what is projects in github

3 min read 09-12-2024

GitHub Projects is a powerful tool for managing and organizing your work, whether you're collaborating on a large open-source project or tackling a personal coding endeavor. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about GitHub Projects, from its basic functionalities to advanced features.

Understanding GitHub Projects: More Than Just Code

GitHub, known primarily for its version control system (Git), also offers a robust project management system. Unlike directly managing code within repositories, GitHub Projects lets you manage tasks, issues, and milestones related to your repositories—or even across multiple repositories. Think of it as a flexible Kanban board integrated directly into your workflow. This allows for better organization, improved collaboration, and streamlined development processes.

Key Features of GitHub Projects

GitHub Projects offers a flexible and customizable approach to project management. Key features include:

Kanban-style boards: Visualize your workflow with cards representing tasks, issues, or other items. These cards can be moved across columns representing different stages of your project (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done).
Customizable columns: Create columns tailored to your project's specific needs. You're not limited to predefined stages; you can define columns to reflect your workflow precisely.
Card assignments and labels: Assign cards to team members and add labels to categorize and prioritize tasks. This facilitates clear task ownership and efficient prioritization.
Integration with issues and pull requests: Directly link project cards to GitHub issues and pull requests, establishing a seamless connection between project management and code development.
Multiple views: Choose between different views like board, table, and calendar views, depending on your preferences and the information you want to highlight.

Creating and Using a GitHub Project

Creating a project is straightforward:

Navigate to your repository: Go to the GitHub repository you wish to manage with Projects.
Access Projects: Look for the "Projects" tab, usually found near the top of the repository page.
Create a new project: Click the "New project" button. Choose a project name and select a project template (Kanban, Table, or Custom).
Add cards: Create cards, either manually or by automatically linking existing issues or pull requests.
Customize columns: Adjust column names to reflect your workflow stages.
Assign tasks and labels: Assign cards to team members and add labels for better organization and prioritization.
Collaborate: Work with your team to manage the project, move cards across columns, and update progress.

Different Project Views: Board, Table, and Calendar

GitHub Projects offers three distinct views to suit different management styles:

Board view (Kanban): This is the default view, offering a visual representation of your workflow using cards and columns. Ideal for tracking progress and visualizing bottlenecks.
Table view: Provides a tabular representation of your cards, allowing for more detailed information to be displayed in each row. Useful for tracking specific attributes or data associated with each task.
Calendar view: Displays your project tasks on a calendar, providing a timeline view of your project. Helpful for scheduling and tracking deadlines.

Advanced Features and Integrations

GitHub Projects integrates well with other GitHub features, such as:

GitHub Actions: Automate tasks related to your project, such as running tests or deploying code upon task completion.
GitHub Apps: Extend the functionality of GitHub Projects using various third-party applications.
API: For advanced users, you can use the GitHub API to integrate Projects with other tools and systems.

Conclusion: Streamlining Your Workflow with GitHub Projects

GitHub Projects offers a versatile and powerful project management system integrated seamlessly into your existing GitHub workflow. By leveraging its features, you can effectively manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team to achieve your project goals, regardless of its size or complexity. Remember to explore the different views and customization options to find the approach that best suits your team and project needs.