Managing Frontend and Backend in One GitHub Repo

Managing a full-stack project with both frontend and backend folders within a single GitHub repository is common. However, some developers find it tricky to push multiple folders from a single project to GitHub, especially when they want them organized in a way that makes collaboration and navigation easy. This guide covers the step-by-step process, focusing on VS Code settings to make sure you don’t accidentally exclude essential files and directories.

Table of Contents

1. Why Use a Single GitHub Repository for Full-Stack Projects?
2. Prerequisites for Pushing Multiple Folders to GitHub
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Push Multiple Folders to GitHub
4. Tips for Efficient Project Management with GitHub

1. Why Use a Single GitHub Repository for Full-Stack Projects?

Organizing a full-stack project into a single repository is advantageous for the following reasons:

• Streamlined Collaboration: Having both the frontend and backend code in a single repository makes it easier for teams to collaborate and manage dependencies.
• Consistent Project Structure: Developers and CI/CD pipelines can easily reference a single source for all application components.
• Easier Dependency Management: It simplifies the workflow when you are handling both frontend and backend dependencies for a full-stack project.

2. Prerequisites for Pushing Multiple Folders to GitHub

Before you begin, make sure:

• You have a GitHub account and a GitHub repository created for your project.
• Git is installed on your local machine.
• VS Code is set up as your text editor (optional but recommended for easier management).

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Push Multiple Folders to GitHub

To push multiple folders, like frontend and backend, to a single GitHub repository, follow these steps:

Step 1: Configure VS Code Settings

1. Open VS Code and go to Settings:

   • Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the bottom left corner of the screen and select Settings.

2. Configure the Text Editor Settings:

   • In Settings, go to Text Editor > Files.
   • Scroll down to the Files: Exclude section.
   • Ensure that the .git entry under Files: Exclude is not checked. This will make sure that Git tracks all necessary files, including hidden ones.

Step 2: Create Project Folders

In the root of your project directory, create two separate folders for your frontend and backend code. For example:

Each folder will hold its respective codebase:

• frontend/: Contains all frontend code, such as React or Angular files.
• backend/: Contains all backend code, like Node.js or Express files.

Step 3: Initialize Git in the Root Directory

Navigate to the root of your project directory in the terminal:

Initialize a Git repository:

Step 4: Add and Commit Changes

Add all files in the root directory to Git’s staging area:

Commit the changes:

Step 5: Link Your Repository to GitHub

If you haven’t already linked your local repository to GitHub, follow these steps:

1. Go to your GitHub account and create a new repository.
2. Copy the repository URL.

In your terminal, set the remote URL for Git:

Step 6: Push Changes to GitHub

Push the changes to your GitHub repository’s main branch:

Your full-stack project, including both the frontend and backend folders, is now live in a single GitHub repository.

4. Tips for Efficient Project Management with GitHub

• Branching Strategy: Consider using branches for frontend and backend changes separately, then merge them into the main branch when needed. This helps keep commits organized and makes collaboration smoother.
• Documentation: Use a README file in the root directory to document the structure of the repository, so collaborators know where to find frontend and backend code.
• Consistent Commit Messages: When working with a full-stack project, use consistent commit messages that indicate which part of the project the changes affect (e.g., [frontend] Add login page or [backend] Update API endpoint).

Conclusion

Pushing both frontend and backend folders to a single GitHub repository simplifies the management of your full-stack project. With the steps above, you can configure VS Code settings to ensure all files are properly tracked, organize your folders, initialize Git, and push everything to GitHub. This setup is ideal for effective version control, streamlined collaboration, and seamless project management in full-stack development.