Creating a GitHub Account

To get started with GitHub, you'll need to create a free personal account on GitHub.com and verify your email address. Your personal account is your identity on GitHub.com and has a username and profile.

Sign Up Process

Step-by-Step Account Creation

1. Visit GitHub: Go to github.com
2. Click Sign up: Click the "Sign up" button
3. Enter username: Choose a unique username
4. Provide email: Enter your email address
5. Create password: Use a strong password
6. Verify account: Complete the verification puzzle
7. Choose plan: Select free or paid plan
8. Verify email: Check email for verification link

Username Guidelines

• Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens
• Cannot start or end with hyphens
• Must be unique across GitHub
• Choose something professional and memorable

Account Types

Free Personal Account

• Unlimited public repositories
• Unlimited private repositories
• GitHub Actions (2,000 minutes/month)
• GitHub Packages (500MB storage)
• Community support

GitHub Pro ($4/month)

• All free features
• GitHub Actions (3,000 minutes/month)
• GitHub Packages (2GB storage)
• Advanced insights
• Multiple assignees and reviewers

Initial Configuration

Email Settings

# Set primary email
# Add backup emails
# Configure email privacy
# Set notification preferences

Security Setup

# Enable two-factor authentication (recommended)
# Add SSH keys
# Create personal access tokens
# Configure commit signing

Profile Setup

Basic Information

• Profile photo: Upload a clear, professional image
• Name: Your real name or professional handle
• Bio: Brief description of your work or interests
• Location: Your city/country (optional)
• Website: Personal or company website
• Social links: Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

Profile README

Create a special repository with your username to display a README on your profile:

# Hi there 👋

## About Me
- 🔭 I'm currently working on ...
- 🌱 I'm currently learning ...
- 👯 I'm looking to collaborate on ...
- 💬 Ask me about ...
- 📫 How to reach me: ...

Connect Git to GitHub

Configure Git

# Set your name
git config --global user.name "Your Name"

# Set your email
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

# Verify settings
git config --global --list

SSH Key Setup

# Generate SSH key
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@example.com"

# Add to SSH agent
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

# Copy public key to clipboard
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
# Then add to GitHub Settings > SSH Keys

First Repository

Create Your First Repo

1. Click "New" repository button
2. Choose a descriptive name
3. Add a description
4. Select public or private
5. Initialize with README
6. Choose appropriate .gitignore
7. Select a license

Clone and Start Working

# Clone via HTTPS
git clone https://github.com/username/repo.git

# Clone via SSH (after SSH key setup)
git clone git@github.com:username/repo.git

Best Practices

Security

• ✅ Enable two-factor authentication
• ✅ Use strong, unique passwords
• ✅ Keep SSH keys secure
• ✅ Regularly review authorized apps

Profile Optimization

• ✅ Use a professional profile photo
• ✅ Write a clear bio
• ✅ Pin your best repositories
• ✅ Keep profile README updated

Free Resources