Description
Set up and use GitHub for real work: repositories, branches, pull requests, issues, Projects, Actions, Copilot and Codespaces, security settings, with preparation for the GitHub Foundations (GH-900) exam.
Price$800Per person; GH-900 exam fee not included
Time8 course hoursOn-demand video and labs, plus 1 hour of coaching
DeliveryOn-demand asynchronous trainingWith online support and 1 hour of coaching
Exam preparationGH-900GitHub Foundations; exam not included
Your capstone, reviewed by a coach
You finish by taking one change from issue to protected merge in your own repository, and your coach reviews it with you, along with your practice assessment results. That review is part of earning your certificate.
Group coaching for teams
Each learner gets 1 hour of coaching. Teams pool their hours into group sessions, so a team of 6 shares 6 hours of group coaching.
About this course
GitHub is where software teams, and the AI tools they use, keep and review their work. This course takes you from no GitHub experience to working the way modern teams do: repositories with the right key files, the GitHub Flow of branches and pull requests, issues and Projects with automations, Actions checks, branch protection and account security, with GitHub Copilot and Codespaces along the way. The modules follow the skills measured for the GitHub Foundations (GH-900) exam, so the course also prepares you to take it. The exam is not included in the price.
Who it is for
This course is for anyone new to GitHub who works with software or the people who build it, including developers, analysts, QA staff, product owners, project managers, IT staff, and entrepreneurs and founders.
Prerequisites
Basic computer skills; no GitHub or coding experience is needed
Requirements
Any computer with a modern browser
A free GitHub account (GitHub Copilot Free and the Codespaces free monthly allowance cover the labs)
Labs use a public practice repository, since branch protection and GitHub Pages require a paid plan for private repositories; do not put employer code in it. Teams on a paid GitHub plan can use a private repository.
Exam
GitHub Foundations (GH-900). The course follows the skills measured for the exam as of January 2026 and prepares you to take it. The exam is not included in the course price; you register and pay for it through Microsoft Learn. Most learners add self-study and practice assessments before the exam.
What you will be able to do
- You will be able to create and organize repositories with README, LICENSE, CONTRIBUTING, CODEOWNERS and SECURITY files, and manage files, branches and commits.
- You will be able to collaborate through the GitHub Flow: branches, pull requests linked to issues, reviews, discussions and notifications.
- You will be able to configure GitHub Projects with layouts, labels, milestones and automated workflows.
- You will be able to add a GitHub Actions check, use GitHub Copilot for code suggestions and chat, and work in a Codespace.
- You will be able to secure accounts and repositories with two-factor authentication or passkeys, roles, visibility settings and branch protection rules.
Syllabus
1
Git and GitHub basics 1.5 hours
Version control and why it matters, Git compared with GitHub, Repositories, commits and branches, Accounts, organizations and enterprises, The GitHub Flow, Markdown.
Lab: You will create a repository, make commits with messages drafted by an AI assistant, and write a README in Markdown.
2
Working with repositories 1 hour
Key files: README, LICENSE, CONTRIBUTING, CODEOWNERS, SECURITY, Repository templates, Adding and managing files, Repository insights and dependency insights.
Lab: You will build a repository from a template, add its key files, and read its insights.
3
Collaborating with issues and pull requests 1.5 hours
Issues and issue templates, Pull requests linked to issues, Reviews and discussions, Notifications, Gists, wikis and GitHub Pages.
Lab: You will open an issue, fix it on a branch, link a pull request, review a pull request (from a teammate, or a provided one), and publish a page with GitHub Pages.
4
Managing work with GitHub Projects 1 hour
Project layouts, Labels and milestones, Built-in workflows, Saved replies and assignees, Project insights.
Lab: You will configure a Projects board with a custom field, labels, a milestone and an automation that moves cards when pull requests merge.
5
Actions, Copilot and Codespaces 1 hour
What GitHub Actions does, GitHub Copilot suggestions, chat, agents and agent mode, Copilot plans, Codespaces and dev containers, The github.dev editor.
Lab: You will add an Actions workflow that runs on every pull request, use Copilot Chat to explain a file, and open your repository in a Codespace.
6
Security, administration and the GitHub community 1 hour
Two-factor authentication and passkeys, Roles and permissions, Visibility and branch protection rules, Organization-wide Copilot policies, Forks, open source, InnerSource and the Marketplace.
Lab: You will turn on passkeys, set repository roles, and add a branch protection rule that requires a review and a passing check.
7
Capstone and exam readiness 1 hour
End-to-end GitHub Flow, GH-900 skills review, Practice assessment.
Lab: You will take one change from issue to protected merge, complete a practice assessment, and review your results with your coach.
+
Coaching sessions 1 hour
Your coach reviews your capstone with you and answers questions as you work. Teams pool their hours into group sessions, so a team of 6 shares 6 hours of group coaching.
How it is delivered
How you learn
On-demand asynchronous training with online support, plus 1 hour of coaching.
Live or in person
Live online or in-person sessions are available for an additional fee. Email admissions@wecancodeit.org for details.
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn GitHub as a beginner?
Start with a repository, small commits, and one branch per change merged through a pull request. This course walks through each step on your own repository, then adds issues, Projects, Actions and security.
Does this course prepare me for the GitHub Foundations certification?
Yes. The modules follow the skills measured for the GitHub Foundations (GH-900) exam, and the course ends with a practice assessment. The exam is not included; you register for it through Microsoft Learn.
Is the GH-900 exam fee included?
No. The course price covers the training, labs and coaching. You pay the exam fee separately when you register.
Where does AI come in?
You use GitHub Copilot for suggestions and chat, an AI assistant to draft commit messages and pull request descriptions, and you learn the Copilot plans and policies the exam covers.
What does the coaching include?
Each learner gets 1 hour of coaching. Your coach reviews your capstone with you and answers questions as you work through the labs. Teams pool their hours into group sessions, so a team of 6 shares 6 hours of group coaching.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
8 course hours of on-demand video and labs plus 1 hour of coaching, for $800 per person. The exam is extra.
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Enroll your team
One or a few learners
Choose the number of seats, add the course to your cart and check out.
A group, or a written quote
Send the form below for group enrollment or a written quote. We reply within one business day. You can also email admissions@wecancodeit.org.
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