GitHub Introduces redesigned Global Navigation for all users as a public beta

GitHub has recently launched a public beta of its redesigned navigation, offering a range of enhancements to make it easier for users to navigate the site and quickly access commonly used features and functionality. A while back, we let you know that Github was trying out some changes to its navigation system and now more people can access them, so we’ll go over the main changes in detail below.

One of the notable additions to the navigation is the implementation of breadcrumbs, which greatly improves wayfinding and provides users with a clear understanding of the information hierarchy on GitHub. The site-wide menu has been revamped to include links to frequently visited areas such as issues, pull requests, discussions, teams, and repositories. GitHub has also incorporated filtering options for repositories and teams within the site-wide menu. Additionally, important links like issues, pull requests, and notifications are now conveniently located in the upper-right corner of each page, providing users with quick access to these essential features. The redesigned navigation seamlessly integrates code search and the command palette, so users can find specific code snippets, organizations, or other users. Clicking on the GitHub logo takes users to the home dashboard, while clicking on the avatar opens the user menu.

Built on GitHub's open-source design system, Primer, the new navigation benefits from the Primer component library and Octicons icon library. This ensures long-term support, ongoing accessibility improvements, and consistent component styles and behaviors across the platform. GitHub has put a strong emphasis on ensuring the new navigation is accessible, consistent, and responsive across all devices. Through extensive testing with assistive technology, the platform guarantees accessibility for users with disabilities.

Users are encouraged to try out the new navigation and provide valuable feedback through the dedicated feedback portal. As the redesigned navigation is still in beta, users have the flexibility to enable or disable it under the "Global navigation update" section in the Feature Preview settings.