Start a repository #
git init notes
git clone https://example.org/team/notes.git
git clone --depth 1 https://example.org/team/notes.git
--depth 1 fetches only the newest commit, which keeps large histories out of a quick checkout.
Everyday Git commands for recording, inspecting, branching, syncing and undoing work.
Version 2.56.0 Updated
Git stores snapshots of a project as a graph of commits. These cards follow a typical day: record changes, look around, move between branches, share work and recover from mistakes.
Recording changes
Stage and commit #
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git status --short | Compact view of changed and untracked paths |
git add docs/intro.md | Stage one file |
git add -p | Choose hunks to stage interactively |
git commit -m "docs: explain setup" | Record the staged snapshot |
git commit --amend | Rewrite the most recent commit with the current index |
Unstage or discard edits #
Warning
git restore --staged docs/intro.md # keep edits, drop from index
git restore docs/intro.md # throw away working-tree edits
The second form overwrites local changes to that file without a backup.
Inspecting history
Read the log #
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git log --oneline --graph --all | Branch graph, one line per commit |
git log -5 --stat | Last five commits with changed-file stats |
git log --author=Ada --since=2.weeks | Filter by author and date |
git log --grep=fix -i | Search commit messages, ignoring case |
git log -- src/parser.go | Commits touching one path |
Compare snapshots #
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git diff | Working tree against the index |
git diff --staged | Index against HEAD |
git diff main..feature --name-only | Paths that differ between two branches |
git diff --stat HEAD~3 | Summary of changes since three commits ago |
Who changed a line #
git blame -L 40,60 src/parser.go
git show 3f2c1ab
git show HEAD~1:README.md
git show <rev>:<path> prints a file as it existed in that revision.
Branches
Create and switch #
git switch -c topic/search
git switch main
git switch - # back to the previous branch
List and tidy #
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git branch -vv | Branches with upstream and last commit |
git branch --merged main | Branches already contained in main |
git branch -d topic/search | Delete a fully merged branch |
git branch -m old-name new-name | Rename a branch |
-D forces deletion even when the branch is unmerged.
Combine work #
git merge --no-ff topic/search
git rebase main
git rebase -i HEAD~4
git cherry-pick 3f2c1ab
Rebasing rewrites commits; avoid it on branches others have already pulled.
Sharing with remotes
Remotes and fetching #
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git remote -v | Show configured remotes and URLs |
git remote add upstream <url> | Track another repository |
git fetch --prune | Update remote-tracking refs, drop deleted ones |
git pull --rebase | Fetch, then replay local commits on top |
Push #
git push -u origin topic/search
git push --tags
git push origin --delete topic/search
-u records the upstream so later git push and git pull need no arguments.
Overwrite a remote branch #
Warning
git push --force-with-lease origin topic/search
Safer than --force: it refuses when the remote moved since your last fetch, but it still replaces published history.
Undo and recover
Reset modes #
Warning
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
git reset --soft HEAD~1 | Move the branch back, keep changes staged |
git reset HEAD~1 | Move back, keep changes unstaged (--mixed) |
git reset --hard HEAD~1 | Move back and discard index and working-tree changes |
--hard destroys uncommitted work; check git status first.
Revert safely #
git revert 3f2c1ab
Creates a new commit that undoes an earlier one, so shared history stays intact.
Shelve work in progress #
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
git stash push -m "wip: parser" | Save and clean tracked changes |
git stash push -u | Include untracked files |
git stash list | Show saved entries |
git stash apply stash@{1} | Reapply an entry and keep it |
git stash pop | Reapply the newest entry and drop it |
Find lost commits #
Tip
git reflog
git branch rescue HEAD@{3}
The reflog remembers where HEAD pointed, even after a reset or rebase.
Remove untracked files #
Warning
git clean -n -d # preview
git clean -f -d # delete untracked files and directories
Add -x to also delete ignored files such as build output.