{"id":4226,"date":"2026-04-08T18:55:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:55:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nmi.cool\/native-app\/working-with-github\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T19:57:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:57:19","slug":"working-with-github","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nmi.cool\/appdev\/working-with-github\/","title":{"rendered":"Working with GitHub"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Workflow We’re Using<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this course, you’ll use a focused Git workflow: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Accept an assignment via GitHub Classroom<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Clone the repo to your Mac<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Add your existing project files (if necessary)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Commit your changes as you work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Push to GitHub<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This page will walk you through this workflow, along with a couple troubleshooting steps you might find useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Accepting an Assignment via GitHub Classroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When an assignment is ready, your instructor gives you access to your own private copy of it \u2014 see “Getting Access to Your Assignments” on Getting Started with GitHub if you haven’t read that yet. You’ll get an email and\/or a GitHub notification (bell icon, top-right of github.com); open it and click Accept invitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That’s the whole step \u2014 no Terminal, no commands to run. Once accepted, the repo shows up under github.com \u2192 your profile icon \u2192 Your repositories, and you’re ready to clone it below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Cloning the Repo to Your Mac<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cloning a repository creates a linked local copy of the assignment on your Mac. Any commits you make locally can then be pushed back up to GitHub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. In GitHub Desktop, go to File > Clone Repository<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. In the modal dialog, select GitHub.com and select the assignment repository you just accepted. (Click the Refresh icon if you don’t see it yet.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Select a folder on your Mac in the Local Path picker toward the bottom of the modal \u2014 anywhere works, but it’s worth keeping all your assignment repos together in one place, e.g. ~\/Documents\/NMIX4030<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. In the Clone As\u2026 field, be sure to use the provided name for the destination folder, for example, project-one-uga12345<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Click Clone.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"GitHub<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      3. Adding Existing Project Files (if necessary)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      After cloning, you may need to add local files to your repository. To do so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. In GitHub Desktop, go to Repository \u2192 Show in Finder<\/strong> to open the folder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Copy or move the contents of your Xcode project folder into the repo folder<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        GitHub Desktop will immediately detect the new files and show them in the Changes<\/strong> tab. Green +<\/strong> icons indicate new files; yellow dots indicate modified files; red \u2212<\/strong> icons indicate deleted files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        4. Making a Commit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        A commit<\/strong> is a snapshot of your project saved to your local repo. It does not<\/em> go to GitHub yet \u2014 commits are local until you push them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"GitHub<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        In the Changes<\/strong> tab, make sure all files you want to include are checked. Then write a clear commit message in the Summary<\/strong> field. A good commit message is brief but descriptive \u2014 it answers what changed and why<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n