GitHub for Non-Coders - Quick Start

A practical guide for non-technical users learning to use GitHub for document collaboration.

Read the full guide here

What This Is

This repository contains a comprehensive guide for using GitHub to collaborate on documents, review content, and contribute changes. Choose your preferred method: web interface, command line, or graphical tools.

Quick Start Paths

Web Interface (No Installation)

1. Get a GitHub account at https://github.com
2. Navigate to the repository and file
3. Click the pencil icon to edit or create issues for comments
4. Submit pull requests directly from the browser

Command Line

# Install Git (see guide for platform-specific instructions)
git clone git@github.com:organization/repository.git
git checkout -b review/my-feedback
# Make edits
git add file.md
git commit -m "Update requirements: clarify authentication"
git push -u origin review/my-feedback

GitHub CLI

# Install gh CLI (see guide for platform-specific instructions)
gh auth login
gh pr create --title "Update security requirements"
gh pr list
gh pr review 123 --approve

GitHub Desktop (GUI)

Download from https://desktop.github.com

• Clone repository via File > Clone
• Create branch, edit files, commit, and create pull request
• Visual diff and easy conflict resolution

Essential Concepts

• Repository: Project folder with complete history
• Branch: Independent line of development
• Commit: Snapshot of changes with message
• Pull Request: Proposal to merge changes with review
• Clone: Local copy of repository

Video Tutorials

Beginner

• Git and GitHub for Beginners (1 hour) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGOj5yH7evk

• Git Tutorial for Beginners (1 hour) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JJ101D3knE

• GitHub Desktop Tutorial (25 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dd7KRpKeaE

Advanced

• Advanced Git Tutorial (40 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsTthZi23VE

• Pull Request Best Practices (15 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lGpZkjnkt4

Documentation

• Full guide: github-for-non-coders.md
• GitHub Docs: https://docs.github.com
• Git Docs: https://git-scm.com/doc
• GitHub CLI Manual: https://cli.github.com/manual

Most Used Commands

git status                    # See what changed
git diff                      # View detailed changes
git checkout -b branch-name   # Create new branch
git add file.md               # Stage changes
git commit -m "message"       # Commit changes
git push                      # Upload to GitHub
gh pr create                  # Create pull request
gh pr list                    # List open PRs
gh pr review <number>         # Review a PR

Key GitHub Shortcuts

Press ? on any GitHub page to see all shortcuts. Most useful:

• t - File finder
• w - Switch branches
• . - Open web editor
• e - Edit file

First Time Setup

# Configure Git identity
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@company.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main

# Setup SSH key (optional but recommended)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@company.com"
# Add key to GitHub: Settings > SSH and GPG keys

Review Best Practices

• Be specific and constructive in comments
• One topic per pull request
• Reference issues with #issue-number
• Keep PRs small and focused
• Use markdown formatting for clarity
• Respond to feedback within 24-48 hours

For complete details, installation instructions, and platform-specific guidance, see the full guide.