Pushing your local code changes to a remote GitHub repository is a fundamental part of collaborative software development. Whether you’re updating a project or sharing new features, Git makes it simple to synchronize your work with GitHub.
This guide walks you through the process of pushing code to an existing GitHub repository from your local machine.
Prerequisites
- You have Git installed on your computer (Download Git)
- You have a local project initialized with Git (
git initdone) - You have access to the existing GitHub repository
- The repository URL (HTTPS or SSH)
Step 1: Check Your Remote Repository URL
Make sure your local Git repository is linked to the correct GitHub repository.
Run:
git remote -v
You should see output like:
origin https://github.com/username/repository.git (fetch)
origin https://github.com/username/repository.git (push)
If you don’t see origin or it points to a different repo, set the remote URL:
git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repository.git
Or update it:
git remote set-url origin https://github.com/username/repository.git
Step 2: Stage Your Changes
Add the files you want to push to the staging area:
git add .
This stages all changes. To add specific files:
git add filename1 filename2
Step 3: Commit Your Changes
Create a commit with a meaningful message:
git commit -m "Describe your changes here"
Step 4: Push Your Code to GitHub
Push your commits to the remote repository:
git push origin branch-name
- Replace
branch-namewith the branch you want to push to (oftenmainormaster).
For example:
git push origin main
Additional Tips
- If it’s your first push to a new branch, you might need to set the upstream branch:
git push -u origin branch-name
- If you face authentication issues, ensure your SSH keys or personal access tokens are configured correctly.
Summary
| Step | Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check remote URL | git remote -v | Verify or set repository URL |
| Stage changes | git add . | Add all changes |
| Commit changes | git commit -m "message" | Save your changes locally |
| Push to GitHub | git push origin branch-name | Upload changes to remote repo |
Final Thoughts
Pushing code to an existing GitHub repository is simple once you understand the flow. Remember to commit meaningful messages and verify you’re pushing to the correct branch.
