Git is a powerful tool for managing version control in software development projects. However, it is difficult to understand for new Git users and developers or those who are not familiar with the command line interface. For that purpose, the GitHub Desktop application has been launched that provides a user-friendly interface for managing Git repositories and simplifies common Git workflows.
This post will state the method for using Git on Windows with GitHub Desktop.
How to Use Git on Windows Made Easy With GitHub Desktop?
To use Git on Windows made easy with GitHub Desktop, try out the given instructions:
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- Open the GitHub Desktop application.
- Make a new repository or clone an existing repository.
- Make new branches on GitHub Desktop.
- Publish the repository on GitHub.
- Verify the published repository by clicking on “View on GitHub”.
- Generate new files on GitHub and commit changes.
- Navigate back to GitHub Desktop and make a “pull” request to retrieve all changes in GitHub Desktop.
Step 1: Launch the GitHub Desktop Application
First, launch the “GitHub Desktop” with the help of the “Startup” menu:
Step 2: Create or Clone a Repository
Now, create a new repository by inserting the required information listed below:
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- Specify a name for the repository.
- Insert a short description if needed.
- Mark the captcha box and initialize a “README” file.
- Lastly, hit the “Create repository” button to move ahead:
The below-provided output indicates that a new local repository named “perk-demo” has been created successfully:
Furthermore, users can also clone an existing repository to add to the GitHub Desktop. For that purpose, hit on “Clone a repository” and select a repository according to your preference:
Step 3: Create New Branch
Next, on the GitHub Desktop main page, click on the drop-down menu available with the current branch name. Then, hit on the “New branch” button to make a branch with a specific name:
As a result, a small window will appear on the screen. Specify a name for the newly created branch and click on the “Create branch” button:
Step 4: Publish the Repository on GitHub
After creating the branch, publish this repository on GitHub by hitting the below-highlighted area:
It can be noticed that a small window has appeared on the screen. Mark the box to keep this repository private and tap on the “Publish repository” button to make it available remotely:
Step 5: View Repository on GitHub
For verification, view the created repository on GitHub. To do so, click on the “View on GitHub” option. It will take you to the “GitHub” account on the web browser:
Step 6: Create New File
In the given-below image, it can be seen that the repository has been published on GitHub. Furthermore, users can also add a new file to this repository. For instance, click on the “Add File” option to generate a new file:
Step 7: Commit Changes
Specify a name for the newly created file and add an extension to determine which type of file has been created. Next, click on the “Commit changes…” button to commit all the changes:
A commit message is automatically added to the generated file. Insert a short description in the text area and click on the below highlighted “Commit changes” button:
The resultant image shows that the file has been generated successfully:
Step 8: Pull Changes on GitHub Desktop
Navigate back to the GitHub Desktop, open the “Repository”, and hit the “Pull” option to pull all the changes made on GitHub:
Step 9: Verification
Open the “History” to verify whether the changes have been pulled or not on the GitHub Desktop. You can see that all the changes have been added to the GitHub Desktop by using the pull request:
That’s all about using Git on Windows made easy with GitHub Desktop.
Conclusion
To use Git on Windows with GitHub Desktop, first, open the GitHub Desktop application. Then, make a new directory or clone an existing repository. Next, make new branches on GitHub Desktop. After that, publish the repository on GitHub and verify the published repository by clicking on “View on GitHub”. Next, generate new files on GitHub and commit changes. Lastly, navigate back to GitHub Desktop and make a “pull” request to retrieve all changes in GitHub Desktop. This post has stated about using Git on Windows with GitHub Desktop.
