
Learn how to leverage Visual Studio Code's integrated Git features to seamlessly publish and manage your projects on GitHub, streamlining your development workflow.
Prerequisites
- Git Installation: Ensure Git is installed on your system. Download Git here.
- GitHub Account: You'll need a GitHub account to publish your repositories. Sign up for GitHub if you don't have an account yet.
- VS Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code.
Step 1: Create a New Repository on GitHub
First, let's create a repository on GitHub where your code will be stored:
- Log in to your GitHub account
- Click the "+" icon in the top-right corner, then select "New repository"
- Enter a repository name and optional description
- Choose public or private visibility
- Optionally select "Add a README file", "Add .gitignore", or "Choose a license"
- Click "Create repository"
For detailed instructions with screenshots, check out the GitHub documentation on creating repositories.
Step 2: Clone the Repository in VS Code
Now, let's get the repository on your local machine:
- Open VS Code
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+P
(Windows/Linux) orCmd+Shift+P
(Mac) to open the Command Palette - Type "Git: Clone" and select it
- Paste the URL of your GitHub repository (from the green "Code" button on GitHub)
- Select a local folder to store the repository
- When prompted, open the cloned repository
Alternative: You can also clone using the terminal:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/your-repository.git
Step 3: Make Changes to Your Code
Now you can start working on your project:
- Create new files or modify existing ones in VS Code
- VS Code will automatically track changes in the Source Control view
Step 4: Stage and Commit Changes
Once you've made changes, it's time to commit them to your local repository:
Using VS Code's GUI:
- Click on the Source Control icon in the Activity Bar (the branch-like icon)
- Review your changes
- Click the "+" (stage) icon next to each file you want to commit, or use the "+" icon at the top to stage all changes
- Enter a commit message in the text field at the top of the Source Control panel
- Click the checkmark icon to commit the staged changes
Using the Terminal in VS Code:
- Open the terminal in VS Code with
Ctrl+`
(backtick) - Stage all changes with:
git add .
- Or stage specific files with:
git add filename.ext
- Commit your changes with:
git commit -m "Your commit message"
Step 5: Push Changes to GitHub
Now, let's publish your local commits to GitHub:
Using VS Code's GUI:
- After committing, click the "..." menu in the Source Control panel
- Select "Push"
- If prompted, enter your GitHub credentials
Using the Terminal in VS Code:
- Push your changes with:
git push origin main
(replace "main" with your branch name if different)
The first time you push, you may need to authenticate with GitHub. VS Code typically offers a browser-based authentication flow.
Step 6: Working with Branches
For larger projects, it's best practice to work with branches:
Create a New Branch:
- Click on the branch name in the bottom-left corner of VS Code
- Select "Create new branch..." from the dropdown
- Enter a branch name and press Enter
Using Terminal Commands:
- Create and switch to a new branch:
git checkout -b branch-name
- Switch between branches:
git checkout branch-name
- Push a new branch to GitHub:
git push -u origin branch-name
Step 7: Pull Changes from GitHub
If you're working with a team or across multiple devices, you'll need to pull changes:
Using VS Code's GUI:
- Click the "..." menu in the Source Control panel
- Select "Pull"
Using Terminal:
git pull origin main
Advanced VS Code GitHub Features
GitHub Pull Requests Extension
VS Code offers a GitHub Pull Requests extension that allows you to:
- Create and review pull requests directly in VS Code
- Browse, check out, and manage PRs from your repositories
- View and resolve comments and discussions
Gitlens Extension
The popular GitLens extension supercharges Git capabilities in VS Code with:
- Line-by-line Git blame annotations
- Commit search and history visualization
- Interactive rebase, stashing, and more
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Authentication Problems
If you encounter authentication issues:
- Try using a personal access token instead of a password
- Set up SSH keys for secure, password-free authentication
- Use the GitHub CLI for easy authentication
Merge Conflicts
VS Code provides an excellent merge conflict resolver:
- Conflicts are highlighted in the editor
- Options to accept current, incoming, or both changes
- After resolving, stage the files and commit the merge
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