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How to Download and Install an App from GitHub

Use a GitHub release asset to install an app, or download a ZIP for source files. Here’s how to tell the difference and choose the right option.

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To install an app hosted on GitHub, open its repository, go to Releases, and download the asset made for your operating system. If you want the project files instead, choose Code → Download ZIP on the repository page. That ZIP is a source snapshot, not necessarily an installable app.

Choose the right kind of download

Your goal What to download What you get
Install or run the app A compatible file under the project’s Releases page, if one is provided A project-supplied installer, binary, or other release asset. Follow the project’s installation instructions.
Inspect or use the project files Code → Download ZIP A snapshot of the selected branch, tag, or commit; it does not include the full Git history.
Keep a local Git repository Clone the repository, for example with GitHub Desktop A local repository for Git version-control work, rather than just a ZIP of files.

A project may not publish an installable asset for your operating system. Check the asset names and the project’s instructions instead of assuming that every repository contains an app ready to install.

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How to download an app you can install

  1. Open the project’s repository on GitHub.

  2. Open Releases and select the release version you want.

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  3. Under Assets, choose the file intended for your operating system. Release assets can include installers, binaries, or executables; what is available depends on the project. See GitHub’s explanation of releases.

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  4. Use the project’s installation instructions for that file. Do not treat an asset named Source code (zip) or Source code (tar.gz) as an installer; those are source archives.

How to download the project files as a ZIP

  1. Open the repository’s main page.

  2. Above the file list, click Code.

  3. Click Download ZIP. GitHub creates an archive of a branch, tag, or specific commit, without the repository’s full history. See GitHub’s instructions for downloading source archives.

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This option is useful for getting a copy of the files, but it may not be enough to run the software. A project may require a build process or additional instructions; check its documentation.

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Download versus clone

A ZIP is a convenient snapshot. Cloning creates a local Git repository, which is the better fit if you need repository history or plan to work with version control and keep using the project. GitHub Desktop provides a graphical way to clone a repository; it is separate from downloading a ZIP. GitHub’s GitHub Desktop overview describes the app and its cloning workflow.

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How to get a consistent source snapshot

Branch and tag references can move, so downloading an archive from the same branch or tag later may produce different files. For repeatable extracted contents, use an archive tied to a commit ID through GitHub’s repository archive REST API. GitHub says the archive’s file contents remain the same on subsequent requests while the commit remains in the repository and its name has not changed. The compressed archive itself can still differ in byte layout.

Download safely

GitHub recommends using releases rather than source downloads when archive stability matters for security—for example, to avoid attempting to unzip a maliciously crafted file. This recommendation concerns archive stability; it does not certify that every release asset is safe. Choose the intended project and operating-system file, and follow the project’s own installation guidance. Read GitHub’s guidance on source archive stability for the qualification.

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Using GitHub Desktop instead

GitHub Desktop can clone a repository to your computer. GitHub’s installation documentation lists macOS 12.0 or later and Windows 10 64-bit or later as supported, and says Linux is not yet supported. Requirements can change, so check the current installation instructions before downloading. The official GitHub Desktop download page provides the app.

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