🚀 Useful Git Commands¶

A categorized reference of common and essential Git commands for daily use, including explanations of when and why to use them.

🔧 Initial Configuration¶

git config --global user.name "Your Name"         # Set your name for all repos
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"  # Set your email for all commits
git config --global core.editor nano              # Set your preferred text editor
git config --list                                 # Check your current Git configuration

Use these commands to set up your identity and preferences when working with Git.

📦 SSH Configuration¶

Use these commands to set up your identity and preferences when working with Git, found it in:

Set Up Github SSH Key

📁 Repository Initialization & Cloning¶

git init                           # Start a new Git repository in the current folder
git clone <REPO_SSH_URL>           # Create a local copy of a remote repository

Use init when starting a new project from scratch. Use clone when collaborating on an existing project.

📄 Status and Diffs¶

git status                     # See the current state of the working directory and staging area
git diff                       # View changes in files not yet staged
git diff --staged              # View changes staged for the next commit

These help you review what you've changed before committing.

➕ Staging and Committing Changes¶

git add file.txt               # Stage a file for the next commit
git add .                      # Stage all modified and new files
git commit -m "Message"        # Save changes with a message describing the update
git commit -am "Message"       # Add and commit changes in tracked files in one step

Use these to selectively or entirely prepare changes to be permanently recorded in the repo.

⏪ Undoing Changes¶

git restore file.txt                  # Revert changes in working directory
git restore --staged file.txt         # Unstage a file without changing its contents
git reset --hard HEAD                 # Discard all changes and return to last commit

Use these to correct mistakes or discard unwanted changes.

🔍 Viewing History¶

git log                              # View full commit history
git log --oneline                    # View condensed history
git log --graph --oneline --all      # Visualize branches and commits as a graph

Use to inspect the evolution of your project and understand its commit structure.

🌿 Branching¶

git branch                           # List all local branches
git branch new-branch                # Create a new branch
git checkout new-branch              # Switch to a different branch
git checkout -b new-branch           # Create and switch to a new branch
git switch new-branch                # (Modern) Switch branches
git switch -c new-branch             # (Modern) Create and switch
git merge feature-branch             # Merge a branch into the current one
git branch -d old-branch             # Delete a branch that is no longer needed

Use branches to work on features or fixes in isolation from the main codebase.

🌐 Working with Remotes¶

git remote -v                        # Show the remotes for this repository
git remote add origin <REPO_URL>    # Add a remote called origin
git fetch                            # Fetch changes from the remote without merging
git pull                             # Fetch and merge changes from the remote
git push                             # Upload your local changes to the remote
git push -u origin main              # Push current branch and set upstream

These commands are essential for collaborating via a shared remote repository.

🧪 Stashing (Temporary Saves)¶

git stash                            # Save your changes temporarily
git stash list                       # View saved stashes
git stash apply                      # Reapply the latest stash
git stash drop                       # Remove a stash

Use when you need to switch context without committing unfinished work.

📌 Tags¶

git tag                              # List tags
git tag v1.0                         # Create a tag for a specific commit
git push origin v1.0                 # Share the tag with others

Tags mark specific points in history, commonly used for releases.

🧼 Cleanup¶

git clean -n                         # Preview which untracked files would be removed
git clean -f                         # Actually remove untracked files

Use to remove clutter from your working directory.

📦 Checkout (Detailed)¶

git checkout branch-name             # Switch to an existing branch
git checkout -b new-branch           # Create and switch to a new branch
git checkout commit_hash             # View the code at a specific commit (detached HEAD)
git checkout file.txt                # Restore file to last committed version

Use checkout to navigate between versions of your project or recover files.