The fastest way: use the green Code button
Open the repository page in your browser, look for the green Code button near the top right, and click it. You will see three options: HTTPS, SSH, and Download ZIP. For most people, Download ZIP is the simplest choice — it downloads the entire repository as a single compressed file that you can extract on your computer like any other zip file.
If you want to keep the repository updated as the owner makes changes, or if you plan to contribute back to the project, use HTTPS or SSH instead. These methods download the repository using Git, a version control tool that tracks changes and lets you pull updates later. HTTPS works immediately if you have Git installed; SSH requires you to set up keys first, which takes longer but is more secure for frequent use.
Key Takeaways
- Click the green Code button on any GitHub repository page and select Download ZIP to get the files as a compressed folder you can extract immediately.
- Use HTTPS or SSH if you want to update the repository later or contribute changes, but this requires Git to be installed on your computer.
- HTTPS is faster to set up; SSH is more secure if you plan to push changes back to GitHub regularly.
- After downloading, you have a copy of the code on your computer that works independently of GitHub.
Downloading as a ZIP file (no Git required)
The ZIP method is the quickest if you just want the code and do not plan to update it. Navigate to the repository, click the green Code button, and select Download ZIP. Your browser will download a file named something like repository-name-main.zip.
Open your file manager (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac, or your Linux file manager), find the downloaded zip file, and double-click it to extract. You now have a folder containing all the repository files. You can open them in any text editor or IDE, run the code, or read the documentation — but you will not receive updates if the repository owner makes changes later.
Cloning with HTTPS (easier setup)
Cloning creates a live link between your local copy and GitHub, so you can pull updates whenever you want. First, make sure Git is installed on your computer. On Windows, download it from git-scm.com. On Mac, you can install it through Homebrew or download from the same site. On Linux, use your package manager (for example, sudo apt install git on Ubuntu).
Once Git is installed, go to the repository page, click the green Code button, and copy the HTTPS URL (it looks like https://github.com/username/repository-name.git). Open your terminal or command prompt, navigate to the folder where you want to store the repository, and type git clone followed by the URL you copied. Git will download the entire repository and create a folder with all the files.
Later, if you want to pull the latest changes from GitHub, open your terminal in that folder and type git pull. This updates your local copy without downloading everything again.
Cloning with SSH (more secure for regular use)
SSH is more secure than HTTPS for people who push changes back to GitHub frequently, but it requires setup. You need to generate an SSH key pair on your computer and add the public key to your GitHub account. This is a one-time process.
On Windows, Mac, or Linux, open your terminal and type ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com". Press Enter to accept the default file location, then press Enter twice more to skip the passphrase (or enter one if you want extra security). This creates two files: a private key (which stays on your computer) and a public key (which you upload to GitHub).
Go to GitHub, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, then SSH and GPG keys, and click New SSH key. Give it a name like "My Laptop", then open the public key file on your computer (usually in a hidden folder called .ssh, in a file called id_ed25519.pub), copy the entire contents, and paste it into GitHub. Save it.
Now you can clone using SSH. On the repository page, click the green Code button, select SSH, and copy the URL (it looks like git@github.com:username/repository-name.git). In your terminal, type git clone followed by that URL. From now on, you can push and pull without entering your password each time.
What to do after you download
Once you have the repository on your computer, the next step depends on what it is. If it is a software project, look for a file called README.md — this usually explains what the project does and how to run it. Some projects need you to install dependencies first (libraries or tools the code depends on). The README will tell you how.
If you cloned with Git and want to make changes, create a new branch first by typing git checkout -b your-branch-name. This keeps your changes separate from the main code. After you make changes, you can commit them locally with git add . and git commit -m "description of changes". If you want to send those changes back to the original repository, you push to your branch and open a pull request on GitHub — but that is a separate process.
Choosing between ZIP, HTTPS, and SSH
| Method | Best for | Setup time | Can receive updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download ZIP | Reading code, one-time use, no Git installed | 30 seconds | No — manual download needed |
| HTTPS clone | Staying updated, occasional contributions | 5 minutes (Git install) + 1 minute (clone) | Yes — git pull updates automatically |
| SSH clone | Regular contributions, pushing changes often | 10 minutes (key setup) + 1 minute (clone) | Yes — git pull updates automatically |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a private repository?
Only if you have permission. GitHub will ask you to log in when you try to access a private repository. If you have been given access, you can download it the same way as a public one — ZIP, HTTPS, or SSH all work. If you do not have access, you will see a 404 error.
What if I download the ZIP but the files look corrupted or incomplete?
Make sure the zip file finished downloading before you extracted it. If the download was interrupted, delete the zip file and try again. If extraction fails, try using a different tool — Windows has a built-in extractor, but third-party tools like 7-Zip sometimes work better with files from GitHub.
Do I need to be logged into GitHub to download a public repository?
No. Public repositories can be downloaded by anyone without logging in. Private repositories require you to log in and have permission from the owner.
Can I download only part of a repository?
Not easily with the standard methods. If you only need a few files, you can browse the repository on GitHub, click each file, and download them individually. For a cleaner approach, use a tool like sparse checkout with Git, but that requires command-line knowledge beyond the basics.
What is the difference between downloading and forking?
Downloading gives you a copy of the code on your computer. Forking creates your own copy of the entire repository on GitHub under your account, which you can then clone. Fork if you plan to contribute changes back to the original project; download if you just want to use or study the code.