content/education/manage-coursework-with-github-classroom/teach-with-github-classroom/use-the-git-and-github-starter-assignment.md

---
title: Use the Git and GitHub starter assignment
intro: 'You can use the Git & {% data variables.product.company_short %} starter assignment to give students an overview of Git and {% data variables.product.company_short %} fundamentals.'
versions:
  fpt: '*'
permissions: 'Organization owners who are admins for a classroom can use Git & {% data variables.product.company_short %} starter assignments. {% data reusables.classroom.classroom-admins-link %}'
redirect_from:
  - /education/manage-coursework-with-github-classroom/use-the-git-and-github-starter-assignment
shortTitle: Starter assignment
---

The Git & {% data variables.product.company_short %} starter assignment is a pre-made course that summarizes the basics of Git and {% data variables.product.company_short %} and links students to resources to learn more about specific topics.

## Prerequisites

{% data reusables.classroom.assignments-classroom-prerequisite %}

## Creating the starter assignment

### If there are no existing assignments in the classroom

1. Sign into {% data variables.product.prodname_classroom_with_url %}.
1. Navigate to a classroom.
1. In the **{% octicon "repo" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="repo" %} Assignments** tab, click **Use starter assignment**.

### If there already are existing assignments in the classroom

1. Sign into {% data variables.product.prodname_classroom_with_url %}.
1. Navigate to a classroom.
1. In the **{% octicon "repo" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="repo" %} Assignments** tab, click the link in the blue banner.

## Setting up the basics for an assignment

Import the starter course into your organization, name your assignment, decide whether to assign a deadline, and choose the visibility of assignment repositories.

* [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
* [Creating the starter assignment](#creating-the-starter-assignment)
  * [If there are no existing assignments in the classroom](#if-there-are-no-existing-assignments-in-the-classroom)
  * [If there already are existing assignments in the classroom](#if-there-already-are-existing-assignments-in-the-classroom)
* [Setting up the basics for an assignment](#setting-up-the-basics-for-an-assignment)
  * [Importing the assignment](#importing-the-assignment)
  * [Naming the assignment](#naming-the-assignment)
  * [Assigning a deadline for an assignment](#assigning-a-deadline-for-an-assignment)
  * [Choosing a visibility for assignment repositories](#choosing-a-visibility-for-assignment-repositories)
* [Inviting students to an assignment](#inviting-students-to-an-assignment)
* [Next steps](#next-steps)
* [Further reading](#further-reading)

### Importing the assignment

To import the Git & {% data variables.product.github %} starter assignment into your organization, click **Import the assignment**.

### Naming the assignment

For an individual assignment, {% data variables.product.prodname_classroom %} names repositories by the repository prefix and the student's {% data variables.product.github %} username. By default, the repository prefix is the assignment title. For example, if you name an assignment "assignment-1" and the student's username on {% data variables.product.github %} is @octocat, the name of the assignment repository for @octocat will be `assignment-1-octocat`.

{% data reusables.classroom.assignments-type-a-title %}

### Assigning a deadline for an assignment

{% data reusables.classroom.assignments-guide-assign-a-deadline %}

{% data reusables.classroom.assignments-guide-make-cutoff-date %}

### Choosing a visibility for assignment repositories

The repositories for an assignment can be public or private. If you use private repositories, only the student can see the feedback you provide. Under "Repository visibility," select a visibility.

When you're done, click **Continue**. {% data variables.product.prodname_classroom %} will create the assignment and bring you to the assignment page.

## Inviting students to an assignment

{% data reusables.classroom.assignments-guide-invite-students-to-assignment %}

You can see whether a student has joined the classroom and accepted or submitted an assignment in the **All students** tab for the assignment. {% data reusables.classroom.assignments-to-prevent-submission %}

The Git & {% data variables.product.company_short %} starter assignment is only available for individual students, not for groups. Once you create the assignment, students can start work on the assignment.

## Next steps

* Make additional assignments customized to your course. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/education/manage-coursework-with-github-classroom/teach-with-github-classroom/create-an-individual-assignment), [AUTOTITLE](/education/manage-coursework-with-github-classroom/teach-with-github-classroom/create-a-group-assignment), and [AUTOTITLE](/education/manage-coursework-with-github-classroom/teach-with-github-classroom/reuse-an-assignment).

## Further reading

* [AUTOTITLE](/education/explore-the-benefits-of-teaching-and-learning-with-github-education/github-global-campus-for-teachers)
* [AUTOTITLE](/education/manage-coursework-with-github-classroom/teach-with-github-classroom/connect-a-learning-management-system-course-to-a-classroom)