To make your first contribution, install Git, configure the name and email attached to your commits, authenticate to GitHub, then clone a project you can write to—or fork it if you cannot. Make a focused change on a separate branch, push that branch, and open a pull request for review. GitHub Desktop offers a graphical alternative to the command line.
Git and GitHub do different jobs
Git is the version-control system on your computer: it records changes and helps you work on separate lines of development. GitHub hosts Git repositories and provides collaboration features such as issues and pull requests. Installing Git and configuring your commit identity does not sign you in to GitHub; authentication is a separate setup step. See GitHub’s introduction to GitHub accounts.
Choose how you’ll work
Command line or GitHub Desktop
The command line makes Git’s branch, commit, and remote operations explicit. If you prefer buttons and menus, GitHub Desktop supports the basic path of signing in, creating a branch, committing, publishing the branch, and opening a pull request. It is an alternative interface, not a prerequisite. GitHub’s Getting started with Git tutorial introduces both the workflow and Desktop.
HTTPS or SSH authentication
GitHub labels HTTPS its recommended connection method. It can use a credential helper to manage sign-in. SSH is another option, but requires generating a key pair on each computer you use to connect and adding the public key to your GitHub account; organizations using SAML single sign-on may also require authorization for the key. GitHub account passwords are not accepted for Git authentication. Use a credential helper or another supported authentication method instead. Details are in GitHub’s Git setup guide and remote repositories documentation.
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Install Git and configure your commit identity
Install Git using the instructions for your operating system, then open a terminal. Configure the name and email you want recorded on commits:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"Replace the example values with your preferred commit name and an email associated with your GitHub account if you want commits linked to that account. The Git name need not be your GitHub username. These settings identify commits; they do not authenticate you to GitHub.
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Check the project’s rules and your access
Before downloading a project, read its README and any contribution or development setup instructions. Projects may specify how to install dependencies, run tests, format changes, or submit work; those instructions take precedence over a generic workflow. Choose a small, focused task. Documentation fixes and minor improvements can help you learn a codebase. For an issue not labeled “help wanted” or “good first issue,” check with maintainers before starting to confirm the proposed change fits the project. GitHub’s open-source contribution guide explains the process.
Your access determines whether you work from the original repository or your own fork:
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- You do not have write access: fork the project to your GitHub account, clone your fork, and later propose the change to the original repository with a pull request.
A fork is a GitHub-side copy under your account. A clone is a local copy on your computer; they are related but not interchangeable.
Make and submit a focused change with Git
In the examples below, replace the repository address, account name, and branch name with the values for your project. For a project where you have write access, the sequence is:
- Clone the repository. Use the project’s HTTPS or SSH address. For example:
git clone https://github.com/OWNER/REPOSITORY.git. GitHub’s setup documentation also showsgit clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/docsas an HTTPS example. - Enter the project directory and create a branch.
cd REPOSITORY git checkout -b fix-typo-in-install-guideA descriptive branch name helps distinguish your work from the project’s main branch. If your project documents a different branch naming convention, follow it.
- Make the change and inspect it. Edit only what the task requires. Review the project instructions for required tests or checks. Use
git statusto see which files Git recognizes as changed andgit diffto inspect the edits before committing. - Stage and commit the intended files. For example, stage one file and record a concise message:
git add path/to/file git commit -m "Fix installation guide typo"Choose the actual changed file and describe the change accurately.
- Push your branch to GitHub.
git push -u origin fix-typo-in-install-guideThe first push sets the upstream tracking branch; subsequent pushes from that branch can usually use
git push. - Open a pull request. On GitHub, open the repository and use the prompt to compare or create a pull request for your pushed branch. Confirm the base repository and base branch are the intended target, and that the contribution branch is the one containing your change. Describe what changed and link the relevant issue if the project asks for it.
If you do not have write access, fork the project first. Clone your fork’s address in step 1, then push to that fork. When opening the pull request, set the original project as the base repository and its intended branch as the base branch; your fork’s contribution branch is the compare branch. Project instructions may specify another target.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens after you open a pull request?
A pull request is where maintainers review the proposed change and discuss revisions; opening one does not mean it has been accepted or merged. Respond to feedback by updating your branch and pushing the additional commit or commits. Check the project’s instructions and pull-request checks for the next steps. GitHub’s pull request quickstart recommends keeping a first pull request focused and simple.
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