# Getting Your Source Code

> How to get a full copy of your code (GitHub or zip), and why you don't need GitHub to build.

Source: https://llamapress.ai/wiki/getting-your-source-code | Updated: 2026-08-05

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[Back to Wiki](https://llamapress.ai/wiki)

Your code is yours. Here's how to get a copy — and why GitHub is optional.

A question we get a lot: *"How do I get my code? Do I have to learn GitHub?"* Short answer — your code is 100% yours, there are two easy ways to get a copy, and **you do not need GitHub for everyday building**.

**You don't need GitHub to use LlamaPress.** You can build, edit, and run your entire app without ever touching it. GitHub is only how you get a *copy of the code* for yourself — it's optional and you can set it up whenever you're ready.

## Two ways to get your code

### 1. GitHub (recommended)

GitHub is like **Google Drive, but for code** — a safe place online to store and share it. It's the standard, easiest way to keep your own copy that stays in sync as you build.

1. **Make a free GitHub account** at [github.com/signup](https://github.com/signup) if you don't have one.
2. **Send us your GitHub username** at [support@llamapress.ai](mailto:support@llamapress.ai).
3. We'll **add you to your app's repository** as an owner. You'll get an email invite from GitHub — accept it, and your code is right there to view and download anytime.

#### Authenticate Leo with your GitHub account

Before you can push code, you need to **connect Leo to your GitHub account** using these slash commands in Leo's chat interface:

1. **Type `/gh`** in Leo's chat input field. A popup will appear where you can select **GitHub** and sign in to your account.
   ![Type /gh in Leo's chat](https://llamapress.ai/assets/llamapress-leo-how-to-authenticate-with-github-b95dbbc92effd727b40a8e5d2dcffa109c1dd6cb66c0a02c1ce50af2c0945ad7.png)

   ![GitHub sign-in modal](https://llamapress.ai/assets/llamapress-leo-connect-to-github-modal-0461336fe6d04fb834081c6066fb08ff9f2e7e55a7ed5ff5a8ba25297e57bdb4.png)
2. **Run `/git-config`** in Leo's chat to configure your Git credentials.
3. **Run `/gh-copy`** in Leo's chat to complete the GitHub authentication.

Once that's done, the **History icon** (clock with red indicator) at the top of the page will be enabled. You're now ready to push your code:

Step 7

Click the **History icon** (clock with the red indicator) at the top of the page.

 ![Click the history icon](https://llamapress.ai/assets/GitHub-get-code-from-leo-tutorial-click-history-icon-next-to-leos-head-at-top-of-page-0760b4f3b3b1f3cfcdbc1f4d81547649f5035ae6940c618d45ac94e4cd5e8e26.png)

Step 8

Click the purple **+** button to commit your changes.

 ![Click purple plus to commit](https://llamapress.ai/assets/GitHub-get-code-from-leo-tutorial-click-purple-plus-button-to-commit-changes-9749748be811f3b2a9385b442a293eea51dc332f8d5f01c99183259736c094bf.png)

Step 9

Type a **commit message** describing your changes, then hit purple **Save**.

 ![Type commit message and save](https://llamapress.ai/assets/GitHub-get-code-from-leo-tutorial-type-git-commit-message-into-box-hit-purple-save-c9fdb4efa4c9c682ea4ec448dfaecdab61a145ab97837b18e70793f8296532d9.png)

Step 10

Click the **upward arrow** button to push your code to GitHub.

 ![Push to GitHub](https://llamapress.ai/assets/GitHub-get-code-from-leo-tutorial-click-arrow-to-push-leo-code-to-GitHub-05842cc0190c78547eb0ba2dcb2c06c6142fa83cc188ff7357b91ddb68e47055.png)

See the full [History & checkpoints](https://llamapress.ai/wiki/leo-tools-and-features#workspace) guide for more details.

### 2. Download an archive

Prefer a one-off copy? Open [My Leos](https://llamapress.ai/user_instances), click the gear icon on your app's card, and use **Prepare download** under **App source code**. You get a compressed archive of your Rails app. Your `.env` file and other secrets are never included.

**Source-code export starts on the Pro plan.** On Free and Starter the button is disabled. See [pricing](https://llamapress.ai/pricing), or email [support@llamapress.ai](mailto:support@llamapress.ai) and we'll turn it on for your workspace.

Downloading your **database** is different, and it stays available on every plan including free. Your data is yours. See [How to Download Your App's Data](https://llamapress.ai/wiki/how-to-download-your-apps-data).

## Common gotchas

**"The Code tab is asking me for a password I don't have."** This screen is for **LlamaPress Admin**, not your app login. Access from this Code tab is a paid Business plan feature. If you want access to your app's source code from this screen, upgrade to the Business plan or email [support@llamapress.ai](mailto:support@llamapress.ai).

**"Contact Kody to connect your GitHub."** The GitHub button on your Leo needs to be enabled for your account first. Just email us and we'll switch it on.

## What you get

Your export is **Ruby on Rails** code, with a **PostgreSQL** database. Curious what you can do with it, or whether you can host it yourself? See [You Own Your App: Ownership, Portability, & Self Hosting](https://llamapress.ai/wiki/you-own-your-app).