🔀

Version Control & GitHub

Save your work, undo mistakes, and collaborate — git and GitHub from absolute zero.

60 min

total

lessons

free

always

Every builder needs version control. This course takes you from 'what is git?' to pushing your first project to GitHub — with hands-on practice at every step. You'll learn to save snapshots of your work, undo mistakes, create branches for experiments, and share your projects with the world. No coding background needed — we practice with real files and real commands.

who it's for: Absolute beginners. Anyone who has ever lost work, overwritten a file, or wanted to collaborate on a project.

what you leave with: A GitHub account with your first repository, confidence with git add/commit/push, and a cheat sheet of the 10 commands you'll use every day.

lessons

Why Version Control Matters

8 min

Ever accidentally deleted a file? Saved over something important? Version control is 'save points' for your entire project. Every change is saved, every mistake is reversible.

activity

Create a folder with 3 files. Make changes. Realize you can't undo them. That's the problem we're solving.

Install Git & Set Up GitHub

10 min

Install git on your computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux). Create a free GitHub account. Connect them so your computer can talk to GitHub.

activity

Run 'git --version' in your terminal. Create your GitHub account. Set your name and email with git config.

Your First Repository

12 min

A repository is just a folder that git is watching. We'll create one, add files, and make our first 'save point' (commit).

activity

Run git init, create a file, git add it, git commit. You just saved your first snapshot. Check it with git log.

The Add-Commit-Push Rhythm

12 min

Three commands you'll use a thousand times: add (pick what to save), commit (save it with a note), push (send it to GitHub). Practice the rhythm until it's second nature.

activity

Make 5 changes to your files. Practice add, commit, push for each one. Check your GitHub page — your code is online.

Branches: Safe Experiments

10 min

Want to try something risky without breaking your working project? Make a branch. It's a parallel universe for your code. If it works, merge it back. If not, delete it.

activity

Create a branch called 'experiment'. Make wild changes. Switch back to main — everything is untouched. Merge your experiment in.

Your Git Cheat Sheet & Next Steps

8 min

The 10 commands that cover 95% of everything you'll ever do with git. Plus: how to undo mistakes, read error messages, and what to learn next.

activity

Download the cheat sheet. Practice the 'oops' commands: git restore, git reset, git stash. You're ready.

bonus: your starter prompt

paste this into ChatGPT or Claude and fill in the blanks.

You are a patient git teacher. I'm brand new to version control. Walk me through [WHAT — creating a repo / making my first commit / pushing to GitHub / creating a branch / fixing a merge conflict]. Use simple language. Show me the exact commands to type. Explain what each command does in plain English. If I make a mistake, show me how to undo it.

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lessons

Why Version Control Matters

8 min

Ever accidentally deleted a file? Saved over something important? Version control is 'save points' for your entire project. Every change is saved, every mistake is reversible.

activity

Create a folder with 3 files. Make changes. Realize you can't undo them. That's the problem we're solving.

Install Git & Set Up GitHub

10 min

Install git on your computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux). Create a free GitHub account. Connect them so your computer can talk to GitHub.

activity

Run 'git --version' in your terminal. Create your GitHub account. Set your name and email with git config.

Your First Repository

12 min

A repository is just a folder that git is watching. We'll create one, add files, and make our first 'save point' (commit).

activity

Run git init, create a file, git add it, git commit. You just saved your first snapshot. Check it with git log.

The Add-Commit-Push Rhythm

12 min

Three commands you'll use a thousand times: add (pick what to save), commit (save it with a note), push (send it to GitHub). Practice the rhythm until it's second nature.

activity

Make 5 changes to your files. Practice add, commit, push for each one. Check your GitHub page — your code is online.

Branches: Safe Experiments

10 min

Want to try something risky without breaking your working project? Make a branch. It's a parallel universe for your code. If it works, merge it back. If not, delete it.

activity

Create a branch called 'experiment'. Make wild changes. Switch back to main — everything is untouched. Merge your experiment in.

Your Git Cheat Sheet & Next Steps

8 min

The 10 commands that cover 95% of everything you'll ever do with git. Plus: how to undo mistakes, read error messages, and what to learn next.

activity

Download the cheat sheet. Practice the 'oops' commands: git restore, git reset, git stash. You're ready.

bonus: your starter prompt

paste this into ChatGPT or Claude and fill in the blanks.

You are a patient git teacher. I'm brand new to version control. Walk me through [WHAT — creating a repo / making my first commit / pushing to GitHub / creating a branch / fixing a merge conflict]. Use simple language. Show me the exact commands to type. Explain what each command does in plain English. If I make a mistake, show me how to undo it.

made with ❤️ by the GAINS community. free forever.

get the printable cheat sheet →