We analyzed 14 examples of how GitHub handles empty states across their product, spanning 5 different approaches: icon with headline and CTA, text-only message, illustration with CTA, dashboard zero state, modal overlay.
GitHub — Repository > Pull requests tab
Repository Pull Requests tab with no pull requests created yet. Shows a welcome message with an icon and inline link CTA.
GitHub — Global > Projects > Recently viewed
Global Projects page with no projects viewed or created. Shows an icon, headline, body text, and a green CTA button.
GitHub — Global > Pull Requests > Created
Global Pull Requests page showing zero results for the 'Created' filter tab with an icon, headline, and inline link suggestions.
GitHub — Repository > Settings > Collaborators and teams
Repository Settings > Collaborators page showing zero collaborators with an icon, headline, and CTA button to add people.
GitHub — Global > Discussions
Global Discussions page showing no discussions matching the filter with an icon, headline, and body text.
GitHub — Global > Copilot Chat
GitHub Copilot chat interface showing the initial empty state with no chat history and an input prompt to start a conversation.
GitHub — Repository > Settings > Rules > Rulesets
Repository Settings > Rules > Rulesets page showing no rulesets created yet with an icon, headline, body text, and CTA button.
GitHub — Repository > Wiki > Create new page
Repository Wiki tab showing the 'Create new page' editor for the first wiki page, pre-populated with default welcome text.
GitHub — Global > Issues > Assigned to me
Global Issues page filtered to 'Assigned to me' showing zero results with a bold headline and helper body text.
GitHub — Global > New repository
New repository creation form showing the blank form with all configuration options before any repository has been created.
GitHub — Global > Notifications > Inbox
Notifications inbox showing zero notifications with a custom illustration of the GitHub Mona octocat character and a completion-state message.
GitHub — Global > Search results
Global search results page for a nonsensical query ('kabasacharasha') showing zero results across all categories with a custom illustration and help tips.
GitHub — Global > Issues > Create new issue modal > Repository selector
Global Issues page with 'Create new issue' modal open showing an empty repository selector dropdown with no matching repositories.
GitHub — Global > Dashboard (Home)
New user dashboard (Home) showing onboarding content with getting started checklist, video playlist, and CTAs to create first project.