You can include an open source license in your repository to make it easier for other people to contribute.

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

  1. On GitHub Enterprise, navigate to the main page of the repository.

  2. The create new file buttonAbove the file list, click .

  3. The file name field with LICENSE filled inIn the file name field, type LICENSE or LICENSE.txt (with all caps).

  4. The Choose a license drop-down buttonTo the right of the file name, click Choose a license: None to choose your desired license. If you don't find the license you want, manually paste the full text.

  5. Commit message for your changeAt the bottom of the page, type a short, meaningful commit message that describes the change you made to the file.

  6. Commit branch optionsBelow the commit message fields, decide whether to add your commit to the current branch or to a new branch. If your current branch is master, you should choose to create a new branch for your commit and then create a pull request.

  7. Commit new file buttonClick Propose new file.

Further reading