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Upload Your First React Project to GitHub (Beginner Guide)

If you’re just getting started with web development, one of the most valuable things you can do is build projects and share them. And there’s no better place to showcase your code than GitHub — the world’s most popular platform for hosting and collaborating on code.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to:

  • Create a React project using Vite

  • Initialize Git and set up version control

  • Push your project to GitHub — step by step

Whether you’re building your first project or just learning how to use GitHub, this tutorial is the perfect starting point.

✍️ Why Use GitHub, React, and Vite?

GitHub

A free platform that lets developers:

  • Host code repositories

  • Track project changes

  • Collaborate with others

  • Share their work publicly or privately

If you plan to build a portfolio, contribute to open source, or land a job in tech, GitHub is essential.

⚛️ ReactJS

React is a powerful JavaScript library used by companies like Meta, Netflix, and Airbnb to build modern, dynamic websites. It’s a must-learn for frontend developers.

Vite

Vite is a lightning-fast build tool that makes it super easy to start new React projects with zero configuration.https://react.dev/

🧾 Step 1: Sign Up for GitHub

Before we get into the code, sign up for a free GitHub account:

  1. Go to github.com

  2. Click Sign Up

  3. Choose a username, enter your email, and create a password

  4. Verify your email and complete setup

Now you’re ready to host your code!

⚛️ Step 2: Create a React Project Using Vite

Make sure you have Node.js installed. Then open your terminal and run:
npm create vite@latest my-first-reactjs-app -- --template react
cd my-first-reactjs-app
npm install
npm run dev
This creates a fresh React app with Vite. Visit http://localhost:5173 to preview it in your browser.

🔧 Step 3: Initialize Git

Inside your project folder:
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
This sets up version control and saves your current code state.

🌐 Step 4: Create a New GitHub Repository

  1. Log in to GitHub

  2. Click the + icon in the top right → New repository

  3. Name it (e.g., my-first-reactjs-app)

  4. Leave everything else as default — don’t add a README

  5. Click Create repository

☁️ Step 5: Push Your Code to GitHub

Link your local code to your GitHub repo:
git branch -M main
git remote add origin https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_REPO_NAME.git
git push -u origin main
Replace YOUR_USERNAME and YOUR_REPO_NAME with your GitHub username and repository name.

🎉 That’s It — You’re Live!

Your React project is now live on GitHub!

You can now:

  • Share your repo link with others

  • Add it to your portfolio

  • Let others fork, star, or contribute to your project

📌 What’s Next?

To make your repo contributor-friendly:

  • Add a README.md with project details and setup instructions

  • Include a license

  • Create issues or features others can work on

💡 Want help setting up your portfolio, pushing your next project, or learning GitHub?
Check out more tutorials on my blog or contact me for beginner-friendly 1:1 help.

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