

Adding a license to a repository


In this article

If you include a detectable license in your repository, people who visit your repository will see it at the top of the repository page. To read the entire license file, click the license name.

A repository header with an MIT license

Open source licenses enable others to freely use, change, and distribute the project in your repository. For more information on repository licenses, see "Licensing a repository."

Including an open source license in your repository


  2. Above the list of files, click Create new file. "Create new file" button

  3. In the file name field, type LICENSE or (with all caps).

  4. On the Edit new file tab, paste the full text of the license you want to use.


  6. 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 main, you should choose to create a new branch for your commit and then create a pull request. For more information, see "Creating a pull request". Commit branch options

  7. Click Commit new file. Commit license to branch

Further reading