August 08, 2023
Table of Contents
GitHub has become the central hub of the open-source world. With over 300 million repositories and contributions from more than 100 million developers, it is the biggest collaborative platform for software development. Beyond hosting code, GitHub is a goldmine of learning resources, frameworks, tools, interview prep guides, roadmaps, and cutting-edge technologies.
But with millions of projects available, the challenge is:
How do you discover the repositories that truly matter?
To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most popular GitHub repositories every developer—beginner or professional—should know. These repositories are selected based on stars, forks, community activity, usefulness, and long-term relevance.
This curated list spans web development, system design, interviews, APIs, machine learning, and more.
Let’s explore the top repositories that can elevate your developer journey.
1. freeCodeCamp/freeCodeCamp
Stars: 362k+ • Forks: 31.2k+
https://github.com/freeCodeCamp/freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp is the most starred repository on GitHub, and for good reason. It powers the freeCodeCamp learning platform, offering:
Over 9,000 tutorials
11 industry-recognized certifications
Hands-on projects
A massive global learning community
Topics include responsive web design, JavaScript, Python, data structures, APIs, machine learning, and backend development.
This repo is a perfect starting point for beginners or anyone switching careers into tech. Developers can also contribute to the open-source codebase, enhancing the platform used by millions worldwide.
2. EbookFoundation/free-programming-books
Stars: 269k+ • Forks: 54.1k+
https://github.com/EbookFoundation/free-programming-books
This repository compiles one of the largest collections of free programming books available online. It includes:
Books in multiple languages
Online courses
Cheat sheets
Podcasts
Problem sets
Interactive coding resources
Whether you're learning C, Python, algorithms, DevOps, or machine learning, this repo offers thousands of resources—completely free.
It’s a must-bookmark resource for lifelong learners.
3. jwasham/coding-interview-university
Stars: 250k+ • Forks: 66.2k+
https://github.com/jwasham/coding-interview-university
This repository is legendary for technical interview preparation. Originally created by a self-taught engineer who later landed a job at Google, the repo includes:
A full computer science study plan
Data structures & algorithms
System design
Operating systems
Networking fundamentals
Math, logic, and discrete structures
Resume tips and interview strategies
If you're preparing for FAANG or top startup interviews, this repo is essential.
4. sindresorhus/awesome
Stars: 241k+ • Forks: 25k+
https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome
The Awesome List is one of the most influential projects on GitHub. It contains curated lists of:
Tools
Frameworks
Libraries
Articles
Tutorials
Books
Podcasts
Learning resources
Topics cover everything from web development to cryptography, gaming, security, AI, databases, and even niche hobbies.
If you want the best of anything, this repo is your starting point.
5. kamranahmedse/developer-roadmap
Stars: 187k+ • Forks: 45k+
https://github.com/kamranahmedse/developer-roadmap
The Developer Roadmap repository visually maps out everything developers should learn for roles such as:
Frontend Developer
Backend Developer
Full-Stack Developer
DevOps Engineer
DBA
Security Engineer
Updated frequently, these roadmaps guide you on industry-relevant skills and technologies.
Perfect for beginners unsure of where to start—or professionals planning to upskill.
6. public-apis/public-apis
Stars: 250k+ • Forks: 28k+
https://github.com/public-apis/public-apis
This repository contains a massive list of free APIs for developers. Popular categories include:
Weather
Finance
Sports
Games
Health
Security
Entertainment
Business
Developers use this repo to build projects, prototypes, hackathon apps, or simply explore new technologies.
One of the most fun and useful repositories on GitHub.
7. donnemartin/system-design-primer
Stars: 143k+ • Forks: 28k+
https://github.com/donnemartin/system-design-primer
This is the #1 repository for learning system design—a crucial skill for senior developers and interview candidates.
The repo includes:
System design concepts
Scalability principles
Load balancing
Caching
Sharding
Distributed systems
Real-world architecture examples (Netflix, Google, Facebook)
Practice questions & solutions
If you aim for senior engineering roles or want to improve your architectural thinking, start here.
8. facebook/react
Stars: 183k+ • Forks: 35k+
https://github.com/facebook/react
React is one of the most important front-end libraries in modern web development. Maintained by Meta, React powers applications used by:
Facebook
Instagram
Netflix
Airbnb
Discord
Reddit
Key features include:
Component-based architecture
Virtual DOM
Hooks
Server-side rendering (SSR)
Strong ecosystem & community
Every modern frontend developer must be familiar with React.
9. codecrafters-io/build-your-own-x
Stars: 32k+ • Forks: 2k+
https://github.com/codecrafters-io/build-your-own-x
This repository teaches you how to build your own version of famous software, such as:
A database
A blockchain
A compiler
Docker
A web server
Redis
Git
Neural networks
Regex engine
The tutorials exist in multiple programming languages and come with test suites to validate your implementation.
A fantastic way to understand how things work under the hood.
10. tensorflow/tensorflow
Stars: 161k+ • Forks: 88k+
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
TensorFlow is Google’s flagship machine learning framework. It supports:
Deep learning
Neural networks
Data processing
Model training & optimization
Multi-language support (Python, JS, Java, C++, Go)
Used by companies like Uber, NASA, Airbnb, and Google, TensorFlow is essential for anyone in AI/ML development.
Conclusion
GitHub is filled with millions of projects, but these ten repositories stand out due to their impact, educational value, and massive community support. They help you learn, practice, design systems, prepare for interviews, and stay updated with the latest trends.
Exploring these repositories can significantly accelerate your growth as a developer. Whether you're a beginner building your foundation or a senior engineer refining your skills, these GitHub projects offer something valuable for everyone.
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