How To Use Github In Vscode: A Step-By-Step Guide

by Devop · 05/07/2024

GitHub is a popular platform for sharing and collaborating on code, and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a powerful code editor. Together, they provide a seamless workflow for developers. This guide will walk you through the process of using GitHub in VS Code, from setup to advanced features.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Learn how to set up Git and GitHub in VS Code.
Understand how to clone and create repositories within VS Code.
Get tips on making and committing changes to your code.
Discover how to manage branches and handle pull requests.
Explore ways to customize your Git and GitHub settings for a better workflow.

Setting Up Git in Visual Studio Code

To get started with Git and GitHub in Visual Studio Code, you first need to have Git installed on your computer. If you don’t have it yet, the Source Control view in VS Code will guide you through the installation process. Remember to [restart VS Code after installing Git](https://virtualizare.net/devops/mastering-gitlab-on-windows-a-step-by-step-guide-2.html) to ensure everything works smoothly.

Installing Git on Your Computer

Before diving into VS Code, you need to install Git. Head over to the official Git website and download the installer for your operating system. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Once done, you can verify the installation by opening a terminal and typing git --version.

Configuring Git in VS Code

After installing Git, the next step is to configure it within VS Code. Open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) and type Git: Configure. Here, you’ll set your Git username and email, which are essential for tracking your commits.

Signing into GitHub from VS Code

To unlock additional features like cloning and publishing repositories, sign into your GitHub account from VS Code. Navigate to the Accounts menu in the lower right of the Activity bar and select Sign in to GitHub. Follow the prompts to authorize VS Code to access your GitHub account. This step also enables Settings Sync, making it easier to manage your projects across different devices.

Integrating GitHub with Visual Studio Code

Integrating GitHub with Visual Studio Code is a game-changer for developers. It allows you to manage your source code and collaborate with others seamlessly. With the right setup, you can perform all your GitHub actions directly from VS Code. Let’s dive into the steps to make this integration smooth and efficient.

Cloning a GitHub Repository

Using the Command Palette to Clone

To clone a repository from GitHub, open the Command Palette in VS Code by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac). Type Git: Clone and select it. Paste the URL of the repository you want to clone. This method is quick and efficient, making it a favorite among developers.

Selecting a Location for the Cloned Repository

After initiating the clone command, VS Code will prompt you to choose a location on your local machine to store the cloned repository. Navigate to your desired folder and select it. This step ensures that your project files are organized and easily accessible.

Opening the Cloned Repository in VS Code

Once the repository is cloned, VS Code will ask if you want to open it immediately. Click Open to start working on your project right away. This seamless integration allows you to dive into coding without any delays.

Cloning repositories directly from VS Code streamlines your workflow, making it easier to manage and collaborate on projects.

Creating a New Repository from VS Code

Creating a new repository in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a straightforward process that can significantly streamline your development workflow. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Making Changes and Committing

Editing Files in VS Code

When working on a project, you will often need to make changes to your files. Open the file you want to edit in Visual Studio Code and start making your changes. The editor provides syntax highlighting and other features to make coding easier. Remember to save your changes frequently to avoid losing any work.

Staging Changes

After editing your files, the next step is to stage your changes. Click on the Source Control icon on the sidebar to view all the changes you have made. Select the files you want to stage and click the plus icon next to them. This will move the files to the staging area, preparing them for a commit.

Committing Changes to GitHub

Once your changes are staged, it’s time to commit them. Enter a commit message in the text box at the top of the Source Control view. A good commit message is concise but descriptive. After typing your message, click the Commit button. This saves your changes to the local Git repository. If you have a GitHub Copilot subscription, you can use the sparkle icon to generate a commit message.

Tip: Commit your changes early and often. This makes it easier to revert back to previous versions of your code if needed.

Pushing Changes to GitHub

Once you’ve made changes to your code, it’s time to push those updates to your GitHub repository. This process ensures your work is saved and shared with your team or the public.

Using the Source Control View

In Visual Studio Code, head over to the Source Control view on the left-hand side. You’ll see a list of modified files. Type a commit message that describes your changes. Click the carrot button next to Commit and choose Commit & Push. This action will push your changes directly to GitHub.

Syncing Changes with GitHub

To keep your local repository in sync with GitHub, use the sync option. This ensures that any changes made by others are also reflected in your local copy. Simply click on the sync icon in the status bar, and VS Code will handle the rest. This is crucial for maintaining a smooth workflow, especially in a collaborative environment.

Handling Merge Conflicts

Merge conflicts can occur when multiple people make changes to the same file. VS Code provides tools to resolve these conflicts easily. When a conflict arises, you’ll see options to accept incoming changes, keep current changes, or a combination of both. Carefully review the conflicting changes and choose the appropriate action to resolve the conflict.

Tip: Always pull the latest changes from the remote repository before starting new work to minimize the chances of merge conflicts.

Creating and Managing Branches

Creating a New Branch

Creating a new branch in VS Code is straightforward. Click on the branch indicator in the Status bar, then select the option to create a new branch. You can choose to create it from the current branch or another local one. Type a name for the new branch and confirm. This allows you to make changes to your code without affecting the main branch.

Switching Between Branches

Switching between branches is just as easy. Click on the branch indicator in the Status bar and select the branch you want to switch to. One great feature of the GitHub Repositories extension is that you can switch branches without needing to stash uncommitted changes. The extension remembers your changes and reapplies them when you switch branches.

Merging Branches

Merging branches is a crucial part of managing your code. To merge a branch, go to the Source Control view, select the branch you want to merge into, and choose the merge option. This integrates the changes from one branch into another, ensuring your codebase stays up-to-date.

Tip: If you use the GitHub Pull Requests and Issues extension, you can create a branch directly from an issue, which gets you started working in a new local branch and automatically prefills the pull request for you.

Handling Pull Requests

Creating a pull request (PR) in VS Code is straightforward. First, ensure you’re on a separate branch from the main branch and push your changes to the remote repository. In the Source Control view, select the Create Pull Request button. This opens a form where you can enter a title and description for your PR and choose the branch to merge into. Once done, click Create to submit your PR.

Reviewing pull requests is a crucial step in maintaining code quality. In the Pull Requests view, you can see all open PRs. You can assign reviewers, add labels, and leave comments. Once the review is complete, you can approve, close, or merge the PR directly from this view. This ensures that only high-quality changes are merged into the main codebase.

After a PR has been reviewed and approved, it’s time to merge it. In the Pull Requests view, select the PR you want to merge. You can review the details one last time, add any final comments, and then click the Merge button. After merging, you have the option to delete both the remote and local branches to keep your repository clean.

Pull requests are an essential tool in GitHub and Azure DevOps for code review. These reviews help catch issues in new features and allow teammates to share feedback before changes are merged.

Working with Issues

Creating Issues from VS Code

Creating issues in VS Code is straightforward. You can use the + button in the Issues view or commands like GitHub Issues: Create Issue from Selection. Additionally, you can create issues from "TODO" comments using a Code Action. This flexibility allows you to quickly document problems or tasks as they arise.

Linking Issues to Commits

Linking issues to commits helps in tracking progress. When you commit changes, you can reference the issue number in your commit message. This practice not only keeps your work organized but also provides a clear history of what changes were made to address specific issues.

Closing Issues

Once you’ve resolved an issue, you can close it directly from VS Code. This can be done from the Issues view or by using specific commands. Closing issues promptly ensures your project stays up-to-date and reflects the current state of development.

Efficient issue management is crucial for maintaining a smooth workflow and achieving high DORA metrics. By integrating issue tracking with your development process, you can enhance both clarity and productivity.

Using GitHub Actions in VS Code

Setting Up GitHub Actions

Setting up GitHub Actions in VS Code is a breeze. First, install the GitHub Actions extension from the VS Code marketplace. This extension lets you manage your workflows, view the workflow run history, and edit GitHub secrets. Once installed, you can start creating and managing your CI/CD pipelines directly from your editor. This integration is perfect for those who want to streamline their development workflows.

Viewing Workflow Results

After setting up your workflows, you can easily view the results within VS Code. The extension provides a detailed view of each workflow run, including logs and status updates. This feature is essential for monitoring your CI/CD pipelines and ensuring everything runs smoothly. You can also filter the results to focus on specific runs or issues.

Debugging Workflow Failures

When a workflow fails, it’s crucial to identify and fix the issue quickly. The GitHub Actions extension in VS Code offers robust debugging tools to help you diagnose problems. You can view detailed error messages, logs, and even re-run failed workflows with a single click. This functionality is invaluable for maintaining the health of your CI/CD pipelines and ensuring your code is always in top shape.

Mastering GitHub Actions for streamlined CI/CD pipelines. Automate software workflows with GitHub Actions for CI/CD, secure pipelines, automate tests, handle multiple versions, and integrate third-party tools.

By integrating GitHub Actions with VS Code, you can take your development process to the next level. Whether you’re using Azure DevOps, AWS DevOps, or Azure Pipelines, this setup will help you achieve a more efficient and automated workflow.

Customizing Git and GitHub Settings

Configuring Git Settings

To get the most out of Git, you need to configure it properly. Open the VS Code command palette and select Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON). This allows you to edit settings in JSON format, giving you full control over your Git configuration. You can specify where to store your Git config, making it easier to manage your projects.

Customizing GitHub Integration

Enhance your workflow by customizing how GitHub integrates with VS Code. In the upper-right corner of GitHub, select your profile photo, then click your organizations. Next to the organization, click settings. This is where you can manage custom properties for your repositories, ensuring everything is tailored to your needs.

Using Extensions for Enhanced Functionality

Extensions can significantly boost your productivity. For example, you can configure Git to handle line endings automatically, which is crucial when collaborating with people using different operating systems. Additionally, explore various devops tooling extensions to optimize your development workflow. These tools can streamline your processes and make your coding experience smoother.

Customizing your Git and GitHub settings can greatly improve your development workflow, making it more efficient and tailored to your specific needs.

Want to make Git and GitHub work better for you? Check out our easy guide on customizing settings. It’s perfect for beginners and will help you get the most out of your tools. For more tips and tricks, visit our website today!

Conclusion

Using GitHub in VS Code can greatly enhance your coding workflow. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily set up Git, integrate your GitHub account, and manage your repositories directly from the editor. This not only saves time but also makes collaboration with others much simpler. Whether you’re cloning repositories, pushing changes, or managing pull requests, VS Code’s GitHub integration provides a seamless experience. Now that you know how to use these tools together, you can focus more on coding and less on managing your projects. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install Git on my computer?

To install Git, go to the Source Control view in VS Code. If Git isn’t installed, it will prompt you to download and install it.

How do I sign into GitHub from VS Code?

In the lower right corner of the Activity bar, click on the Accounts menu and sign in with your GitHub account.

What is the GitHub Pull Requests and Issues extension?

It’s an extension for VS Code that lets you interact with GitHub pull requests and issues directly from the editor.

How do I clone a GitHub repository in VS Code?

Open the Command Palette with Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac), type ‘Git: Clone’, and follow the instructions.

Can I create a new GitHub repository from VS Code?

Yes, you can start a new project in VS Code and publish it to GitHub directly from the Source Control view.

How do I push changes to GitHub?

Use the Source Control view to stage and commit your changes, then click the ‘Sync Changes’ button to push them to GitHub.

What should I do if I encounter merge conflicts?

If you have merge conflicts, VS Code will show you the conflicts in the editor, and you can resolve them before committing.

How do I create a pull request in VS Code?

Use the GitHub Pull Requests and Issues extension to create a new pull request directly from VS Code.