GitHub Launch
GitHub was officially launched in April 2008 by Tom Preston-Werner, Chris Wanstrath, PJ Hyett, and Scott Chacon. The platform provided a web-based interface for Git repositories, making it easier for developers to collaborate on code.
2008
2009
GitHub Reaches 100,000 Users
By July 2009, GitHub had grown rapidly, reaching 100,000 users. This milestone demonstrated the platform's popularity and the growing adoption of Git for version control.
2010
In 2010, GitHub introduced Organizations, allowing teams to collaborate under a shared workspace, improving project management and collaboration for businesses and open-source projects.
2011
GitHub Reaches 1 Million Repositories
GitHub achieved another significant milestone in 2011 by hosting over 1 million repositories, showcasing its role as a central hub for software development.
2012
GitHub for Windows Launched
In 2012, GitHub released GitHub for Windows, making it easier for Windows users to interact with Git repositories through a graphical interface.
2013
GitHub Enterprise Launched
GitHub Enterprise was launched in 2013, providing self-hosted GitHub instances for companies that required more control over their infrastructure and data.
2014
GitHub Achieves 10 Million Users
By 2014, GitHub had reached 10 million users, solidifying its position as the leading platform for collaborative software development.
2015
GitHub Sponsors Program Launched
In 2015, GitHub introduced the GitHub Sponsors program, allowing users to financially support open-source developers and maintainers directly through the platform.
2016
GitHub Marketplace Launched
The GitHub Marketplace was launched in 2016, offering developers a place to discover and purchase tools that integrate with GitHub to enhance their workflows.
2017
GitHub Desktop Rebranded
GitHub Desktop was rebranded and relaunched in 2017, providing a refined and user-friendly interface for managing Git repositories on both Windows and macOS.
2018
Microsoft Acquires GitHub
In 2018, Microsoft announced its acquisition of GitHub for $7.5 billion. The acquisition was completed in October, with GitHub continuing to operate independently under CEO Nat Friedman.
2019
GitHub Actions Launched
GitHub Actions was launched in 2019, providing developers with powerful automation and CI/CD capabilities directly within their GitHub repositories.
2020
GitHub Archive Program Announced
In 2020, GitHub announced the GitHub Archive Program, aimed at preserving open-source software for future generations by storing repositories in a long-term archive in the Arctic.
2021
GitHub Copilot Introduced
GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered code completion tool developed in collaboration with OpenAI, was introduced in 2021, providing developers with suggestions and code snippets to enhance productivity.
2022
In 2022, GitHub expanded the GitHub Sponsors program to include more countries and currencies, making it easier for developers worldwide to support open-source projects.
2023
GitHub Universe 2023 showcased new features and updates, including enhancements to GitHub Actions, security tools, and collaboration features, further solidifying GitHub's role in the developer community.
2024
GitHub Reaches 100 Million Users
By 2024, GitHub reached 100 million users, marking a significant milestone in its journey and reflecting its continued importance in the software development ecosystem.
