Your code exists on your machine. Nobody else can see it, use it, or collaborate on it until you learn how to push to GitHub.
This single command bridges the gap between local development and team collaboration.
Whether you’re backing up a side project or contributing to software development workflows, pushing commits is a skill you’ll use daily.
This guide walks you through the complete process in four steps.
You’ll learn how to check your repository status, connect to a remote, execute the push command, and verify success.
Troubleshooting tips for common errors included. Takes about 3 minutes.
How to Push to GitHub
Pushing to GitHub is the process of uploading local commits from your machine to a remote repository hosted on GitHub’s servers.
Developers need this when saving work to the cloud, collaborating with team members, or preparing code for deployment.
This guide covers 4 steps requiring 2-3 minutes and basic Git familiarity.
Prerequisites
Before you push code, confirm these requirements:
- Git 2.x or later installed on your system
- A GitHub account (free tier works)
- Terminal, Command Prompt, or Git Bash access
- Local repository already initialized
- At least one commit in your local repo
- Internet connection
Time estimate: 2-3 minutes for the complete process.
Step One: How Do You Check Your Git Status Before Pushing?
The git status command displays your working directory state, showing staged files in green and unstaged files in red, which prevents pushing incomplete or broken commits.
Action
- Open Terminal or Git Bash in your project folder
- Run:
git status - Review output for staged changes and untracked files
Green text means files are staged and ready.
Red text indicates changes not yet added to the staging area.
Purpose
Checking status confirms your working tree is clean before syncing with the remote server.
Step Two: How Do You Add a Remote Repository Connection?
The git remote command links your local project to a GitHub repository URL, establishing the connection needed for push and pull operations.
Action
- Copy repository URL from GitHub: Click Code button, select HTTPS or SSH tab
- Run:
git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repository-name.git - Verify with:
git remote -v
The origin alias is the standard name for your primary remote.
HTTPS requires a personal access token for authentication.
SSH requires you to configure SSH keys first.
Purpose
Without a remote connection, Git has no destination for your commits.
Step Three: How Do You Push Your Local Commits to GitHub?
The git push command transfers commits from your local branch to the remote repository, with the -u flag setting upstream tracking for future pushes.
Action
- Run:
git push -u origin main - Enter credentials if prompted (username and token for HTTPS)
- Wait for confirmation message
Use main or master depending on your default branch name.
Successful output shows: “Branch ‘main’ set up to track remote branch ‘main’ from ‘origin’.”
Purpose
The -u flag means future pushes only require git push without specifying the remote and branch.
Step Four: How Do You Verify Your Push Completed Successfully?
Verification confirms data integrity between your local codebase and the remote server by comparing commit hashes and checking file presence on GitHub.
Action
- Open browser:
github.com/username/repository-name - Check latest commit message matches your local git log output
- Click “commits” to view full version history
Timestamps should match within seconds of your push.
All tracked files appear in the repository file browser.
Purpose
Visual confirmation catches sync failures that terminal output might miss.
Verification
Run git log --oneline -1 locally and compare the hash with GitHub’s latest commit.
Matching hashes confirm successful synchronization.
Check the repository’s file count matches your local project structure.
Troubleshooting
Issue: “fatal: remote origin already exists”
Solution: Run git remote remove origin then re-add with the correct URL.
Issue: “Authentication failed”
Solution: Generate a new personal access token at GitHub > Settings > Developer settings > Personal access tokens.
Use the token as your password when prompted.
Issue: “Updates were rejected because the remote contains work”
Solution: Run git pull origin main --rebase first to sync remote changes, then push again.
This happens when teammates pushed commits you don’t have locally.
Learn how to resolve merge conflicts if the rebase creates conflicts.
Issue: “src refspec main does not match any”
Solution: You have no commits yet.
Run git add . and git commit -m "Initial commit" before pushing.
The git commit command creates the snapshot that gets pushed.
Issue: “Permission denied (publickey)”
Solution: Your SSH key isn’t configured or doesn’t match GitHub’s records.
Switch to HTTPS URL or regenerate your SSH keys.
Alternative Method: Pushing with GitHub Desktop
GitHub Desktop provides a visual interface for version control operations without command line interaction.
Command Line Method (This Guide)
- Time: 2-3 minutes
- Requires: Terminal familiarity
- Best for: Automation, remote servers, experienced developers
GitHub Desktop Method
- Time: 1-2 minutes
- Requires: GitHub Desktop app installed
- Best for: Beginners, visual workflow preference
Choose command line when scripting CI/CD workflows or working on headless servers.
Choose GitHub Desktop when learning Git basics or preferring click-based confirmation of staged changes.
Both methods produce identical results in your remote repository.
Related Processes
After mastering push operations, explore these connected workflows:
- How to clone a GitHub repository
- How to create a new branch in Git
- How to pull from GitHub
- How to merge branches in GitHub
- How to resolve conflicts in GitHub
Understanding the difference between Git and GitHub helps clarify which tool handles each operation.
Teams using DevOps practices often integrate push commands into automated build pipelines triggered by repository events.
FAQ on How To Push To GitHub
What does pushing to GitHub actually do?
Pushing uploads your local commits to a remote repository on GitHub’s servers.
It syncs your commit history with the cloud, making changes visible to collaborators and backing up your work within your source control management system.
Do I need to commit before pushing?
Yes. The git add command stages files, then commit creates a snapshot.
Push only transfers existing commits. No commits means nothing to push, and you’ll get the “src refspec does not match” error.
What is the difference between git push and git pull?
Push sends local commits to the remote server. Git pull downloads remote commits to your local machine.
They’re opposite operations. Push uploads; pull downloads.
Why does my push get rejected?
The remote contains commits you don’t have locally.
Someone else pushed changes, or you edited files directly on GitHub. Run git pull --rebase first to sync, then push again. Rebase replays your commits on top.
Can I push to a specific branch?
Yes. Use git push origin branch-name to target any branch.
Replace “branch-name” with your actual branch. The -u flag sets tracking so future pushes remember the destination automatically.
How do I push to GitHub without entering credentials every time?
Configure SSH authentication or use Git credential manager.
SSH keys eliminate password prompts entirely. Credential manager caches your token after the first entry, storing it securely on your system.
What happens if I force push?
Force push (git push --force) overwrites remote history with your local version.
It can delete teammates’ commits permanently. Only use on personal branches. Never force push to main or shared branches in team projects.
Can I undo a push to GitHub?
You can revert to a previous commit and push the reversal.
This creates a new commit that undoes changes while preserving history. Force pushing to remove commits is risky and affects all collaborators.
How do I push an existing local project to a new GitHub repository?
Create an empty repository on GitHub first. Don’t initialize with README.
Then run git remote add origin URL followed by git push -u origin main. Your local files upload to the new remote.
What are GitHub Actions and do they run when I push?
GitHub Actions are automated workflows triggered by repository events.
Push events commonly trigger CI pipelines that run tests, build artifacts, or deploy code. You configure triggers in YAML workflow files stored in your repository.
Conclusion
Learning how to push to GitHub transforms your local project into a collaborative, backed-up, deployment-ready codebase.
Four commands handle the entire workflow: status, remote add, push, and verify.
Authentication issues and rejected pushes trip up most beginners. The troubleshooting section addresses these directly.
Once comfortable with pushing, explore branching strategies and Git workflows to structure team collaboration.
Consider integrating continuous deployment pipelines that trigger automatically when you push to specific branches.
The command line method scales across any environment. Master it once, use it everywhere.
Your commit history now lives in the cloud. Push often, push early, and keep your remote repository current.
Many of his resources are available on various design marketplaces and for free on Codepen.
Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.
- CSS Cheat Sheet - May 18, 2026
- How to Set Up VSCode for Python Development - May 16, 2026
- How Using One Platform Can Simplify Order Fulfillment - May 15, 2026
