This version of GitHub Enterprise will be discontinued on This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2019-10-16. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Initializing an empty repository with a README

You can set up an empty repository by adding a README file.

  1. On GitHub Enterprise, navigate to the main page of the empty repository.

  2. To add a README file, under "Quick setup," click README.

    Link to create a README file in an empty repository

  3. In the new file editor window, add your README content. For more information on crafting a README, see "About READMEs."

    new content in new README file

  4. At the bottom of the page, type a short, meaningful commit message that describes the change you made to the file. You can attribute the commit to more than one author in the commit message. For more information, see "Creating a commit with multiple co-authors."

    Commit message for your change

  5. Below the commit message fields, decide whether to add your commit to the current branch or to a new branch. If your current branch is master, you should choose to create a new branch for your commit and then create a pull request. For more information, see "Creating a new pull request."

    Commit branch options

  6. Click Propose new file.

    Propose new file button

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