TL;DR: Unity Hub 3.17.1-beta.1, released March 10 2026, adds native GitHub and GitLab integration. You can create a new project wired to a remote repo, add existing repo backed projects to the Hub, or connect a local project to a fresh remote. The Hub handles .gitignore, origin, Git LFS, and for Unity 6.3+, the first commit.

Unity Hub 3.17 Beta Adds Native GitHub and GitLab Support, and It Changes the Best Unity Version Control Workflow

If you build games with Unity, one of the most annoying parts of starting a project has always been the version control setup. You create a Unity project, open a Git client or terminal, create a remote repository, clone it, move files around, fix your .gitignore, update .gitattributes, then finally add the project back into Unity Hub.

That workflow still works, but it is no longer the best way to do it.

With Unity Hub 3.17.1-beta.1, Unity has added native GitHub and GitLab integration directly inside the Hub. That means you can now create a Unity project and connect it to a remote repository during setup, add existing repositories directly into Unity Hub, and connect an already-started project to a new remote repository without relying on a separate repo-first workflow.

For Unity developers who care about clean project setup, faster onboarding, and a better Unity GitHub workflow, this is a genuinely useful update.

What Is New in Unity Hub 3.17 Beta?

According to the official Unity Hub release notes, the new GitHub and GitLab integration is available in 3.17.1-beta.1, released on March 10, 2026.

Unity says the following features are now available when creating a new project or connecting an existing one:

1. Create a new Unity project connected to GitHub or GitLab
Unity Hub can initialize Git, create the remote repository, set the origin, add a .gitignore, and optionally configure Git LFS if it is installed. For projects using Unity Editor 6.3+, the Hub can also optionally create and push the first commit.

2. Add existing GitHub or GitLab repositories directly to Unity Hub
The updated Add from repository flow has been decoupled from the Editor, so you can bring repository-backed projects into the Hub more cleanly. Unity also notes that the project can be added even if the matching Editor version is not installed yet.

3. Connect an existing local Unity project to a new GitHub or GitLab repository
If you already started a project locally, you no longer need to manually create the remote repository first and wire everything together outside the Hub.

This is a meaningful improvement because it removes a lot of setup friction from a very common Unity task.

Why This Matters for Unity Developers

The old Unity Git setup was not difficult, but it was repetitive. It also depended heavily on what tooling you preferred.

Some developers used Sourcetree. Others used GitHub Desktop, GitKraken, Fork, Tower, VS Code, or just the command line. The exact steps changed depending on the tool, but the core pain points stayed the same:

Project creation and repository creation were split across different apps.

You often had to copy or move Unity files into a cloned repo manually.

It was easy to forget important setup files like .gitignore or .gitattributes.

The project usually had to be re-added to Unity Hub after the repository setup was finished.

Now, Unity Hub handles much more of that upfront.

That makes this feature useful for solo developers, small teams, students learning Unity, and professionals trying to standardize a cleaner Unity version control workflow.

The Old Generic Workflow Most Unity Developers Used

Even if you did not use Sourcetree specifically, the old process usually looked something like this:

1. Create a remote repository on GitHub or GitLab.
2. Clone that repository locally using your preferred Git client or the terminal.
3. Create a new Unity project, or copy an existing project into the cloned repository folder.
4. Commit and push the project.
5. Add the project to Unity Hub from disk.
6. Fix .gitignore, .gitattributes, and Git LFS configuration if needed.

That process was flexible, but not elegant.

It also created more room for avoidable mistakes, especially for newer Unity developers. A project folder in the wrong location, a missing origin, a bad .gitignore, or an incomplete LFS setup could slow things down before the actual game development even started.

The New Generic Workflow with Unity Hub 3.17 Beta

With the new Hub integration, the workflow becomes much simpler and much more tool-agnostic.

Option 1: Start a brand-new Unity project with GitHub or GitLab already connected

This is the cleanest path for most new projects.

1. Open Unity Hub.
2. Create a new project.
3. Choose GitHub or GitLab during the creation flow.
4. Authenticate with a Personal Access Token (PAT).
5. Configure the repository details, such as visibility, namespace/owner, description, and default branch name.
6. Let Unity Hub create the project and repository connection.
7. Open the repository afterward in whatever Git tool you prefer, whether that is Sourcetree, GitHub Desktop, GitKraken, Fork, or the command line.
8. Review .gitignore, .gitattributes, and Git LFS settings, then continue development.

This removes the need to create a remote repo in one app, clone it in another, and manually copy project files around.

Option 2: Add an existing GitHub or GitLab repository to Unity Hub

If you already have a Unity project in a repository, the updated Add from repository flow makes it easier to bring that project into the Hub.

That is useful for:

Joining an existing team project

Opening an older Unity project from GitHub or GitLab

Switching machines and restoring your Unity workspace faster

Because Unity says the flow is no longer tied directly to opening the Editor, it should also feel cleaner for setup and project management.

Option 3: Connect an existing local Unity project to a new remote repository

This is a very practical scenario. Many Unity developers prototype locally first, then decide a project is worth putting into GitHub or GitLab later.

Before this update, the usual approach was to create the repo elsewhere, then manually initialize Git or add the remote yourself. Now Unity Hub can help bridge that gap, which is great for turning quick prototypes into properly versioned projects.

PAT Authentication: What You Need to Know

Unity Hub uses Personal Access Tokens for GitHub and GitLab authentication.

Based on the release notes:

GitHub classic tokens need the repo scope.

GitHub fine-grained tokens are also supported, and Unity says they should include Administration and Contents permissions set to Read and write.

GitLab tokens require api and read_user.

If you want the official platform docs, here are the relevant references:

1. GitHub personal access tokens documentation

2. GitHub fine-grained token permissions

3. GitLab REST API authentication

Unity also notes that PATs are stored securely on the local machine and are cleared by default when signing out, though that behavior can be changed in Settings > Security & Privacy.

Do You Still Need .gitignore and .gitattributes for Unity?

Yes, absolutely.

Even though Unity Hub now adds a .gitignore to new GitHub and GitLab projects, you should still review your repository settings carefully.

A good Unity .gitignore helps you avoid committing generated and machine-specific folders like Library, Temp, Logs, and other files that do not belong in source control.

A good Unity .gitattributes setup matters for two reasons:

1. Large assets
Art, audio, video, and other large binary files can quickly bloat your repo. This is where Git LFS becomes useful.

2. Merge behavior and consistency
Unity projects often include YAML-based assets and scenes. Your .gitattributes setup can help keep line endings and file handling more predictable across machines and teams.

Unity specifically says that if Git LFS is installed, users can optionally create projects with .gitattributes and LFS support already enabled. That is a strong reason to install Git LFS before creating a new project if your game is likely to include large assets.

Is This Better Than Using a Separate Git Client?

Yes, but only for the setup phase.

Unity Hub is not replacing your favorite Git tool. It is replacing the awkward part at the beginning.

After the initial setup, you can still use whichever Git workflow suits you best:

CLI users can stay in the terminal.

GUI users can keep using Sourcetree, GitHub Desktop, GitKraken, Fork, or another desktop client.

Team workflows can continue using branches, pull requests, merge requests, and normal code review practices.

The big difference is that the project starts in a cleaner state with less manual plumbing.

SEO Angle Aside, This Is Actually a Real Productivity Upgrade

A lot of Unity updates sound bigger than they are. This one is the opposite.

On paper, native GitHub and GitLab support inside Unity Hub may look like a small quality-of-life feature. In practice, it solves a recurring setup problem that nearly every Unity developer hits repeatedly across prototypes, game jams, tutorials, client projects, and production repositories.

If you create Unity projects often, those saved steps add up.

If you teach Unity, onboard juniors, or hand off projects to collaborators, the new flow is even more valuable because it reduces setup ambiguity.

Best Practices for the New Unity Hub Git Workflow

If you want the smoothest possible setup, this is the approach I would recommend:

1. Install the latest Unity Hub beta that includes the feature.
2. Install Git LFS before creating the project if you expect large assets.
3. Prepare your GitHub or GitLab PAT in advance.
4. Create the Unity project and repository directly in Unity Hub.
5. Open the repo afterward in your preferred Git client or terminal.
6. Review .gitignore and .gitattributes before the project grows.
7. Make the initial commit strategy clear for your team, especially if you are using Unity Editor 6.3+ and the Hub offers to push the first commit.

That gives you the best of both worlds: fast setup in Unity Hub, then normal Git work in the tools you already trust.

Final Thoughts

Unity Hub 3.17 beta finally modernizes one of the most common early steps in Unity development.

You can now:

Create new Unity projects connected to GitHub or GitLab from the start

Add existing repositories directly into Unity Hub

Connect an existing local Unity project to a new remote repository

That means fewer setup steps, fewer chances to make mistakes, and a more natural Unity GitHub or Unity GitLab workflow no matter which Git client you prefer.

If your old process involved creating repositories in one app, cloning them in another, manually copying Unity project files, and then re-adding everything to the Hub, this update is worth your attention.

It is not just a nicer workflow. It is the workflow Unity probably should have had years ago.

Sources and Further Reading

1. Unity Hub release notes, official source for the 3.17.1-beta.1 GitHub and GitLab integration details.

2. Unity Hub download page, official place to get the Hub.

3. Unity Version Control via the Unity Hub docs, related official Unity documentation.

4. GitHub PAT documentation, official token guide for GitHub authentication.

5. GitLab REST authentication docs, official token authentication documentation for GitLab.

6. Git LFS installation docs, installation and setup reference for large files.