Ungraded Assignment: Create a GitHub account

Week 5

Deadline

September 23, 2026

Introduction

Overview

By the start of this week’s Wednesday lecture, you should make sure you have access to a personal GitHub account. For most of you, that will mean you need to create an account, as detailed below.

Why this is needed

GitHub is a website that hosts Git repositories, i.e. version-controlled projects. In this week’s classes, you’ll learn how to use Git together with GitHub. You will also be handing in all upcoming graded assignments and final project checkpoints via GitHub.

Detailed steps

If you already have a GitHub account, log in and start at step 4.

  1. In your browser, navigate to https://github.com/signup.

  2. Fill out the form (don’t use “Continue with Google”, “Continue with Apple” or similar options) to provide your personal details. Some notes:

    • When choosing your GitHub username, I recommend to keep it professional and make it include or resemble your real name. (Keep in mind that you may use GitHub to share your code, like when publishing a paper.)

    • It’s up to you whether you prefer to use your OSU email address or a non-institutional email address.

      If you’re doing this after Monday’s class: the email address in your Git configuration needs to be associated with your GitHub account — either as your primary address here, or added afterwards as a secondary email.

  3. Check your email and enter the verification code you receive to verify your email address.

  1. You should now be back on the GitHub website, logged in. In the far top-right corner of the page, click your randomly assigned “avatar” (see image on the right for an example). Then, in the dropdown menu, click “Settings”.

  1. In the “Public profile” tab, enter your name.

  2. Email Jelmer and Kelsey with your GitHub username.

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