7 Best-Selling GitHub Books Millions Trust

Explore best-selling GitHub books authored by leading experts, offering practical guidance and validated methods for developers and teams.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love—especially when it comes to mastering GitHub, the backbone of modern software collaboration. Millions rely on GitHub every day to build, review, and ship code efficiently. Understanding it deeply matters more than ever as teams grow distributed and workflows become more complex.

These 7 books stand out for their authoritative insights and practical approach. Authored by seasoned professionals like Peter Bell from the GitHub training team and Microsoft MVP Chaminda Chandrasekara, they cover everything from non-technical introductions to advanced CI/CD automation. Their proven frameworks have shaped how countless developers and teams leverage GitHub effectively.

While these popular books provide time-tested frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific GitHub needs might consider creating a personalized GitHub book that combines these validated approaches into a unique learning path.

Best for non-technical users and beginners
Peter Bell is a contract member of the GitHub training team and founder of speakgeek.co, with extensive experience delivering enterprise training on lean product development, NoSQL, and devOps. His deep involvement with GitHub and numerous industry conferences underscores his expertise, making this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand and use GitHub without a technical background.
Introducing GitHub: A Non-Technical Guide book cover

by Peter Bell, Brent Beer··You?

2014·139 pages·GitHub, Collaboration, Project Management, Version Control, Pull Requests

When Peter Bell, a key member of the GitHub training team and founder of speakgeek.co, put together this guide, he aimed to demystify GitHub for non-technical users. You’ll learn how to navigate GitHub’s web interface to participate in projects, review code, and suggest changes without needing to master its complex command-line tools. The book walks you through practical tasks like using issues, pull requests, and branches, making it a perfect fit if you’re a project manager, stakeholder, or a developer just starting out. Chapters break down collaboration workflows clearly, helping you understand how teams communicate and track progress on GitHub. If you want a straightforward introduction that skips the jargon and focuses on using GitHub effectively, this fits the bill.

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Best for developers customizing workflows
Chris Dawson comes from a family of public school teachers and has worked at notable tech companies like Apple and RealNetworks, living across three continents. His deep experience with diverse tech communities and passion for GitHub shines through this book, which guides you in building custom software tools that transform your GitHub workflow. The book reflects his unique blend of teaching insight and practical development expertise, making it a valuable resource for developers seeking to push GitHub's capabilities further.
2016·299 pages·GitHub, Version Control, API Integration, Automation, Tool Building

Unlike most GitHub books that focus on basic usage, Chris Dawson and Ben Straub dive into crafting custom tools using GitHub's API to tailor workflows precisely to your needs. You'll find detailed projects like building a Ruby server with Octokit, automating pull request reviews with Hubot, and creating a blog via Jekyll, each chapter revealing practical tradeoffs and integration strategies. This book is ideal if you're an experienced developer aiming to extend GitHub's capabilities beyond out-of-the-box features, offering hands-on insights into real-world application building. While it demands some programming knowledge, the clear examples empower you to harness GitHub technologies creatively and effectively.

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Best for personal collaboration plans
This AI-created book on GitHub mastery is tailored to your skill level and specific goals in team collaboration and project management. You share your experience and which GitHub features you want to focus on, and the book is crafted to cover exactly what you need. This personalized approach ensures you get targeted knowledge on workflows, project boards, and automation that matches your interests, making your learning efficient and directly applicable.
2025·50-300 pages·GitHub, GitHub Basics, Team Collaboration, Project Management, Workflow Automation

This personalized GitHub book explores in-depth strategies for effective team collaboration and project management using GitHub’s powerful tools. Tailored to your background and goals, it reveals how to harness GitHub workflows, pull requests, issue tracking, and project boards to streamline team efforts and enhance productivity. The book examines best practices for managing complex projects and integrating automation to support your unique collaboration style. By focusing on your specific interests, this tailored guide unlocks expert secrets to optimize communication and coordination within your development team, helping you master GitHub’s collaborative potential with confidence and clarity.

Tailored Content
Workflow Optimization
3,000+ Books Created
Best for mastering GitHub collaboration
GitHub Essentials - Second Edition by Achilleas Pipinellis offers a clear pathway into mastering GitHub's collaborative features. This book has gained notable popularity among developers seeking to deepen their understanding of version control and project management through GitHub's platform. It covers everything from repository creation to managing teams and leveraging GitHub Pages, making it a useful resource for both novices and experienced coders aiming to improve their workflow and collaborative projects.
GitHub Essentials - Second Edition book cover

by Achilleas Pipinellis·You?

2018·178 pages·GitHub, Software Development, Collaboration, Version Control, Issue Tracking

Achilleas Pipinellis approaches GitHub not just as a tool but as a collaborative ecosystem essential for modern software development. This book walks you through practical skills like creating repositories, managing issue trackers, and leveraging GitHub's wiki and pull request features with clear examples and screenshots. You'll learn team and organization management, plus how to build project communities and even host web pages via GitHub. Whether you're new to Git or looking to deepen your workflow knowledge, this guide lays out exactly how to harness GitHub's capabilities for effective project collaboration.

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Best for testers integrating automation
Anand Hooda is a recognized expert in software testing and automation, with extensive experience in the field. He has authored multiple books focused on testing methodologies and tools, helping professionals enhance their skills and knowledge in software development and quality assurance. His expertise underpins this focused guide on integrating Selenium with GitHub, providing you with clear, practical instructions to manage your testing code efficiently within modern development workflows.
2020·24 pages·GitHub, Selenium, Software Development, Automation Testing, Version Control

Anand Hooda, an experienced automation and software testing specialist, developed this guide to bridge a frequent gap for testers new to integrating Selenium with GitHub. You’ll learn practical steps such as creating repositories, establishing system connections, generating SSH keys for authentication, and managing code pushes and pulls. The book’s concise 24 pages focus tightly on these essential workflows, making it suited for testers and developers aiming to streamline their automation code versioning without extraneous detail. If you’re seeking a straightforward manual that gets you hands-on with Selenium and GitHub together, this book fits the bill, though it’s less suited for readers wanting broader coverage of either tool.

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Best for learning Git basics clearly
This guide demystifies the core functions of Git and GitHub, focusing on essential skills like initializing repositories, handling branches, and authenticating via SSH. Its step-by-step explanations help you navigate hosting static websites and collaborating on projects, making it a practical resource for newcomers seeking to build confidence with these tools.
2018·40 pages·GitHub, Git, Version Control, Repository Management, Branching

What started as a straightforward manual quickly becomes a clear roadmap for anyone eager to master Git and GitHub fundamentals. Jerry N. P. breaks down complex tasks like setting up SSH authentication and managing repository collaborators into manageable, understandable steps. You’ll learn not just how to create and merge branches, but also how to host static websites on GitHub and make your code citable—features often overlooked in basic guides. This book suits those new to version control or developers seeking a concise refresher without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for rapid CI/CD mastery
This AI-created book on GitHub automation is crafted specifically around your experience level and goals. By sharing your background and what aspects of GitHub Actions you want to master, you receive a tailored guide focused on building and deploying workflows within 30 days. This customized approach helps you skip irrelevant content and concentrate on the practical steps you need to automate your CI/CD pipelines effectively.
2025·50-300 pages·GitHub, GitHub Actions, Workflow Automation, CI/CD Basics, Custom Workflows

This tailored book explores the step-by-step journey to mastering GitHub Actions within 30 days, focusing on building and deploying automated workflows that fit your unique background and goals. It covers the essentials of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), workflow configuration, and automation techniques that align with your specific interests. By concentrating content on what matters most to you, this personalized guide reveals practical ways to streamline software development processes, enhance collaboration, and speed up deployment cycles. It combines proven knowledge with a custom approach, making complex automation accessible and actionable for your level of expertise.

Tailored Guide
Automation Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for DevOps CI/CD automation
Chaminda Chandrasekara, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional and Cloud Development and DevOps Architect, leverages his deep involvement in Microsoft forums and open source contributions to craft this guide. His track record of six published titles with Apress and active role in community-driven tools position him uniquely to explain GitHub Actions clearly. Driven by his belief in continuous software lifecycle improvement, he delivers a resource tailored to DevOps professionals seeking to master CI/CD with GitHub.
2021·180 pages·Continuous Integration, CI/CD, GitHub, Workflow Automation, Custom Actions

Chaminda Chandrasekara brings his extensive expertise as a Microsoft MVP and Cloud Development and DevOps Architect to this focused guide on GitHub Actions. You’ll learn how to implement CI/CD workflows tailored for any application, with detailed explanations of workflow variables, tokens, artifacts, caching, and runner setups. The book walks you through creating custom actions and integrating service containers like Redis and PostgreSQL, culminating in managing GitHub apps and syntax essentials. If you’re part of a DevOps team aiming to streamline your deployment cycles with GitHub’s native automation tools, this book offers practical insights without fluff or unnecessary complexity.

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Best for web devs building desktop apps
Electron: From Beginner to Pro offers a focused look at how developers can take their existing web skills and build fully functional desktop applications across major operating systems using GitHub's Electron framework. This book has gained attention for its practical approach, guiding you through key processes like packaging, auto-updating, and integrating native OS features. It’s a solid choice if you want to extend web apps into desktop environments, providing a clear path from browser-based code to cross-platform desktop software.
2017·282 pages·Desktop Development, GitHub, Cross Platform, Node.js, JavaScript

This isn't another GitHub book promising quick fixes; Chris Griffith and Leif Wells dig into how you can transform your web development skills into building real desktop applications using Electron. You get hands-on insights into blending Node.js with Chromium to create apps that run on macOS, Windows, and Linux, including how to handle native menus, dialogs, and file system access. The book walks you through packaging your apps for distribution and enabling auto-updates, which is crucial for real-world deployment. If you're a web developer eager to expand beyond browsers or want to leverage existing web apps on desktop environments, this book offers clear, practical guidance without fluff.

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Popular GitHub Strategies, Personalized

Get proven GitHub methods tailored to your specific needs and workflow.

Targeted learning paths
Practical GitHub tips
Customized workflow plans

Trusted by thousands of GitHub enthusiasts worldwide

GitHub Mastery Blueprint
30-Day GitHub Accelerator
Strategic GitHub Foundations
GitHub Success Formula

Conclusion

Together, these 7 books highlight clear themes: practical collaboration techniques, workflow customization, and automation mastery. They offer proven frameworks validated by widespread adoption and expert authorship.

If you prefer proven methods, start with "Introducing GitHub" and "GitHub Essentials" for solid foundations. For validated approaches in automation and tool-building, combine "Hands-on GitHub Actions" and "Building Tools with GitHub."

Alternatively, you can create a personalized GitHub book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering GitHub.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Introducing GitHub" for a clear, non-technical overview. It lays a solid foundation before moving to more advanced topics like automation or tool building.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to GitHub?

Not at all. Books like "Introducing GitHub" and "Git and Github Guide" cater specifically to beginners, breaking down concepts without jargon.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books, then explore specialized ones like "Building Tools with GitHub" or "Hands-on GitHub Actions" to deepen your skills.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on relevance rather than age. For example, "GitHub Essentials" is recent and practical, while "Introducing GitHub" remains a trusted classic for beginners.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your goals—foundations, automation, or testing. But combined, they offer a broad, validated perspective on GitHub.

How can I get GitHub learning tailored to my experience and goals?

Yes! While expert books provide great methods, personalized GitHub books tailor content to your needs, blending proven strategies with your unique context. Try creating your custom GitHub book to maximize learning efficiency.

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