# Connecting our local repository to github
Our project is fully version controlled so we have access to a detailed history of every change we've ever made to it. This is a great first step but all of this only exists on our own computers at the moment.
It's time to upload our project to github!
Putting your code on github confers a number of benefits:
- Everything is backed up for you.
- Your project is made available to others. This is a vital part of modern scientific dissemination.
- Github has a range of project management and collaboration tools that work on a per-project basis.
- Your github profile can be used as part of your online-identity.
Creating a new repository on github
- Log into github and go to your profile page. On the repositories tab, click New
At the Create a new repository screen, give your repo a name and click Create Repository.
The Quick Setup screen gives sets of git commands that can be used in various circumstances. We are interested in …or push an existing repository from the command line. Copy these commands to the clipboard
In RStudio, navigate to the git tab and click on More -> Shell
Paste the git commands into the Shell and press Enter to execute them.
Confirm that the project has been uploaded to your git profile.