How to connect GitHub Desktop to a GitHub account?

 

Step 1: Download and Install GitHub Desktop

 

Begin by installing the GitHub Desktop application on your computer.

• Open your web browser and navigate to the official download page: https://desktop.github.com/
• Select the installer that matches your operating system (Windows or macOS).
• Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

 

Step 2: Launch GitHub Desktop

 

After installation, open the GitHub Desktop application.

• On Windows: press the Windows key, type “GitHub Desktop,” and press Enter.
• On macOS: open Finder, go to Applications, and double-click “GitHub Desktop.”

 

Step 3: Sign in to Your GitHub Account

 

Connect GitHub Desktop to your GitHub.com account so you can clone, create, and manage repositories.

• In the menu bar, click File and select Options (Windows) or click GitHub Desktop > Preferences (macOS).
• Go to the Accounts tab and click Sign in to GitHub.com.
• A browser window will open. Enter your GitHub username and password (or use SSO/2FA as configured).
• When prompted, click Authorize GitHub Desktop to grant the app access to your account.

 

Step 4: Configure Your Git Identity

 

Ensure commits are attributed correctly by setting your name and email. You can do this with GitHub Desktop’s UI or the command line.

• In GitHub Desktop, go to File > Options (Windows) or Preferences (macOS), then the Git tab. Enter your name and email.
• Alternatively, open a terminal or command prompt and run:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

 

Step 5: Clone an Existing Repository

 

Verify the connection by cloning one of your GitHub.com repositories.

• In GitHub Desktop, click File > Clone repository....
• Select the GitHub.com tab—your repositories should be listed automatically.
• Choose a repository, set the local path, then click Clone.
• Browse the repository files in the left sidebar to confirm it cloned successfully.

 

Step 6: Create and Publish a New Repository

 

Test full write access by creating and publishing a new repo.

• Click File > New repository....
• Fill in the Repository name, Description (optional), and Local path. Choose a .gitignore template and license if needed.
• Click Create repository.
• In the top bar, click Publish repository, verify the name and visibility, then click Publish repository again.
• Visit your GitHub.com account in a browser to confirm the new repository appears.