Lesson 2: Initializing a Local Git Repository

This lesson covers how to create a local Git repository, track files, and push changes to GitHub.

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Step 1: Creating a New Local Repository

1. Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to create a new project:

   cd ~/projects  # Change to your preferred location
   mkdir my-first-repo  # Create a new directory
   cd my-first-repo  # Enter the directory

2. Initialize an empty Git repository:

   git init

   • This sets up a .git/ folder, which tracks changes inside this directory.
   • You will see the message:

     Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/my-first-repo/.git/

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Step 2: Adding and Committing Files Locally

1. Create a file inside the repository:

   echo "My first Git-tracked file" > file.txt

2. Check the repository status:

   git status

   • This will show file.txt as untracked.

3. Add the file to Git's tracking system:

   git add file.txt

4. Commit the file with a descriptive message:

   git commit -m "Initial commit: Added file.txt"

   • This saves the change history locally, but it is not yet uploaded to GitHub.

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Step 3: Connecting to a GitHub Repository

To push your local repository to GitHub:

1. Go to GitHub and create a new repository (without initializing a README).
2. Copy the repository URL (e.g., https://github.com/your-username/my-first-repo.git).
3. Link the local repository to GitHub:

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

4. Push the local repository to GitHub:

   git push -u origin main

   • This uploads all committed changes to GitHub.
   • The -u flag sets origin main as the default push destination.

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