Version control with GitHub

Version Control with GitHub: Efficiently Managing PowerShell Scripts

Version control with GitHub is essential as soon as you start working with code, whether you develop alone or collaborate in a team. GitHub is one of the most powerful and accessible platforms for this purpose. In this blog, I’ll walk you through what GitHub is, why it’s so popular, and how you can easily manage PowerShell scripts using Visual Studio Code (VS Code). I’ll also show you how to connect VS Code to GitHub so you can get started right away.

What is it and why use it for version Control with GitHub

GitHub is an online platform built around Git, an open‑source version control system used by millions of developers worldwide. GitHub serves as a central place to store, share, and collaborate on code. You can manage different versions of your project, track changes, and always revert to an earlier version if needed.

GitHub also offers additional features on top of Git, such as:

• Online repository storage
• Issue tracking and project management
• Pull requests for code reviews
• Integrations with CI/CD tools
• Team collaboration

The platform is ideal for both personal projects and professional software development.

What else can you use it for besides version control with GitHub?

GitHub is versatile and supports almost every programming language. You can use it for:

• Managing code versions — in other words, version control
• Collaborating with other developers
• Documenting projects
• Automating workflows with GitHub Actions
• Contributing to open‑source projects

For PowerShell developers, GitHub is perfect for securely storing scripts, tracking changes, and collaborating on modules or automation projects.

Managing PowerShell scripts with Visual Studio Code to version control with GitHub

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight yet powerful code editor that works seamlessly with Git and GitHub. For PowerShell scripts, VS Code is ideal thanks to the PowerShell extension, syntax highlighting, and integrated terminal.

Step 1: Install the required extensions

Open VS Code and install:

• PowerShell extension (Microsoft)
• GitHub Pull Requests and Issues
• GitLens (optional but highly recommended for change insights)

Step 2: Create or open a PowerShell Project

You can open a new folder or clone an existing repository from GitHub.

Step 3: Use Git functionality in VS Code

VS Code has Git built in. You can:

• View changes
• Commit files
• Create branches
• Push and pull to GitHub

All of this happens from the Source Control panel on the left.

Connecting VS Code to GitHub

To connect VS Code with GitHub, follow these steps:

1. Install Git Locally

GitHub runs on Git, so you need Git installed on your computer. Download it from git-scm.com and install it.

2. Sign In via VS Code

Go to: View → Command Palette → GitHub: Sign in

VS Code opens a browser window where you confirm GitHub access. Note: Once you’ve signed in, this option disappears because you’re already logged in.

3. Clone or create a Repository

You can now:

• Clone an existing GitHub repository
• Create a new repository from VS Code
• Publish a local folder to GitHub

4. Set up SSH or HTTPS

GitHub supports both HTTPS and SSH connections. SSH is more secure and prevents you from having to enter passwords repeatedly.

5. Commit and push

From now on, you can directly from VS Code:

• Commit changes
• Manage branches
• Push to GitHub
• Open pull requests

Why this workflow is ideal for version control

For PowerShell developers, the combination of GitHub + VS Code offers:

• Hassle‑free version control
• Secure script storage
• Smooth collaboration with colleagues
• Automation through GitHub Actions
• Clear and structured code reviews

You work faster, safer, and more professionally.

Conclusion: version control with GitHub

In short, version control with GitHub is a powerful way to manage PowerShell scripts and other code projects. By connecting GitHub to Visual Studio Code, you create a modern, efficient workflow that makes collaboration easy, tracks changes, and keeps your projects secure. With the right setup, you can have a professional development environment running in minutes.

For more information about GitHub, you can visit the link here. The video also gives a great explanation of what GitHub is:

Bonus: Git Commands (Version Control)

Below is a table with commands you can run from the VS Code terminal.

Purpose	Command	Description
Initialize repository	git init	Creates a new local Git repository.
View status	git status	Shows modified, staged, and unstaged files.
Add files	git add .	Stages all changes.
Add specific file	git add	Stages only that file.
Create commit	git commit -m "message"	Saves changes with a commit message.
View commit history	git log --oneline	Compact overview of commits.
Show branches	git branch	Lists all local branches.
Create new branch	git branch	Creates a new branch.
Switch branch	git checkout	Switches to another branch.
Create + switch branch	git checkout -b	Creates and opens a new branch.
Add remote	git remote add origin	Links your repo to GitHub.
Push to GitHub	git push -u origin main	Sends commits to GitHub.
Pull from GitHub	git pull	Retrieves the latest changes.
Show file differences	git diff	Shows what has changed.
Show staged differences	git diff --staged	Shows differences in staged files.
Remove remote	git remote remove origin	Unlinks the GitHub repository.

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