Step-by-Step Guide for beginners for getting started with Open-Source

1. The first thing you need is Git installed on your system, if it is not installed then download it as per your OS and install it.

Git Setup :-

  • Download Git as per your OS.
  • Git installation Video as per your OS.
  • Install Git
  • Open the Git Bash ( Right Click )
  • Run the Commands

    • $ git config --global user.name "Your Name"

    $ git config --global user.email [email protected]

    $ git config --list

  • You should be able to see your entered name and email under user.name & user.email

2. You should have an account on GitHub if you you dont't have an account then simply make it.

3. You will need a text editor accoring to your comfort , I prefer Vs code

4. Now you just have to setup the project from GitHub to your local system.

Setting Project on your Local System :-


  • Fork this Repository or Project
  • This will create a copy of this repository in your account.


  • Copy the link of the Repository



  • Open Git bash where you want to clone the project and clone it
  • Clone it
  • Run Command and Hit Enter 
    git clone <the link you just copied>



    In this case it is
    git clone https://github.com/arpit456jain/Getting-Started-with-open-source.git

  • After you hit enter you will notice that some downloading will start. It's actually cloning of repo form your GitHub repository to your local system.

  • After this you will notice a folder is created with the name of repository



  • Then just close the Git bash and open this folder and open VS code here



5. Now Make necessary changes and commit them , lets say you have to add your name in readme , you already set up the project in local system . Now before starting your work always rembember to pull latest change from the main Repo.

  • Fetch And Merge


  • Pull these changes in your local system
    • git pull origin master



  • make a new branch and then make the changes , then commit them. make sure to commit to the new branch
    Never commit in master branch 
    • git checkout -b new_branch_name
git add -A
git commit -a -m "message"
  • After commiting your changes on your local host you have to push that changes to GitHub , make sure you push the new branch 
    • git push origin new_branch_name

6. Make the Pull Request

  • when you push the changes you will notice a new branch will be created on GitHub and there will be a green button for creating pull request. Click on it.



  • After this a new page will be open like this


  • Now add a title and description of your PR and click on create pull request.

  • Congrats ? your Pull Request is created



Some Common Error And Their Solutions

1. Updates were rejected or failed to push some refs.


This is most common error you will find and its pretty easy to solve .


Solution: You just have to pull latest changes to your local system first and then you can push them 

git pull origin master

Note : if your repo is a forked one and its some commit behind then first fetch n merge then pull changes

Common Git Commands you should know!!!

1. Git checkout

  • You can use the checkout command to switch the branch that you are currently working on. 
    • git checkout <branch name>

    2. Git init

  • This is the command you need to use if you want to start a new empty repository or to reinitialize an existing one in the project root. It will create a .git directory with its subdirectories. 
    • git init <repository name>

    3. Git diff

  • You can use this command to see the unstaged changes on the current branch. 
    • git diff
  • If you want to see the staged changes. 
    • git diff --staged
  • Or you can compare two branches: 
    • gif diff <branch1> <branch2>

    4. Git add

  • This is the command you need to use to stage changed files. You can stage individual files. 
    • git add <file path>
  • You can also stage all files. 
    • git add .

    5. Git branch

  • Using git branch will list all the branches of the repository. 
    • git branch
  • Or you can use it to create a new branch, without checking it out. 
    • git branch <new branch>
  • To delete a branch. 
    • git branch -d <branch name>

    6. Git log

  • If you want to see what you have committed till now. 
    • git log
  • If you want to see last 5 commits among 100000 commits. 
    • git log -p -1

    7. Git clear

  • To clean git bash. 
    • git clear
    GitHub - arpit456jain/Getting-Started-with-open-source: step by step guide for beginners for getting started with open source
    step by step guide for beginners for getting started with open source - GitHub - arpit456jain/Getting-Started-with-open-source: step by step guide for beginners for getting started with open source
    GitHubarpit456jain