Put your code on GitHub (your first push)

1. Create a GitHub repository

Sign up at github.com, press New (or + → New repository), give it a name, choose Private, and do not tick "Add a README" — an empty repository is easiest for a first push. GitHub then shows the repository address, like https://github.com/you/my-app.git.

2. Add a .gitignore file

In your project's main folder create a file named .gitignore. It lists what must never go online: your secrets and things that are rebuilt on the server. A good start for most projects:

.env
.env.*
node_modules/
.next/
dist/
.venv/
venv/
__pycache__/
vendor/
target/
build/
.DS_Store

3. First push

Open a terminal in the project folder (in VS Code: Terminal → New Terminal) and run these lines one by one, using your own repository address:

git init
git add .
git commit -m "First version"
git branch -M main
git remote add origin https://github.com/you/my-app.git
git push -u origin main

Signing in to GitHub

The first push asks you to sign in. On Windows and Mac a browser window opens — approve it. If you are asked for a password in the terminal, GitHub needs a personal access token instead (GitHub → Settings → Developer settings → Personal access tokens) or the free GitHub Desktop / VS Code sign-in.

Every change after that

git add .
git commit -m "Describe what you changed"
git push

Next

Connect the repository to your app under Git deployments — then every git push deploys automatically. See Deploy from GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket.