Git and GitHub roadmap
Track changes with confidence, collaborate through pull requests, and recover from mistakes.
At a glance
- Stages5
- Steps21
- Core steps12
- Optional or alternative9
- Linked courses2
How to use this roadmap
Work through the stages in order. Core steps are the ones everyone on this path needs; optional steps add depth when you have time, and alternatives are other ways to the same skill, so pick one. Steps with a course link to a free course from LearnerMap Academy.
Members of LearnerMap Academy can mark each step as learning, done or skipped, and see how far along the path they are.
Getting started
Why version control
CoreSee what a history of snapshots gives you: undo, blame, and parallel work.
Setting up Git
CoreInstall Git and set your name, email and default editor.
Commits
CoreStage changes deliberately and write messages that explain why.
Ignoring files
CoreKeep build output and local secrets out of the repository.
Branching
Branches
CoreCreate cheap branches for each piece of work and switch between them.
Merging and conflicts
CoreBring work together and resolve conflicts calmly.
Rebasing
OptionalReplay commits on a new base for a linear history, and know when not to.
Stashing
OptionalSet unfinished changes aside to switch tasks quickly.
Remotes and GitHub
Remotes
CoreFetch, pull and push, and understand what each one changes locally.
SSH keys
CoreAuthenticate to GitHub without typing a password every time.
Forks
OptionalContribute to repositories where you cannot push directly.
GitHub CLI
OptionalOpen pull requests and check builds from the terminal.
Collaboration
Pull requests
CorePropose a focused change with context reviewers need.
Code review
CoreGive specific, kind feedback, and respond to it without taking it personally.
Issues
OptionalTrack bugs and ideas, and link them to the changes that close them.
Protected branches
OptionalRequire reviews and passing checks before anything reaches main.
Automation and recovery
Undoing changes
CoreAmend, restore, revert and find lost commits with the reflog.
GitHub Actions
CoreRun tests and checks on every push and pull request.
Finding regressions with bisect
OptionalBinary-search history to find the commit that broke something.
Git hooks
AlternativeRun local checks before commits and pushes instead of waiting for CI.
Signing commits
OptionalProve that commits really came from you.
Course: Secure CodingSigning your work (Pro Git)Commit signature verification (GitHub Docs)
Learning with LearnerMap Academy
LearnerMap Academy runs its learning on LearnerMap, a free platform for organisations. Every course here is free for members of LearnerMap Academy: sign in with the email address LearnerMap Academy knows you by, or with a passkey, and the course opens in your own plan.
Your plan holds at most 3 courses in progress at a time, so you finish what you start before pulling in the next one. Lessons open in order, your progress is saved as you complete each one, and every course ends with a quiz; passing it adds a certificate to your record.
Not a member yet? Ask LearnerMap Academy to invite you. Lesson content, quizzes and everyone’s progress stay private to members; these public pages show only what LearnerMap Academy chose to publish.