Module 08 of 10 · remote · push · pull

Introduction to GitHub

From here on, modules include walkthroughs that require a real GitHub account. Create a free account at github.com if you don't have one. The simulator still lets you practice the commands.

What is a Remote?

So far your git history lives only on your computer. A remote is a copy of your repository hosted elsewhere — typically GitHub. It serves as:

Step 1: Create a Repo on GitHub

  1. 1
    Go to github.com and click the + icon → New repository
  2. 2
    Give it a name, leave it Public, and do not initialise with a README (you'll push your existing code)
  3. 3
    Click Create repository — GitHub shows you the commands to run next

Step 2: Connect Your Local Repo

Link your local repo to GitHub with git remote add:

git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git

Verify it worked:

git remote -v

Step 3: Push Your Code

git push -u origin main

The -u flag sets the upstream tracking, so future pushes can just be git push.

Pulling Changes

If someone else (or you on another computer) has pushed new commits, get them with:

git pull

This is shorthand for git fetch (download) + git merge (integrate).

Local Repo
→ push →
GitHub
← pull ←
Local Repo
Authentication: GitHub no longer accepts passwords. Use a Personal Access Token (PAT) or SSH key. In GitHub → Settings → Developer settings → Personal access tokens → Generate new token. Paste it as your password when git prompts you.

Simulator Challenges

○ Add a remote: git remote add origin https://github.com/user/repo.git
○ Verify it: git remote -v
○ Push to GitHub (simulated): git push origin main
Module 8 complete! You know how to connect a local repo to GitHub and push your code to the world.
← Module 7 Next: Cloning & Forking →
student@git-mastery: ~/my-project (main)