GitHub + ChatGPT
◆ Beginner-friendly walkthrough

Use GitHub with ChatGPT

Create a GitHub account and repository, connect it to ChatGPT, and let ChatGPT create and edit files — no programming or Git commands required.

1Create an account
2Create a private repository
3Connect the plugin
4Edit a README
5Create a new file
6Review a pull request
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Step 1

The basic ideas

GitHubA website for storing projects and keeping a history of their files.
Repository (repo)A project folder on GitHub.
CommitA saved change or checkpoint.
GitThe underlying system GitHub uses to track changes.

You do not need to learn Git commands for this tutorial.

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Step 2

Create a GitHub account

  1. Go to github.com (opens in new tab).
  2. Select Sign up.
  3. Sign up with an email address, or choose Continue with Google or Continue with Apple.
  4. Choose a username.
  5. Follow the instructions to verify your email address.

Choose a username you are comfortable showing other people. It may appear on your GitHub profile and in repository addresses.

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Recommended: Enable two-factor authentication and save the recovery codes somewhere safe.
📖 For more information, read:
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Step 3

Create your first repository

  1. Select the + button near the upper-right corner of GitHub.
  2. Select New repository.
  3. Enter a name, such as my-chatgpt-files.
  4. Add an optional description, such as Files and notes that I manage with ChatGPT.
  5. Select Private.
  6. Turn on Add a README file.
  7. Select Create repository.

The README is the introductory page for the repository. Leave the default text in place for now; updating it will be ChatGPT's first task.

⚠️
Do not store secrets: Keep passwords, recovery codes, API keys, banking information, and similar private material out of the repository.
📖 For more information, read:
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Step 4

Connect GitHub to ChatGPT

  1. In ChatGPT, open Plugins.
  2. Scroll down and select Browse plugins.
  3. Find the GitHub plugin.
  4. Select it and choose Connect.
If Plugins is not visible in the sidebar, open Settings → Plugins.

ChatGPT will send you to GitHub to install or authorize the ChatGPT Codex Connector.

When GitHub asks which repositories it may access:

  1. Choose Only select repositories.
  2. Select my-chatgpt-files.
  3. Review the requested permissions.
  4. Select Install or the equivalent confirmation button.
A newly connected repository may take a few minutes to appear.
@
ChatGPT may select GitHub automatically. If it does not, start the request with @GitHub, or select + → More → GitHub.
Step 5

Give ChatGPT its first task

Start a normal ChatGPT conversation and enter:

Use GitHub to update README.md in my repository named my-chatgpt-files.

Replace the default README with a short, beginner-friendly explanation that this repository contains files and notes that I manage with ChatGPT.

ChatGPT may ask you to approve the action. Review the request and approve it when it matches what you asked for.

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Step 6

Check the result

Return to GitHub and open the my-chatgpt-files repository.

Open README.md. You should see the text created by ChatGPT.

GitHub also keeps a record of the change, so you can inspect what changed and see earlier versions later.

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Step 7

Ask ChatGPT to create a file

Create a file named ideas.md in my repository named my-chatgpt-files.

Add the heading "Ideas" and a short list of useful things I could store in this repository.

Return to GitHub and confirm that ideas.md appears.

You have now used ChatGPT to edit an existing file and create a new one.

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Step 8

How to ask for future changes

A useful request normally needs only:

  • The repository name
  • What you want created or changed
  • Any important requirements for the result

For example:

Update ideas.md in my repository named my-chatgpt-files.

Organize the ideas into Personal, Home, and Work sections.

Concentrate on describing the result you want.

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Step 9

Ideas for using GitHub with ChatGPT

Once everything is connected, a repository can become a shared workspace where ChatGPT collects information, creates documents, and keeps the supporting material organized.

🔎 Research a topic deeply

Ask ChatGPT to find and evaluate up to 50 credible sources. It can save detailed source notes, track gaps, and create a referenced report after enough good evidence has been collected.

Example prompt:

Use my repository named [repository name] to create a research project about [topic].

Find and evaluate up to 50 credible sources. For each source, save its title, author or publisher, date, link, detailed notes, key findings, and important limitations. Maintain a source index that shows what has been collected and what gaps remain.

After the source collection is strong enough, create a detailed report based on the collected research, with references back to the source notes.

⚖️ Compare a major decision

Use a repository to research a purchase, trip, move, school, service, or another important decision while preserving requirements, sources, comparisons, and unanswered questions.

Example prompt:

Use my repository named [repository name] to help me decide between [options].

Create a document listing my requirements and priorities. Research each option, record the sources and findings, compare the tradeoffs, identify unanswered questions, and maintain a current recommendation that can change as new evidence is added.

✍️ Develop a writing or learning project

Store notes, outlines, drafts, lessons, glossaries, exercises, and progress records in one place, then ask ChatGPT to organize and combine them.

Example prompt:

Use my repository named [repository name] to help me [learn a subject or develop a writing project].

Create an outline, glossary, notes, exercises or drafts, and a progress checklist. Update them as we work, explain difficult ideas, and combine the completed material into a polished final document.
Step 10

What a pull request is

A pull request (PR) lets you review proposed changes before adding them to the main version of a repository.

PRs are useful for larger or important changes because GitHub clearly shows what will change. To ask for one, add:

Make the changes on a new branch and open a pull request for me to review.

Review and merge a PR

  1. Open the pull request link in GitHub.
  2. Read the summary on the Conversation tab.
  3. Open Files changed.
  4. Review the changes. Green lines were added; red lines were removed.
  5. To flag a problem, leave a comment in GitHub or ask ChatGPT to correct it.
  6. Check the updated files after corrections are made.
  7. When the result looks right, select Merge pull request, then Confirm merge.
Merge means accepting the proposed changes and adding them to the repository's main version. GitHub may then offer to delete the temporary branch used for the PR.
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Step 11

Give ChatGPT access to another repository

The ChatGPT Codex Connector can use only repositories you authorize.

After creating another repository:

  1. Open GitHub Settings.
  2. Open Applications.
  3. Find ChatGPT Codex Connector under installed GitHub apps.
  4. Select Configure.
  5. Add the new repository under Repository access.
  6. Save the change.

You normally do not need to reinstall the connector. You only need to add the new repository to its allowed list.

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Finish

Basic safety and the complete workflow

  • Do not store passwords, recovery codes, API keys, or financial information in GitHub.
  • Give the connector access only to repositories it needs.
  • Review the result after ChatGPT changes a repository, especially for important work.
  • Use a pull request when you want a separate review step.
  • Remove repository access when it is no longer needed.
1. Create repo
2. Grant access
3. Ask ChatGPT
4. Review result
5. Merge PR if used