Basic Git Commands

Git is a version control system that helps track changes to files and collaborate on projects. By recording changes over time, Git makes it easier to manage code, revert unwanted modifications, and work with other developers.

This article introduces some of the most commonly used Git commands for everyday work.

Installing Git

Before using Git, install it on your operating system.

Installation packages and instructions are available for:

• macOS
• Windows
• Linux

After installation, you can verify that Git is available by running:

git --version

Create a Repository

To initialize a new Git repository in the current directory, use:

git init

This creates a .git directory that stores the repository’s version history and configuration.

Clone an Existing Repository

To create a local copy of an existing repository:

git clone /path-to-repository

To clone a repository from a remote server:

git clone username@host:/path-to-repository

The repository and its history will be copied to your local machine.

Add Files to the Staging Area

Before changes can be committed, they must be added to the staging area.

To add a specific file:

git add filename

To add all modified files:

git add .

The staging area allows you to choose which changes will be included in the next commit.

Create a Commit

A commit records a snapshot of your changes in the repository history.

git commit -m "Description of the changes"

The message should briefly describe what was modified.

Send Changes to a Remote Repository

To upload local commits to a remote repository:

git push origin master

Depending on your repository configuration, the branch name may be different, such as main.

If a remote repository has not yet been configured:

git remote add origin repository-address

Download Changes from a Remote Repository

To retrieve and merge the latest changes from a remote repository:

git pull

This command combines:

git fetch

and

git merge

into a single operation.

Create and Switch Branches

To create and switch to a new branch:

git checkout -b feature_x

Branches allow you to work on features or fixes independently of the main codebase.

Restore a File

To discard local changes and restore a file to its last committed version:

git checkout -- filename

This removes any uncommitted modifications to the specified file.

Merge Branches

To merge another branch into the currently active branch:

git merge branch-name

For example:

git merge feature_x

This combines the changes from feature_x with your current branch.

Compare Changes

To view differences between files and the staging area:

git diff

This command highlights added, removed, and modified lines.

It is useful for reviewing changes before creating a commit.

View Commit History

To display the repository’s commit history:

git log --pretty=oneline

This shows each commit on a single line, including the commit identifier and message.

Check Repository Status

One of the most frequently used Git commands is:

git status

This displays:

• Modified files
• Staged files
• Untracked files
• Current branch information

It is often the first command used when checking the state of a repository.

Summary

Git provides tools for tracking changes, managing project history, and collaborating with other developers. Common commands such as git init, git clone, git add, git commit, git push, and git pull form the foundation of most Git workflows and are useful for projects of any size.