Pushing (Uploading) Your Changes: Remote Repositories & GitHub Explained
When you've built a local repository that's ready to share with collaborators or needs secure cloud backup, creating a remote repository on GitHub is your next critical step. This process—called "pushing"—uploads your entire codebase and revision history to a centralized location where teams can collaborate effectively and your work stays protected.
Hosting your Git repository with GitHub (now owned by Microsoft and serving over 100 million developers worldwide) creates a centralized hub for your development workflow. Beyond serving as a robust backup solution, GitHub enables seamless collaboration through pull requests, issue tracking, and integrated CI/CD pipelines. Your complete Git history—every commit, branch, and merge—transfers to the cloud, ensuring your project's evolution is preserved and accessible from anywhere.
Push for the First Time to Create a New GitHub Repo (Publishing from Visual Studio Code)
Publishing your first repository to GitHub through Visual Studio Code streamlines what was once a complex command-line process. Follow these steps to establish your remote repository connection:
Windows Users Only: GitHub's OAuth authentication requires Google Chrome as your default browser for seamless integration with Visual Studio Code. Configure this at tinyurl.com/def-brow before proceeding.
- Open your local Git repository folder in Visual Studio Code to access the integrated source control features.
- Locate the Publish to GitHub button
in the bottom-left corner of the VS Code window and click it to initiate the publishing process. For first-time GitHub users in VS Code, you'll encounter an authentication prompt. Click Allow when the sign-in message appears, then:
- In the browser window that launches, click Continue when prompted to Authorize Visual Studio Code.
- Enter your GitHub credentials if you're not already signed in to your account.
Click Authorize GitHub to complete the connection. If authentication fails, follow the troubleshooting steps below.
Windows Users RequirementWindows users must set Google Chrome as their default browser to ensure GitHub authorization works properly with Visual Studio Code.
Initial GitHub Publishing Process
1Open Repository
Open your local Git repository folder in Visual Studio Code to access the publishing features.
2Click Publish Button
Locate and click the 'Publish to GitHub' button at the bottom left of the VS Code window.
3GitHub Authentication
Sign into GitHub account through the browser authorization flow when prompted by Visual Studio Code.
4Choose Repository Type
Select between private repository for personal projects or public repository for open source contributions.
If an Error Occurred
Authentication hiccups are common but easily resolved with this retry sequence:
- Return to Visual Studio Code and press Esc to cancel the current attempt.
- In the blue status bar at the bottom, click Signing in to GitHub.com, then press Esc again.
- Click the Publish to GitHub button again—the second attempt typically succeeds.
- Click Allow, then Continue in your browser to complete authentication.
Back in VS Code, click Open if prompted to allow the GitHub extension to handle the authentication URI.
In the repository type selection panel, choose Publish to GitHub private repository for maximum security and control.
NOTE: Public repositories are ideal for open-source projects where community contributions and transparency are desired, but private repositories protect proprietary code and sensitive business logic.
Monitor the upload progress indicator in the bottom-right corner. If GitHub requests additional authentication during upload, click Sign in with your browser:
- Switch to your browser and click Authorize GitCredentialManager to enable seamless future operations.
- Once you see Authentication Succeeded, return to Visual Studio Code to continue.
When the upload completes successfully, click Open on GitHub to view your newly created remote repository.
Your browser will display your repository's GitHub page, complete with your code, commit history, and collaboration tools ready for your team.
If VS Code offers to periodically run 'Git fetch', we recommend clicking No to maintain manual control over when you synchronize with the remote repository.
Error Recovery Steps
Cancels any pending authentication dialogs
Restarts the authentication process
Often resolves authentication issues on second attempt
Completes the authorization handshake between applications
GitHub authentication issues with VS Code are common on first attempt but typically resolve successfully when the process is repeated.
How You Typically Push Changes to GitHub
Once your local repository is connected to GitHub, pushing subsequent changes becomes a streamlined process. Visual Studio Code offers multiple convenient methods to keep your remote repository current:
Use the Synchronize Changes button
in the bottom-left status bar to pull remote changes first, then push your local commits—ensuring you're always working with the latest codebase.Access the Source Control panel
, click the More Actions menu 
, and select Push for direct upload control when you're certain your local branch is up to date.
Push Methods Comparison
| Feature | Synchronize Changes | Push Only |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Blue status bar (bottom left) | Source Control panel menu |
| Operation | Pull then Push (sync) | Push only (upload) |
| Best For | Regular workflow updates | Specific push-only needs |
| Team Collaboration | Recommended approach | May miss remote updates |
When asked if you want Code to periodically run 'Git fetch', clicking 'No' gives you more control over when remote updates are checked.