How to manage a GitHub project as a non-developer?

 

Step 1: Create Your GitHub Account and Configure Your Profile

 

To begin managing a GitHub project, you’ll need an account and a clear profile. Even as a non-developer, this ensures visibility and credibility.

• Visit github.com and click “Sign up”.
• Choose a unique username, enter your email, and set a strong password.
• Verify your email address via the link GitHub sends you.
• Click your avatar in the top-right corner, select “Settings”, and fill in Name, Bio, and social links.
• Optionally add a profile picture and enable two-factor authentication under “Security”.

 

Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the GitHub Interface and Key Concepts

 

Understanding GitHub’s UI and terminology helps you navigate and manage projects effectively.

• Repositories: Containers for project files and history.
• Issues: Track tasks, enhancements, and bugs.
• Pull Requests (PRs): Proposals to merge content changes.
• Wiki: Documentation section inside a repository.
• Projects: Kanban-style boards to plan and track work.

 

Step 3: Create or Join a Repository for Your Project

 

Repositories (repos) are where all project files and conversations live.

• Click the + > New repository button in the top-right corner.
• Enter a Repository name, optional Description, choose Public or Private, then click “Create repository”.
• To join an existing repo, request an admin to add you as a collaborator under Settings > Manage access.

 

Step 4: Set Up Project Management Using Issues

 

Issues are at the core of GitHub project management; they let you track tasks and discussions.

• Navigate to the Issues tab in your repository.
• Click “New issue”.
• Provide a clear Title and detailed Description. Use templates if available.
• Assign the issue to team members, add labels, and link a milestone if needed.

gh issue create \\
  --title "Draft project roadmap" \\
  --body "Outline major phases, deadlines, and responsibilities"

 

Step 5: Organize Workflow with GitHub Projects (Kanban Boards)

 

Use GitHub Projects to visualize tasks in a board layout (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done).

• Go to the Projects tab and click “New project”.
• Choose a template (Basic Kanban, Automated Kanban, etc.).
• Customize columns by adding or renaming them (Backlog, In Progress, Review, Done).
• Drag and drop issues or pull requests into columns to reflect their status.

 

Step 6: Define Labels, Milestones, and Issue Templates

 

Consistent labeling and templates streamline workflow and communication.

• Under Issues > Labels, click “New label” to create categories like Bug, Enhancement, Documentation.
• Go to Issues > Milestones, click “New milestone” to set version targets or major deadlines.
• Create issue templates via .github/ISSUE\_TEMPLATE/ directory in your repo for reports, feature requests, etc.

# .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
---
name: "Feature request"
about: "Suggest an idea for this project"
title: "[Feature]"
labels: enhancement
---

**Describe the solution you'd like**  
A clear and concise description of what you want to happen.

 

Step 7: Track Progress with Milestones and Roadmaps

 

Milestones group issues under a common goal or release.

• Click on a milestone to see its progress bar and linked issues.
• Regularly review open vs. closed issues to gauge completion.
• Use the milestone description to outline deliverables and timelines.

 

Step 8: Collaborate by Managing Issues and Pull Requests

 

Even without coding, you can review content changes, leave feedback, and merge approved work.

• In the Pull requests tab, click a PR to review changes.
• Use the “Files changed” view to comment on specific lines or sections.
• Add review Status (Approve, Request changes, or Comment).
• Once approved and testing is done, click “Merge pull request” and confirm.

 

Step 9: Automate Routine Tasks with GitHub Actions and Integrations

 

Leverage automation to reduce manual steps and ensure consistency.

• Browse prebuilt workflows under Actions for CI/CD checks, notifications, or labeling.
• Set up integrations with Slack, Trello, or Zapier in Settings > Webhooks & services.
• Use simple workflow YAML to automate issue labeling or stale issue cleanup.

# .github/workflows/labeler.yml
name: "Auto Label Issues"
on:
  issues:
    types: [opened]
jobs:
  add-label:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
    - uses: actions/labeler@v3
        with:
          repo-token: "${{ secrets.GITHUB\_TOKEN }}"
          configuration-path: .github/labeler.yml

 

Step 10: Communicate and Document Your Project

 

Clear communication and documentation help all stakeholders stay aligned.

• Use the Wiki tab or a dedicated README.md file for project overview, setup guides, and contribution steps.
• Maintain a CHANGELOG.md to record feature additions and fixes.
• Tag releases via Releases to bundle stable versions with release notes.
• Use Discussions (if enabled) for brainstorming, Q&A, and community engagement.

 

Step 11: Maintain and Evaluate Project Health

 

Regular reviews keep your project on track and sustainable.

• Monitor the Insights tab for contributor activity, dependencies, and security alerts.
• Archive or close stale issues and repositories when they’re no longer active.
• Gather stakeholder feedback periodically through Issues or Discussions.
• Refine processes, labels, and workflows based on retrospectives or performance metrics.