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Updating a Repository

The core cycle: Clone, Edit, Commit, Push

🔁
This is the workflow you'll use most often! Once you understand this cycle, you're ready to work on any project.

📥 Step A: Cloning (Remote to Local)

First, you need to download your remote repository to your computer.

1

Start Remote

On your GitHub repo page, click the green Code button.

2

Open with GitHub Desktop

Click "Open with GitHub Desktop".

Choose the local file path for the repository folder.

2

Clone via VS Code (two methods)

Open a new window, click "Clone Git Repository", and follow the prompts, OR:

  1. Copy the HTTPS URL shown after clicking the Code button
  2. In VS Code, open the Command Palette (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + P)
  3. Type "Git: Clone" and press Enter
  4. Paste the URL and select a folder
2

Best of Both Worlds

  1. Follow the "Open with GitHub Desktop" prompts to create the local folder
  2. Then open this folder as a workspace in VS Code

✏️ Step B: The Edit Cycle

1

Edit Files

Edit files in your local folder using any text/file editor.

2

Verify Changes

Open GitHub Desktop and verify changes are listed in the left panel.

3

Commit

Type a summary describing your changes and click Commit to main.

📝
Good commit messages:
  • "Add navigation menu"
  • "Fix typo in README"
  • "Update styling for mobile"
4

Push

Click Push origin (top toolbar) to upload your changes to GitHub.

1

Open as Workspace

Go to File → Open Folder... and select your repository folder.

⚠️
This ensures VS Code treats the folder as a distinct workspace with its own Git context. Don't just open individual files!
2

Make Changes & Save

Edit your files and save them (Ctrl/Cmd + S), or enable Auto Save.

3

Open Source Control

Click the Source Control icon (branch logo) in the Activity Bar.

4

Stage Changes

Hover over the file name and click the + icon to stage it (or skip this to stage all at once).

5

Commit

Type a message in the text box and click Commit (or Ctrl/Cmd + Enter).

📝
Good commit messages:
  • "Add navigation menu"
  • "Fix typo in README"
  • "Update styling for mobile"
6

Sync

Click Sync Changes to Push to your remote repository.

🗺️ The Complete Workflow

1. Clone
Download the repo from GitHub.com to your computer
2. Edit
Make changes to your files locally
3. Stage
Select which changes you want to save
4. Commit
Save the changes with a message
5. Push
Upload your commits back to GitHub.com
✨ Done!
Your changes are now live on GitHub
💡
Remember: You only Clone once, but you'll Edit → Stage → Commit → Push many times as you work on your project!

✨ Try It Now!

In your Sandbox repo, create a text file named hello.txt. Add the text "Hello World," save it, and push it to GitHub using either method above. Verify you can see it on the website!

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