Ways to Share a Project
You've built something. Now what? How you share your project depends entirely on who you're sharing it with and what you want them to do with it.
Different audiences need different things. A developer wants to see your code. A potential user wants to try your app. A hiring manager wants to see both, plus context about your thinking.
Sharing Options
GitHub Repository — Best for developers and code review. They can read your code, see your commit history, and understand how you structured the project. A clean repository with a good README shows professionalism.
Live Deployment — Best for users and demos. People can actually use your application without installing anything. A working URL is worth a thousand screenshots.
Documentation — Best for everyone. Context matters. Explain what problem you solved, why you made certain decisions, and how to use what you built.
Video or Screenshots — Best for quick showcases. Sometimes people don't have time to dig into code or try a live demo. A 30-second video or a few screenshots can communicate your project's value instantly.
Matching Method to Audience
For developers reviewing your code:
- GitHub link with clear README
- Well-organized code structure
- Meaningful commit messages
For users trying your app:
- Live URL they can visit
- Simple instructions to get started
- No setup required on their end
For your portfolio:
- Combination of code, live demo, and screenshots
- Context about what you learned
- Explanation of challenges you solved
For job applications:
- GitHub repository showing code quality
- Live demo proving it works
- Brief write-up explaining your approach
Maximize Impact
The best approach usually combines multiple methods. A GitHub repo with a live demo link in the README, plus a few screenshots, covers most bases.
Don't overthink it. Start with a GitHub repo and README. Add a live deployment if your project makes sense as a web app. Include screenshots if the visual design matters.
Your goal is to make it easy for people to understand what you built and why it matters — whatever format accomplishes that is the right choice.