GitHub File Tree Visualizer
Whether you're browsing open-source projects or working on large codebases, one of the first things you look for is how the project is organized. But GitHub doesn't always make it easy to see the full picture at once. That's where our GitHub File Tree Visualizer comes in — helping you quickly understand any repository's structure with just one click.
What is a GitHub Tree?
In GitHub (and Git in general), a tree refers to the folder structure or directory hierarchy of your project. It represents how files and folders are arranged in your repository. You can think of it as a snapshot of how your project is organized — which files are in which folders, and how deeply nested everything is.
Git uses the term "tree" because each folder contains either files (called "blobs") or other folders (which are trees themselves). This recursive structure is what allows Git to keep track of your project's entire file layout.
💡 Real Example of a GitHub Tree
Imagine you open a repository like https://github.com/facebook/react
. You want to know:
- Where are the core files of React stored?
- What folders contain the public APIs?
- Is there a
docs
orexamples
folder?
Instead of manually clicking folder by folder, the tree for React might look something like:
react ├── packages │ └── react │ ├── index.js │ └── ReactFiber.js ├── package.json └── README.md
With this view, you instantly understand the layout: most source code is inside the packages
folder. Now you can dive deeper into what matters — instead of wasting time figuring out what's where.
What is the GitHub File Tree Visualizer Tool?
The GitHub File Tree Visualizer is a free online tool that lets you generate the full file tree of any GitHub repository. It works for public and private repos and gives you options to copy or export the structure in multiple formats. Perfect for developers, writers, students, and anyone trying to understand a repo before cloning it.
How It Works
The tool uses GitHub's API to fetch the raw list of files and folders from a given repository and branch. It then parses that list into a nested, human-readable tree structure. Here's what happens behind the scenes:
- It extracts the repo info (owner, repo name) from your URL
- If no branch is entered, it automatically fetches the default branch
- It calls GitHub's
/git/trees
API with therecursive=1
flag - It transforms the flat list of paths into a visual tree
- You get a clickable, collapsible file structure in your browser
Key Features
✔ Copy File Tree in Multiple Formats
- Markdown: Great for READMEs or documentation
- Plain Text Tree: Classic CLI-style output
- JSON: Perfect for integrations or dev tools
✔ Supports Private Repositories
Add your GitHub token securely — we never store or log it. Great for internal company repos.
✔ Auto Branch Detection
No need to guess if a repo uses main
or master
. We fetch the default branch automatically.
✔ Works Without Login
No need to sign up. Just paste your GitHub URL and go.
How to Use It
- Paste your GitHub repo URL
- Enter an optional branch (or leave blank to auto-detect)
- Provide a GitHub token (only if it's a private repo)
- Click "Fetch" — that's it!
- Explore the file tree and copy it in your preferred format
Benefits of Using This Tool
- Understand complex repos before diving into the code
- Instant visual overview without clicking endlessly in GitHub
- Copy tree for docs or README in seconds
- Boost productivity when onboarding new developers
- No install, no login, no delay
Who Should Use This Tool?
- Developers: Quickly understand unfamiliar codebases
- Contributors: Prepare before making a pull request
- Tech writers: Add beautiful tree structures to documentation
- Educators: Teach students proper project organization
- Recruiters or PMs: Reviewing repo structure without reading code
Real-World Use Case
Let's say you're applying to contribute to an open-source project on GitHub. You want to impress the maintainers with a thoughtful pull request — but first, you need to know how the repo is structured. Instead of guessing, use the tool:
- Paste the repo URL
- Generate the tree
- Copy the structure into your draft proposal or personal notes
- Make changes in the right place confidently
Whether it's React, Tailwind CSS, or your team's internal repo — this tool saves time and makes you look sharp.
SEO Summary
Looking for a way to view GitHub file tree online? Want to generate folder structure from a GitHub repo? Whether you're searching for:
- github file tree
- github project folder structure
- how to view github directory online
- github folder structure generator
- github tree visualizer
— this tool is what you're looking for.
No more cloning, clicking, or wasting time. Just paste, view, and copy.
Conclusion
The GitHub File Tree Visualizer simplifies your workflow. Whether you're documenting, contributing, teaching, or exploring — this tool gives you the structure clarity you need.
Go ahead, paste a GitHub URL and see the project tree come to life. It's fast, free, and built for developers like you.
Start visualizing GitHub repos the smarter way — today.