Git Notes
HubBenefits of Git and GitHub - Why They MatterGit vs GitHubVersion Control SystemWhat Is GitWhat Is GitHubConfigure Git - User Identity and SettingsCreate GitHub Account - Sign Up GuideFirst Git Repository - Getting StartedInstall Git on Linux - Complete Setup GuideInstall Git on macOS - Installation GuideInstall Git on Windows - Step-by-Step GuideGit Add - Stage ChangesGit Clone - Copy Remote Repositories LocallyGit Commit - Save ChangesGit Diff - Compare Changes in Your RepositoryGit Ignore - Exclude Files from Version ControlGit Init - Initialize RepositoryGit Log - View Commit HistoryGit Status - Check Repository StateGit Fetch - Download Remote Changes Without MergingGit Pull - Fetch and Merge Remote ChangesGit Push - Upload Local Commits to Remote RepositoryGit Remote - Manage Remote Repository ConnectionsLocal Repository - Understanding Your Git Working EnvironmentRemote Repository - Collaborate Through Shared RepositoriesSync Local and Remote - Keep Repositories in HarmonyAmend Commit - Fix Last CommitDelete Branch - Clean Up BranchesGit Reset - Move HEAD and Undo CommitsGit Restore - Discard ChangesGit Revert - Safely Undo ChangesRecover Lost Commits - Reflog GuideFork RepositoryGitHub PagesGitHub Profile SetupGitHub RepositoriesGitHub Stars and WatchersRepository SettingsCode ReviewsGit CloneGit FetchGit PullGit PushGitHub IssuesLabels and MilestonesOpen Source ContributionsGitHub Project BoardsPull Requests - Propose and Review Code ChangesTeam Collaboration with Git and GitHubAutomated Testing with GitHub ActionsCI/CD with GitHub ActionsDeployment Automation with GitHub ActionsIntroduction to GitHub ActionsGitHub Actions RunnersGitHub Actions WorkflowsEnterprise Git Workflows - Scale Git for Large OrganizationsFeature Branch Workflow - Isolate Development WorkGitFlow Workflow - Structured Release ManagementMonorepo Workflow - Manage Multiple Projects in One RepositoryTrunk-Based Development - Ship Code Fast and SafelyDeployment WorkflowsGitHub Pages DeploymentNetlify Deployment from GitHubRender Deployment from GitHubVercel Deployment from GitHubBranch Protection Rules - Secure Your Git BranchesPersonal Access Tokens - Authenticate with GitHubRepository Security Best PracticesSecret Scanning - Detect Leaked Credentials in CodeSigned Commits - Verify Commit Authenticity with GPGSSH Keys - Secure Git Authentication Without PasswordsGit Bisect - Find Bugs with Binary SearchGit Cherry-Pick - Apply Specific Commits to Any BranchGit Hooks - Automate Workflows with Git EventsGit Internals - Understanding How Git Works Under the HoodGit Stash - Temporarily Save Uncommitted ChangesGit Submodules - Manage External Dependencies as Git ReposGit Tag - Mark Important Points in HistoryGit Worktrees - Work on Multiple Branches SimultaneouslyCollaborative Web App ProjectComplete Team Workflow ProjectGitHub Actions Project - Build a CI/CD PipelineOpen Source Project Contribution - Guided ExercisePortfolio Project with Git - Showcase Your SkillsGit Command CheatsheetGit Interview Questions - Comprehensive Preparation GuideGitHub Interview QuestionsScenario-Based Git Interview QuestionsGit Troubleshooting GuideGit Best Practices - Professional Development HabitsCommon Git Errors and Fixes - Quick SolutionsGit Command Reference - Complete Command GuideLearning Resources - Continue Your Git & GitHub EducationBranch Strategies - Choosing the Right Git Branching ModelCreate Branch in Git - Start New Development LinesFast-Forward Merge in Git - Clean Linear HistoryGit BranchGit CheckoutGit MergeGit RebaseMerge Branches in Git - Combine Development WorkMerge Conflicts - Resolve Git Conflicts Like a ProSwitch Branch in Git - Navigate Between Branches
Comprehensive Git command reference organized by category. Includes syntax, common options, and practical examples for every major Git command.
This reference organizes every major Git command by category with practical usage examples. Bookmark this page and return to it whenever you need to remember syntax or discover options you did not know existed.
Git has over 150 commands, but day-to-day development uses roughly 20 of them. We cover the essential commands thoroughly and include advanced ones that solve specific problems when you need them.
Repository Setup Commands
| Command | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
git init | Create new repository | git init my-project |
git clone <url> | Copy remote repository | git clone git@github.com:org/repo.git |
git clone --depth 1 | Shallow clone (latest only) | git clone --depth 1 <url> |
git clone --branch <name> | Clone specific branch | git clone -b develop <url> |
git clone --recurse-submodules | Clone with submodules | git clone --recurse-submodules <url> |
Daily Workflow Commands
Staging and Committing
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git add <file> | Stage specific file |
git add . | Stage all changes in current directory |
git add -A | Stage all changes (entire repository) |
git add -p | Interactive partial staging (choose hunks) |
git commit -m "msg" | Commit with inline message |
git commit | Commit with editor for longer message |
git commit --amend | Modify the last commit |
git commit --amend --no-edit | Add files to last commit without changing message |
git commit --allow-empty -m "msg" | Create commit with no file changes |
Status and Diff
| Command | What It Shows |
|---|---|
git status | Current state of working directory and staging |
git status -s | Short format status output |
git diff | Unstaged changes (working dir vs staging) |
git diff --staged | Staged changes (staging vs last commit) |
git diff HEAD | All changes since last commit |
git diff branch1..branch2 | Differences between two branches |
git diff --stat | Summary of changes (files and line counts) |
Branching Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git branch | List local branches |
git branch -a | List all branches (local + remote) |
git branch -r | List remote-tracking branches |
git branch <name> | Create new branch (do not switch) |
git branch -d <name> | Delete branch (safe - checks merged) |
git branch -D <name> | Force delete branch (no check) |
git branch -m <new-name> | Rename current branch |
git branch -m <old> <new> | Rename specific branch |
git branch --merged main | List branches merged into main |
git checkout -b <name> | Create and switch to new branch |
git switch -c <name> | Create and switch (modern syntax) |
git switch <name> | Switch to existing branch |
git checkout <name> | Switch branch (older syntax) |
Merging and Rebasing
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git merge <branch> | Merge branch into current branch |
git merge --no-ff <branch> | Force merge commit (no fast-forward) |
git merge --squash <branch> | Squash all commits into one, stage only |
git merge --abort | Cancel in-progress merge |
git rebase <branch> | Rebase current branch onto target |
git rebase -i HEAD~n | Interactive rebase (squash, reorder, edit) |
git rebase --continue | Continue after resolving conflict |
git rebase --abort | Cancel rebase, restore original state |
git cherry-pick <hash> | Apply specific commit to current branch |
git cherry-pick --no-commit <hash> | Apply changes without committing |
Remote Operations
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git remote -v | List remotes with URLs |
git remote add <name> <url> | Add new remote connection |
git remote remove <name> | Remove a remote |
git remote set-url <name> <url> | Change remote URL |
git fetch | Download all remote changes (no merge) |
git fetch --prune | Fetch and remove stale remote refs |
git pull | Fetch and merge (or rebase) |
git pull --rebase | Fetch and rebase local on top of remote |
git pull --ff-only | Only pull if fast-forward possible |
git push | Upload to tracked remote branch |
git push -u origin <branch> | Push and set upstream tracking |
git push --force-with-lease | Safe force push (checks for changes) |
git push origin --delete <branch> | Delete remote branch |
git push --tags | Push all tags to remote |
History and Inspection
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git log | Full commit history |
git log --oneline | Compact one-line per commit |
git log --oneline --graph --all | Visual branch graph |
git log --author="name" | Filter by author |
git log --since="2024-01-01" | Filter by date |
git log -p | Show patches (diffs) with each commit |
git log --stat | Show file change statistics |
git log -S "text" | Find commits that added/removed text |
git log --grep="message" | Search commit messages |
git show <hash> | Display specific commit details |
git blame <file> | Show who changed each line and when |
git reflog | Show HEAD movement history |
Undoing Changes
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
git restore <file> | Discard working directory changes |
git restore --staged <file> | Unstage (keep changes in working dir) |
git reset --soft HEAD~1 | Undo commit, keep changes staged |
git reset HEAD~1 | Undo commit, keep changes unstaged |
git reset --hard HEAD~1 | Undo commit, discard all changes |
git revert <hash> | Create new commit undoing target |
git stash | Temporarily shelve all changes |
git stash pop | Restore most recent stash |
git stash list | Show all stashed entries |
git stash drop | Delete most recent stash |
git clean -fd | Remove untracked files and directories |
Configuration Commands
bash example
# Identity
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
# Editor
git config --global core.editor "code --wait"
# Default branch name
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
# Pull behavior
git config --global pull.rebase true
# Auto-prune on fetch
git config --global fetch.prune true
# Aliases (shortcuts)
git config --global alias.st "status"
git config --global alias.co "checkout"
git config --global alias.br "branch"
git config --global alias.lg "log --oneline --graph --all --decorate"
git config --global alias.unstage "restore --staged"
# View all config
git config --list --show-originUseful Combinations and Patterns
bash example
# See what would change in a PR (compare feature to main)
git log main..feature/auth --oneline
git diff main...feature/auth --stat
# Find when a bug was introduced
git bisect start
git bisect bad HEAD
git bisect good v1.0.0
# Git binary searches through commits
# Create a patch file
git format-patch -1 HEAD
git apply patch-file.patch
# Archive a repository snapshot
git archive --format=zip HEAD > project.zipInterview Questions
Q1: What is the difference between git fetch and git pull?
Fetch downloads remote changes and updates remote-tracking branches without modifying your working directory or local branches. Pull does fetch plus merge (or rebase). Fetch is safer for reviewing changes before integrating them.
Q2: How do you see what changed in the last commit?
git show HEAD shows the commit message and full diff. git diff HEAD~1 HEAD shows only the diff. git log -1 --stat shows which files changed and how many lines.
Q3: What command shows who last modified each line of a file?
git blame filename shows the author, commit hash, and date for every line. Use git blame -L 10,20 filename to limit to specific line range.
Q4: How do you create a Git alias for a complex command?
git config --global alias.lg "log --oneline --graph --all --decorate" creates the alias git lg. Aliases are stored in ~/.gitconfig and can reference any valid git command with arguments.
Q5: How do you search for specific text across all commits in history?
git log --all -S "searchText" finds commits that added or removed the text (pickaxe search). git log --all --grep="message text" searches commit messages. git grep "text" $(git rev-list --all) searches file content across all commits.
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