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Creating a GitHub Account

Welcome to this episode of Bite-Sized! In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to create your very own GitHub account — the essential first step for collaborating on code and managing your projects online. Plus, if you’re a student, we’ll explain how to sign up for GitHub Education to unlock powerful developer tools for free!

Step 1: Creating Your GitHub Account​

  1. Go to github.com/signup and enter your email address — make sure it’s one you check regularly!
  2. Choose a username carefully. This is your public identity on GitHub, so pick something professional and easy to remember.
  3. Create a strong password and confirm it. We recommend using a password manager to keep your credentials safe.
  4. Complete the verification puzzle to prove you’re not a bot.
  5. Click “Create Account”. GitHub may send a confirmation email — don’t forget to check your inbox and verify your email address.

Tip:
Your GitHub username will appear on your profile, repositories, and contributions. If you plan to use GitHub professionally, consider keeping it simple and consistent with your other social media or professional handles.

Step 2: Unlocking GitHub Education Benefits (For Students)​

If you’re a student, you can access free professional developer tools through GitHub Education:

  • Free access to popular software development tools.
  • Use GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that helps you write code faster and with fewer errors (stay tuned for our future video on Copilot!).
  • Access to exclusive learning resources and discounts.

How to apply:

  1. Visit education.github.com.
  2. Click “Join GitHub Education” and follow the steps to verify your student status with your school email or student ID.
  3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) — this is required for Education benefits and also greatly improves your account security.

Security Tip:
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second step to verify your identity, usually a code from your phone. It’s highly recommended even if you’re not applying for Education benefits.

What’s Next?​

Now that you have your GitHub account set up and Education benefits unlocked, you’re ready to start exploring! Our upcoming tutorials will guide you on:

  • Creating your first repository
  • Working with branches and pull requests
  • Collaborating with your team efficiently

Feel free to check out the GitHub Docs on Creating an Account for more details.

Pro Tip

Set up your GitHub Profile with a clear picture, bio, and contact info — it helps others recognize and connect with you.

Watch Out

Avoid using easily guessable usernames or passwords. Keep your account secure by enabling 2FA right away!

Thanks for watching and happy coding!