10 Must-Follow GitHub Repositories for Developers of All Levels

Navigating through GitHub’s vast universe of over 200 million repositories, it can be quite a challenge to uncover staple resources or hidden outlying gems. Understanding this struggle, I’ve taken the liberty of handpicking the top choices you should follow, whether you’re a seasoned pro or an aspiring beginner.

The curation covers a wide array of topics, ranging from computer science and programming to career development and industry insights. So, let’s dive into this treasure trove of repositories and enrich your developer toolkit.

Open Source Society University

Open Source Society University is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to embark on a free, self-taught education in computer science. This repository outlines a comprehensive curriculum covering everything from the fundamentals of programming to advanced topics like operating systems, databases, and artificial intelligence. OSSU offers a structured learning experience, complete with a list of recommended courses, textbooks, and resources from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Princeton, and MIT. It’s a goldmine for anyone eager to broaden their horizons while being a part of a vibrant community.

Developer Roadmap

Want to level up your skills or take your career to new heights? Look no further than the developer roadmap repo, filled with interactive roadmaps, guides, and a wealth of educational content. From frontend and backend development to DevOps, this repository provides an overview of the essential technologies and best practices you need to master. The neat thing about it is the continual updates, ensuring you’re always in the loop with the latest trends and advancements. Trust me, this is a resource you’ll want to keep close at hand.

The Algorithms

We know that mastering data structures and algorithms can be crucial for excelling in the field. That’s exactly why I included The Algorithms repo. Inside it, you’ll find 45 nested repositories, each focusing on a specific language. This personalized approach allows you to examine algorithm implementations in your preferred language, ensuring a more effective and enjoyable learning experience. In addition, the creators encourage community contributions, so if you’re up for the challenge, you can add your implementations and help others on their programming journey.

EbookFoundation’s Free Programming Books

Gone are the days when acquiring programming knowledge meant spending a fortune on textbooks. With EbookFoundation’s Free Programming Books, you’ll have access to an extensive collection of freely available programming books. Whether you’re seeking to learn Python, JavaScript, or Ruby, or delve into niche subjects like machine learning, game development, or ethical hacking, this repository has you covered. Quality reading material isn’t the only thing you’ll find here; I suggest you go through the selection of cheat sheets, podcasts, coding playgrounds, and free online courses supported in multiple languages.

sindresorhus’ Awesome

Enter Awesome, a one-stop source that curates extensive lists about all programming-related topics you can think of. Ranging from programming languages and frameworks to tools, libraries, and podcasts, you’ll discover high-quality resources to bolster your programming prowess. The collection is constantly growing, thanks to the continuous contributions of its community.

The Art of Command Line

Command line fluency is an invaluable skill, and The Art of Command Line is here to help you improve just that. This repository contains a condensed yet useful guide to mastering command-line skills, whether you’re working with Linux, macOS, or Windows. You’ll learn essential tips, tricks, and techniques that will streamline your workflow and make you more efficient at navigating your system.

GitHub’s .gitignore Templates

Seasoned pros will undoubtedly recognize the significance of a well-crafted .gitignore file. For that reason, I included this valuable collection of language-specific templates tailored to a wide variety of project types, including web development, mobile apps, machine learning, and game development.

These templates are designed to exclude common files and directories, such as build artifacts, cache files, and user-specific settings. Using a pre-built template from this repository can save you time and effort while your projects lose some of the unnecessary clutter.

Codecrafters’ Build Your Own X

Ready to take it to the next level and truly understand the technologies you use every day? The Build Your Own X repository is an excellent place if you want to learn by recreating them from scratch. The repo features a collection of tutorials that guide you through building your own versions of familiar tools like Git, Docker, and even a blockchain. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of underlying concepts and appreciate the intricacies involved, becoming a more well-rounded professional in the process.

Free for Dev

Free for Dev is a curated list of SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS offerings that provide free tiers, specifically for the needs of System Admins, DevOps, and infrastructure dev professionals. It encompasses diverse tools and services, including cloud platforms, databases, monitoring, and analytics solutions. I highly recommend checking it out, if you’re seeking to optimize and bootstrap your development process without breaking the bank.

Coding Interview University

Coding Interview University is an indispensable ally to help you ace technical interviews. The study plan, devised by John Washam, was born from his personal experience of successfully transitioning to a distinguished role at Amazon.

You’ll find insights into essential topics such as data structures, algorithms, and system design. Drawing from Washam’s firsthand knowledge of the interview process at top-tier companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook, this repo has a balanced mix of theoretical foundations, coding exercises, and practical interview prep.

Bonus Mentions: Web Development, JavaScript, and More

Alright, web devs, I haven’t forgotten about you. For those looking to deepen their knowledge of frontend development, Frontend Dev Bookmarks is a manually curated collection of resources you won’t want to miss. And if you’re on team JavaScript, 33 JavaScript Concepts is a must-visit repository that covers essential concepts every JS dev should be aware of.

But what if you’re on the hunt for something specific? Well then, learning to effectively search for repositories is key. GitHub’s guide can help you find exactly what you’re looking for by specifying certain parameters that narrow down your search. Also, don’t forget to check out GitHub’s trending repositories, showcasing the most popular projects across various technologies, including the latest GPT-related developments.

And there you have it! I hope this handpicked selection will help you grow as a professional and keep you up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry.