Push Changes to GitHub
Once you’ve made and committed changes to your local repository, the next step is to share those updates with your remote repository on GitHub. This process is known as pushing changes.
Pushing ensures your latest work is uploaded to GitHub so that you (and your team) can access it from anywhere.
What is "Push" in Git?
The push command in Git uploads your local commits to a remote repository. Think of it as “publishing” your changes to GitHub.
git push
When you run this command, Git sends your local branch’s commits to the corresponding branch in your remote repository (for example, main or master).
Step-by-Step: How to Push Changes to GitHub
1. Check your current branch
Before pushing, make sure you’re on the correct branch.
git branch
If you’re on a feature branch (e.g., feature/update-readme), Git will push that branch to the remote repository.
2. Link your local repository to a remote (if not already)
If your local repo isn’t connected to GitHub yet, add the remote URL:
git remote add origin https://github.com/<your-username>/<repository-name>.git
Then verify it:
git remote -v
You should see something like:
origin https://github.com/ajay-dhangar/introduction-to-github.git (fetch)
origin https://github.com/ajay-dhangar/introduction-to-github.git (push)
3. Push your changes
Now that your repository is ready, push your commits using:
git push origin main
or, if you’re working on a branch:
git push origin your-branch-name
Example:
git push origin feature/add-login-form
This command uploads all your local commits from the branch feature/add-login-form to GitHub.
4. Enter your GitHub credentials (if prompted)
If it’s your first time pushing, Git may ask for your GitHub username and a Personal Access Token (PAT) instead of your password.
You can create one by visiting: 👉 GitHub Personal Access Tokens
5. Verify your changes on GitHub
After a successful push, go to your repository on GitHub — you’ll see your commits reflected there
You can also check the commit history:
git log
Common Errors and Fixes
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
error: failed to push some refs | Your local branch is behind the remote branch | Run git pull origin main --rebase before pushing again |
authentication failed | Invalid credentials or expired token | Generate a new PAT and reauthenticate |
remote: Repository not found | Wrong remote URL | Double-check the repo name and your GitHub username |
If you want Git to remember your remote branch for next time, you can use the -u flag:
git push -u origin main
Now, you can simply run:
git push
from then on — Git will automatically know where to push your changes.
Summary
You’ve learned how to:
- Understand what “push” means in Git
- Connect a local repository to a remote one
- Push your commits to GitHub
- Handle common push errors
Need help? Ask your questions in the GitHub Discussions. We’re here to help you grow as a contributor