How do I handle version control in GitHub?

Asked 5 months ago
Version control in GitHub involves managing changes to your code and collaborating with others effectively. GitHub uses Git as its underlying version control system, which allows you to track changes to files over time and work with different team members seamlessly on the same project. To handle version control effectively, you should first create a repository to host your project. A repository is essentially a folder where all your project files and their version history will be stored. Once you have established your repository, you can initialize it with your project's existing code or start from scratch. After your repository is set up, you will want to make regular commits. A commit is like a snapshot of your project at a particular point in time. When you make changes to your files, you need to stage those changes and commit them with a descriptive message indicating what was changed. This process creates a timeline of your project, making it easy to revert to previous versions if needed. You will also want to learn how to create branches. Branching allows you to diverge from the main line of development, enabling you to work on different features or fixes without affecting the main codebase. After completing the work on your branch, you can merge it back into the main branch using a pull request. This process also allows other team members to review your changes before they are integrated. It is important to regularly synchronize your local repository with the remote one on GitHub. You can do this using the pull and push commands to fetch and send changes. For further details or specific processes, it is beneficial to refer to the GitHub documentation available on their official website.
Christian Allen is the editor / author responsible for this content.
Answered Jul 16, 2025

Need further help?

Type out your followup or related question and we will get you an answer right away.

Need to contact GitHub?

If you need to talk to GitHub customer service, now that you have the answers that you needed, click the button below.
Contact GitHub

GitHub

Find a list of many popular GitHub questions with answers or step by step guides on our FAQ page below. Or ask a whole new question and get an answer right away.
GitHub Customer Service FAQAsk a Question
Was this page helpful?YesNeeds work
Sharing is what powers GetHuman's free customer service contact information and tools. You can help!