I feel super dumb asking this. But what actually is and how does github (or similar sites) work? Are they all just source files one needs to manually compile? I am always confused when I look at a github page. I know some have directions but they still go way over my head sometimes. Im not a total noob but some of this stuff seems like you need to be in programming and have an IDE just to run a program.
The most basic level is GitHub, Gitlab, etc are used to store version controlled files which can be anything from like a wiki, an apps source files, your random collection of scripts, etc.
They have added features like the ability to offer artifacts which could be an already compiled exe or rpm, or just the source code for you to self compile. Which option they give is dependent on which repo and usually that repo maintainer will have directions for how you install their thing.