Introduction
Welcome to a free, 30-minute Git and GitHub crash course that teaches how to create a repository, clone it to your computer, add files, push changes, and view differences between versions — all from the command line. You only need your computer; no special or expensive software is required. We’ll tackle the rest together.
What this 30-minute Git and GitHub crash course covers
This concise course is designed for web developers who want a quick, practical introduction to Git and GitHub. In less than 30 minutes you’ll learn the essential workflow and gain the confidence to use version control in real projects. The core topics include:
- Create your first repository — start a project on GitHub.
- Clone it to your computer — copy the repository locally.
- Add files and make changes — update your project.
- Push your changes to GitHub — sync local work with the remote repository.
Plus, you’ll get a clear overview of Git and GitHub fundamentals so you understand not just how, but why these steps matter.
Step-by-step workflow: repository to GitHub
This course walks you through a linear, practical workflow that mirrors how developers work on live servers. You’ll follow each step from creating the repository to seeing your changes reflected on GitHub. The flow is simple and hands-on:
- Create a repository — set up the project container where files and history will live.
- Clone the repository — copy the remote project onto your computer so you can work locally.
- Add files and stage changes — include new files or updates in your project and prepare them for commit.
- Commit and push — record your changes locally and send them to GitHub so they are stored remotely and visible to others.
- See differences — learn how to compare old and new files to track exactly what changed.
Everything is taught using the command line — the same environment you’ll use when deploying code to a server. This keeps the process realistic and prepares you for real-world development workflows.
Understand Git and GitHub fundamentals and terminology
Alongside the hands-on workflow, the course explains core concepts and the language developers use. You’ll learn the fundamentals of version control and how Git fits into modern web development. Key terms covered include:
- Cloning — copying a repository to your computer.
- Staging — preparing changes to be committed.
- Committing — recording a snapshot of your project history.
- Pushing — sending commits to the remote repository on GitHub.
- Diff — viewing differences between old and new files to see exactly what changed.
The course also explains why Git is so popular and how it provides powerful versioning capabilities. You’ll learn that GitHub is the Git-service brand name used to host and collaborate on repositories.
Who this course is for and about the instructor
This crash course is perfect for web developers who aren’t sure how to use Git or GitHub, or developers who have heard about these tools but don’t know where to start. It’s an ideal first step before investing in longer courses.
About the instructor — Kalob Taulien is a web developer and coding instructor who has been building websites and working with startups since 1999. He has taught over 450,000 students on Udemy alone and has helped hundreds of thousands of people learn web development. Kalob is known for turning complex programming concepts into easy-to-understand lessons and is passionate about teaching. His experience and practical approach guide this course’s clear, hands-on structure.
Conclusion
In under 30 minutes you’ll create a repository, clone it, add files, push changes, and view diffs — all using only your computer and the command line. This course gives you practical Git and GitHub fundamentals, key terminology, and a realistic workflow so you can move confidently into real-world development. Start here to get your feet wet before deeper learning.
