Section 1.1: Utilizing Repository Templates

Have you found yourself duplicating projects just to initiate similar ones? If so, GitHub's template repository feature might be the solution. This feature allows you to create a template from an existing repository, which can then be used to generate a new project with the same directory structure and files.

Usage:

1. Navigate to the repository you wish to designate as a template.
2. Click on the Settings tab and enable the Template repository option.
3. When you want to create a new project, simply click the Use this template button.

The result will be a new repository with the same file structure as the original.

Section 1.2: Enhancing Projects with Visual Elements

To improve the visual appeal of your project, consider adding media cards and shields. For instance, media cards can be used for social media posts, which can make your repository stand out.

Usage:

• To customize the default card, go to Settings and upload an image for the Social preview.

You can easily incorporate these badges into your GitHub README.md file, enhancing your project's presentation.

Section 1.3: Creating Predefined Templates for Contributions

If you'd like users to contribute to your repository or report issues, having predefined templates can be quite helpful. These templates ensure that contributors provide all necessary information.

Usage:

1. Create a new file and establish a .github folder containing an ISSUE_TEMPLATE file.
2. All templates should be stored in the .github directory.

When users click on Issues -> New issue, they'll see the template with pre-filled information, making the process more convenient.

Section 2.1: Preserving File Versions with Permalinks

When sharing links to files, the link reflects the current version of that file, which may change over time. Permalinks allow you to point to a specific version of a file, ensuring that others see the same content regardless of future changes.

Usage:

1. Open the desired file and press the Y key.
2. A new URL with a unique hash will be generated, preserving the file's state.

You can also create permalinks for selected lines of code, providing a stable reference to specific content.

Section 2.2: Simplified Branch Comparison

Comparing branches in GitHub is straightforward. For instance, to compare the master and test branches, you can modify the repository URL as follows:

This command will display the comparison results directly in your browser.

Section 2.3: Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts

Did you know that pressing the ? key on GitHub reveals all available shortcuts?

Here are a couple of my favorites:

• Press the . key to activate a Web IDE in your browser, allowing for quick file edits.
• Use the T key to search for files, leveraging the autocomplete feature for efficiency.

Explore these shortcuts to enhance your GitHub navigation.

The video "13 Advanced (but useful) Git Techniques and Shortcuts" offers further insights into optimizing your Git workflow.

Section 2.4: Analyzing Project Insights

The Insights tab provides valuable metrics about your repository, such as visitor counts, commit frequency, and number of forks.

Usage:

• Click on the Insights tab within your repository to access various analytical metrics.