New to GitHub: How do I use the Projects section to manage my MERN project?

[samstudio-dev]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

Body

Hi everyone,

I'm new to GitHub and I'm currently working on a MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) project.

I'm confused about the Projects section on GitHub. I don't understand how it's meant to be used for a software project.

I'd like to know:

• Is GitHub Projects intended for project management only, or is it also used to upload my project files?
• If anyone has a simple workflow or beginner-friendly example, I'd really appreciate it.

I've searched through the documentation, but I'm still having trouble understanding how everything fits together.

Thank you in advance for your guidance!

[TheJudge26]

GitHub Repositories: This is where your code lives. You will use Git to upload (push) your actual MERN project files, folders (src, backend, frontend, etc.), and package configuration files here.

GitHub Projects: This is strictly a project management tool (similar to Trello or Jira). You do not upload any code files here. Instead, you use it to organize your to-do lists, plan your application's features, and track your development progress using digital boards or tables.

The best way to use GitHub Projects is to link it directly to your repository so your tasks automatically update alongside your code.

watch this will help

[hasheramin5-cyber]

From what I have learned so far, GitHub Projects is mainly for planning and tracking work rather than storing project files. I'm interested to hear how experienced developers integrate it into their daily workflow.

[RajGupta0510]

Think of GitHub Projects as a task management board, not a place to store your code.

Your project files (React, Node.js, MongoDB code, etc.) live in a GitHub repository. GitHub Projects helps you organize and track the work you're doing on that repository.

For example, if you're building a MERN app, your workflow could look like this:

• Create a repository and push your code there.
• Create a GitHub Project with columns like To Do, In Progress, and Done.
• Add tasks such as "Build Login Page," "Connect MongoDB," "Create JWT Authentication," or "Deploy Backend."
• As you work, move each task across the columns until it's completed.
• If you're using Issues, you can link them to your Project so each task is connected to your code and pull requests.

In short:

- Repository = Your source code
- Issues = Individual tasks or bugs
- Projects = A board to organize and track those tasks

When I first started, I also thought GitHub Projects was where you uploaded your project, but it's actually a project management tool that helps you plan and manage your development work.

[pira73br]

Short answer:

• Repository = where your MERN code files live (push with git)
• Projects = a task board (like Trello/Jira), NOT for uploading code

Simple beginner workflow for a MERN app:

1. Create a repository and push your code

   • frontend/ (React)
   • backend/ (Node/Express)
   • README, .gitignore, etc.

2. Create Issues for work items
   Examples:

   • Set up Express server
   • Connect MongoDB
   • Build login page
   • Add JWT auth
   • Deploy backend

3. Create a Project board
   Columns: Backlog → To Do → In Progress → Done

4. Add those Issues to the Project and move them as you work

5. Open a Pull Request for each task and link it with:
   Fixes #123

Summary:

• Repository = source code
• Issues = tasks/bugs
• Projects = board to track those tasks

If this helps, please mark as the accepted answer.

[HamiParsa]

Hi,

GitHub Projects = Project Management (NOT for code)

Code stays in Repositories

Projects are Kanban boards to track tasks (To Do → In Progress → Done)

Simple workflow:

Create a Project with 3 columns: To Do | In Progress | Done

Add tasks as cards (create Issues and link them)

Drag cards across columns as you work

That's it. Your MERN code stays in your repo – Projects just help you organize what to work on.

Hope that clears it up! 🙌

[Anupa095]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

Body

Hi everyone,

I'm new to GitHub and I'm currently working on a MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) project.

I'm confused about the Projects section on GitHub. I don't understand how it's meant to be used for a software project.

I'd like to know:

• Is GitHub Projects intended for project management only, or is it also used to upload my project files?
• If anyone has a simple workflow or beginner-friendly example, I'd really appreciate it.

I've searched through the documentation, but I'm still having trouble understanding how everything fits together.

Thank you in advance for your guidance!

Hi,

GitHub Projects is mainly a project management tool, not a place to upload your project files.

Your Repository is where you store your source code, documentation, images, and other project files. GitHub Projects is used to organize and track the work related to that repository.

A simple workflow could be:

1. Create a Repository and push your MERN project code.
2. Create Issues for features, bugs, or tasks (e.g., "Implement login page" or "Fix authentication bug").
3. Create a GitHub Project and add those issues to it.
4. Organize the issues into columns such as To Do, In Progress, and Done.
5. As you complete tasks, move the corresponding issues across the board until they are finished.

In short:

• Repository → Stores your project files and source code.
• Issues → Track bugs, features, and tasks.
• Projects → Help you plan, organize, and monitor the progress of your work.

This is the workflow commonly used by both individual developers and software teams.