it’s your project folder
Git and GitHub can seem intimidating at first, but once you try them a few times, it becomes second nature. You can begin with your next article and keep practicing. Before long, you’ll be managing your portfolio like a pro. 🚀
