When working with Git, “origin” is the default name for a remote repository—usually the one hosted on GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Adding an origin allows you to push and pull code between your local machine and the remote repo.
In this post, you’ll learn how to add a remote origin in Git, verify it, and start syncing your code with the cloud.
🔧 What Is “Origin” in Git?
- origin is simply a reference name pointing to the remote repository.
- It’s most commonly used to connect your local project with a GitHub repository.
- Once set, you can push changes using simple commands like
git push origin main.
✅ Step-by-Step: How to Add Origin in Git
🔹 Step 1: Create a GitHub Repository (If Needed)
Go to GitHub and create a new repository:
- Click New repository
- Name your repo
- Choose public or private
- Click Create repository
Don’t initialize it with a README if you’ve already got local files.
🔹 Step 2: Open Your Terminal or Git Bash
Navigate to your project folder:
cd path/to/your/project
Initialize Git (if you haven’t already):
git init
🔹 Step 3: Add the Remote Origin
Use the git remote add command with your GitHub repo URL:
git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git
Replace the URL with the one for your repository. You can copy this from the “Clone” button on GitHub.
🔹 Step 4: Verify the Remote
Check that origin has been added successfully:
git remote -v
You should see something like:
origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git (fetch)
origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git (push)
🔹 Step 5: Push Code to Origin
If this is your first push:
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git push -u origin main
The
-uflag setsorigin/mainas the default upstream so you can simply usegit pushnext time.
🔄 Change or Update an Existing Origin
If you need to change the origin URL (e.g., you renamed your GitHub repo):
git remote set-url origin https://github.com/your-username/new-repo.git
🛠 Remove and Re-add Origin (If Needed)
To remove and add origin again:
git remote remove origin
git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git
🧠 Summary of Common Commands
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| Initialize Git | git init |
| Add origin | git remote add origin <repo-url> |
| View current origin | git remote -v |
| Change origin URL | git remote set-url origin <new-url> |
| Remove origin | git remote remove origin |
| Push to origin | git push -u origin main |
🏁 Conclusion
Adding an origin in Git is a key step in linking your local project to a remote repository like GitHub. Once connected, you can easily push and pull code, collaborate with others, and keep your project in sync across environments.
