How to add a Git remote

An existing local repository does not automatically know where you want to publish it.

First, check whether a remote already exists:

git remote -v

If there is no remote named origin, add one:

git remote add origin git@github.com:flaviocopes/myrepo.git

This stores the URL under the name origin. It does not contact GitHub and it does not push any commits.

Verify the configuration:

git remote get-url origin
git remote -v

If Git says remote origin already exists, stop and inspect its URL. Do not delete it blindly. If the repository moved and you intend to change the existing URL, use:

git remote set-url origin git@github.com:flaviocopes/myrepo.git

After adding a remote, git status still shows the same working tree and local branch. Network state changes only when you fetch or push.

Exercise: add a remote to a disposable repository, inspect .git/config, then use git remote remove origin. Confirm that removing the configuration does not delete local commits.