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GitHub Setup Guide

Quick reference for setting up GitHub and version control for your AI assets.

Prerequisites

  • Email address for GitHub account
  • Cursor or VS Code installed

1. Create a GitHub Account

  1. Go to github.com
  2. Click Sign up
  3. Follow the prompts to create your account
  4. Verify your email address

Already have an account? Skip to step 2.

2. Clone a Repository

Use your code editor to clone course repositories.

In Cursor or VS Code

  1. Open the Command Palette (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P)
  2. Type Git: Clone
  3. Paste the repository URL (e.g., https://github.com/jamesgray-ai/claude-for-builders.git)
  4. Choose a local folder location
  5. Open the cloned repository when prompted

Git Concepts

Understanding these terms helps when working with Claude Code.

Commit

A commit saves a snapshot of your changes with a message describing what you did. Think of it as a save point you can return to.

Push

Push uploads your local commits to GitHub. Until you push, your changes only exist on your computer.

Pull

Pull downloads the latest changes from GitHub to your local copy. Do this before starting work to stay in sync.

Staging

Before committing, you stage files to indicate which changes to include. You can commit some changes while leaving others for later.

Using Claude Code for Git Operations

Once you have Claude Code installed, you can perform Git operations by asking Claude in natural language:

  • "Commit my changes with a descriptive message"
  • "Push my commits to GitHub"
  • "Pull the latest changes"
  • "Show me what files have changed"

Claude Code handles the Git commands for you.

Troubleshooting

Can't clone the repository? - Verify you have access to the repository - Check that the URL is correct - Make sure you're signed into GitHub in your editor

Authentication issues? - Your editor may prompt you to sign into GitHub - Follow the browser authentication flow when prompted

Next Steps

  • Review the course slide deck for detailed walkthrough with screenshots
  • Set up Claude Code CLI to manage Git operations
  • Post in Slack if you encounter issues

Resources