Git Commands 1

Git is a powerful version control system. This tutorial will guide you through some basic git commands and workflows to help you manage your projects.

Official Git Document: https://git-scm.com/docs/git

Cloning a Repository

To clone (or copy) a repository from a remote source like GitHub:

git clone [repository-url]

 

Initialize a New Repository

To start a new git repository in a directory:

1. Navigate to the directory:

cd [your-folder-name]

2. Initialize the repository:

git init

This will create a hidden .git folder in the directory.

 

Checking the Status

To see the status of files (tracked, untracked, modified):

git status

 

Tracking and Staging Files

Image source: "Git Gud: The Working Tree, Staging Area, and Local Repo" by Lucas Maurer, Medium, 10 Oct 2017.

 

To start tracking and staging new or modified files:

1. Add a specific file:

git add [file-name]

2. Or add all files:

git add --all

or

git add .

Ignoring Files

To ignore certain files or patterns, create a .gitignore file in your repository root. For example, to ignore all .txt files and don't let them be tracked:

# .gitignore
*.txt

Committing Changes

To save the staged changes:

git commit -m "Your commit message here"

 

Bypass Staging

If you want to bypass the staging area and commit all changes directly:

git commit -a -m "Your commit message here"

Unstaging Files

To remove files from the staging area:

git restore --staged [file-name]

Viewing Commit History

To see the commit history:

git log

For a more concise view:

git log --oneline

 

Working with Branches

Screenshot from "Loki" Season 2, Episode 2, Marvel Studios, 2023.

 

Creating a Branch

To create a new branch:

git branch [new-branch-name]

Switching Branches

To switch to another branch:

git switch [branch-name]

To create a new branch and switch to it immediately:

git switch -c [new-branch-name]

Merging Branches

To merge changes from another branch into your current branch:

git merge -m "Your merge commit message here" [branch-name-to-merge]

Deleting a Branch

To delete a branch:

git branch -d [branch-name]

Remote Repositories

Adding a Remote

To link your local repository to a remote repository:

git remote add origin [repository-url-from-github-or-other-platform]

Pushing Changes

To push your local commits to the remote repository:

1. Set the main branch (only needs to be done once):

git branch -M main

2. Push the changes:

git push -u origin main

Pulling Changes

To fetch and merge changes from the remote repository:

git pull

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This tutorial covers the basics of git. There's a lot more to explore, but with these commands, you can effectively manage and collaborate on projects. Happy coding!