How to Fork a Repository in GitHub

One of GitHub’s most powerful features is the ability to fork repositories. Forking lets you create your own copy of someone else’s project so you can experiment, modify, or contribute without affecting the original codebase.

In this blog, you’ll learn what forking is, why it’s useful, and how to fork a repository step by step.

Table of Contents

🤔 What Is a Fork?

A fork is a personal copy of another user’s GitHub repository. It allows you to:

Propose changes via pull requests
Use someone else’s project as a starting point
Experiment freely without breaking the original code

Forking is commonly used in open-source collaboration workflows.

🛠️ How to Fork a Repository on GitHub

1. Log In to Your GitHub Account

Go to https://github.com and sign in.

2. Navigate to the Repository You Want to Fork

Find the public repository you want to fork.

Example:
https://github.com/user/repository-name

3. Click the “Fork” Button

In the top-right corner of the repository page, click the Fork button.

4. Choose Where to Fork

If you’re part of multiple organizations, GitHub will ask you to choose where to fork the repo (your personal account or an organization).

5. Wait for GitHub to Create the Fork

GitHub will create a copy of the repository under your account, like:

https://github.com/your-username/repository-name

✅ What You Can Do After Forking

Once you’ve forked the repository, you can:

Clone it to your local machine:

git clone https://github.com/your-username/repository-name.git

Make changes locally
Commit and push changes
Submit a pull request to contribute back to the original project

🔄 Keeping Your Fork Up to Date (Optional)

To keep your fork updated with the original repository:

Add the original repo as an upstream remote:

git remote add upstream https://github.com/original-user/repository-name.git

Fetch changes and merge them into your branch:

git fetch upstream
git merge upstream/main

🧠 Pro Tips

Always fork from the latest version of the main branch.
Use meaningful branch names when working on features or fixes.
Keep your fork updated regularly if you’re actively contributing.

🏁 Conclusion

Forking is a core GitHub feature that powers open-source collaboration. Whether you’re submitting a pull request or customizing a project for personal use, knowing how to fork a repository properly is an essential skill.