GitHub Portfolio for Junior Developers: What to Include (and What to Remove))

Updated on February 11, 2026 11 minutes read

Career changer reviewing a GitHub portfolio on a laptop with pinned projects and a checklist notebook on a tidy desk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many projects should a junior developer have on GitHub?

Most juniors do best with 3–6 strong projects that are easy to run and easy to understand. A small, polished portfolio usually performs better than a large, messy one.

Should I delete old tutorial projects from my GitHub?

You don’t have to delete everything, but you should archive or make many tutorials private if they distract from your best work. Keep only the ones you upgraded and can explain confidently.

What should I pin on GitHub as a junior developer?

Pin projects that match your target role and show real skills. A full-stack app, a clean API, a UI-focused project, or a data pipeline project are common high-impact choices.

Do I need a portfolio website if I have GitHub?

A portfolio site helps you present the story with screenshots and context, while GitHub proves your code is real. Using both is ideal, but a well-structured GitHub can still be enough early on.

What makes a GitHub README stand out to recruiters?

Clarity and completeness win. A standout README explains the problem, shows a demo, lists key features, includes setup steps, and highlights what you learned in a few honest lines.

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