How to upload PDFs or other files to GitHub?

 
Step 1: Prepare or create your GitHub repository
 

Before uploading any files, you need a repository on GitHub. You can create a new one or use an existing repository.

• Open your browser and go to https://github.com.
• Sign in or sign up for a free account if you don’t have one.
• Click the “New” button next to “Repositories” in your dashboard.
• Enter a repository name (for example, my-documents), optionally add a description, and choose public or private.
• Click “Create repository.”

 
Step 2: Choose the upload method – Web UI or Command Line
 

GitHub offers two main ways to upload files:

• Using the GitHub web interface (easiest for single or small files).
• Using Git on your local machine (better for multiple files or regular workflows).

 
Step 3: Upload files via the GitHub web interface
 

This method is ideal if you just want to drag and drop one or a few PDFs, images, or other files.

• Navigate to your repository on github.com.
• Click the Add file dropdown, then choose Upload files.
• Drag and drop your PDF (or other files) into the upload area, or click “choose your files” to browse.
• Wait for the upload to finish. You’ll see your files listed.
• Scroll down to the “Commit changes” form:

Commit message: Add project PDF
Description (optional): Uploading the project documentation PDF file.

• Make sure Commit directly to the main branch is selected (or choose a new branch).
• Click Commit changes.

Your PDF is now part of the repository. You can click the filename to view it directly in the browser.

 
Step 4: Upload files using Git on your local machine
 

This method uses the command line to manage files in bulk and track changes.

• Install Git if you haven’t already: download from https://git-scm.com/downloads and follow the installer instructions.
• Open a terminal (Command Prompt, PowerShell, Terminal.app, etc.).
• Clone your repository to your local machine. Replace username and my-documents with your details:

git clone https://github.com/username/my-documents.git

• Navigate into the repository folder:

cd my-documents

• Copy or move the PDF (or other files) into this folder. For example, on macOS or Linux:

cp ~/Downloads/myfile.pdf .

• Stage the file(s) for commit:

git add myfile.pdf

• Commit the changes with a meaningful message:

git commit -m "Add myfile.pdf documentation"

• Push your commit to GitHub:

git push origin main

Replace main with your default branch name if it’s different (for example, master).

 
Step 5: Verify the upload on GitHub
 

Once the push completes or your web UI commit finishes, return to your repository page on GitHub:

• Refresh the page if necessary.
• You should see your newly uploaded PDF or files in the file list.
• Click the file name to view it in the browser or get its URL for sharing.

 
Additional tips and best practices
 

• If you upload large files (>100 MB), GitHub will reject them. Consider using Git Large File Storage (LFS): git-lfs.github.com.
• Keep your repository organized by creating folders (directories) and uploading files into relevant subfolders.
• Use descriptive commit messages so others (and your future self) can understand why files were added or changed.
• Consider adding a .gitignore file if you have temporary or machine-generated files you don’t want to upload.