How to Add a New User to a GitHub Repository?

Collaborating on a project through GitHub often involves adding new contributors to your repository. GitHub makes it simple to grant access to specific individuals, enabling them to collaborate on your codebase effectively.

This blog outlines the steps to add a new user to a GitHub repository, including considerations for different repository types and access levels.

Prerequisites

1. Repository Ownership: You must be the repository owner or have admin permissions to add users to a repository.
2. GitHub Account: Ensure the new user has a GitHub account.

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Steps to Add a New User to a GitHub Repository

1. Open Your Repository

1. Go to GitHub and log in to your account.
2. Navigate to the repository where you want to add a new user.

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2. Access the Repository Settings

1. Click the Settings tab in the top-right corner of the repository page.
   • If you don’t see the Settings tab, you may not have sufficient permissions.

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3. Navigate to Manage Access

1. In the Settings menu, click Manage Access on the left-hand side.
2. If prompted, confirm your identity using GitHub’s verification process.

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4. Invite a Collaborator

1. Click the Invite a Collaborator button.
2. In the text box, enter the username or email address of the user you want to add.
3. Select the correct user from the dropdown list that appears.

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5. Set the User’s Access Level

GitHub allows you to assign specific roles to collaborators:

• Read: Allows the user to view and clone the repository but not make changes.
• Write: Grants permission to push changes and manage issues/pull requests.
• Admin: Provides full control over the repository, including managing settings and collaborators.
• Maintain: A subset of admin privileges focused on project maintenance.
• Triage: Limited to managing issues and pull requests.

Choose the appropriate role based on the user’s responsibilities and click Add.

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6. Notify the New User

The invited user will receive an email notification or a GitHub notification with a link to accept the invitation.

1. Ask the user to check their email or GitHub notifications.
2. Once they accept the invitation, they’ll gain access to the repository based on the assigned permissions.

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Special Considerations

For Private Repositories

• Only invited users can view or access private repositories.
• Ensure the user’s role aligns with the sensitivity of the project.

For Organizations

If the repository belongs to an organization:

1. Navigate to the Organization Settings > Members.
2. Add the user to a team with appropriate repository access.

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Best Practices

1. Grant Minimum Required Permissions
   Assign roles that match the user’s responsibilities to avoid unintended changes.
2. Review Collaborator Access Regularly
   Periodically review and remove inactive collaborators to maintain repository security.
3. Use Branch Protection Rules
   Set up branch protection to ensure code quality, even for users with write access.
4. Document Contributor Guidelines
   Provide contributors with a clear guide on how to interact with the repository, including coding standards and pull request workflows.

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Conclusion

Adding a new user to a GitHub repository is an essential part of collaboration, allowing teams to work together efficiently. By following the steps in this guide and adhering to best practices, you can securely manage access to your repositories and foster a productive development environment.