50 Git Commands I Use Everyday as a Dev

As a developer, I'm always juggling code, making sure it's neat and gets where it needs to go. Git is like my digital toolbox – it's full of commands that help me manage my code efficiently. Let's dive into 50 of these commands that I use pretty much every day.

Basic Setup and Config

git init

What it does: It's like planting a seed that grows into a new Git repository. Use this when you're starting a brand new project.

git clone [url]

What it does: Think of it as copying someone else's project so you can work on it too. You just need the project's URL.

git add [file]

What it does: This command is like telling Git, "Hey, keep an eye on these files." It stages your files for commit.

git commit -m “[commit message]”

What it does: It’s like putting a sticky note on your changes, saying, "I did this." Helps you and others know what you changed and why.

git status

What it does: Gives you the lowdown on what's happening with your files – which ones are changed, which are ready to be committed, etc.

git config

What it does: Set up your Git environment. It's like adjusting the settings on your TV to get the picture just right.

Branching Out

git branch

What it does: Lists all the branches in your repository. Branches are like parallel universes for your code.

git checkout [branch-name]

What it does: Moves you to a different branch. It's like hopping between those parallel universes.

git merge [branch]

What it does: Brings the contents of another branch into your current branch. Imagine merging two rivers into one.

Working with Remotes

git remote add [name] [url]

What it does: Connects your local repo to a remote one. It's like saving a contact in your phone.

git fetch [remote]

What it does: Grabs all the changes from the remote but doesn't merge them. Like window shopping for code.

git pull [remote]

What it does: Fetches the remote changes and merges them. It's like fetching a toy your dog wants and then giving it to him.

git push [remote] [branch]

What it does: Sends your local branch updates to the remote repository. Think of it as uploading your latest selfie to Instagram.

Checking History

git log

What it does: Shows a log of all the commits. It's like a diary for your project.

git diff

What it does: Shows the changes between commits, commit and working tree, etc. It's like playing "spot the difference" with your code.

git reset [commit]

What it does: This command is like a time machine; it takes your project back to an earlier state.

Advanced Stuff

git stash

What it does: Temporarily shelves (or stashes) changes you've made to your working copy so you can work on something else.

git tag [commitID]

What it does: Marks a specific point in history. It's like putting a bookmark in your code.

git rebase [branch]

What it does: It's a bit like cutting a piece of a branch off a tree and attaching it somewhere else.

git cherry-pick [commit]

What it does: Takes the changes from a single commit in another branch and applies them to your current branch.

Just in Case!

git revert [commit]

What it does: If you mess up, this command creates a new commit that undoes all of the changes from a previous commit.

git blame [file]

What it does: Shows who last modified each line of a file. It's like detective work for finding who last touched a specific part of the code.

git bisect

What it does: Helps you find the commit that introduced a bug by using a binary search.

Clean Up and Maintenance

git gc

What it does: Cleans up unnecessary files and optimizes your local repository.

git fsck

What it does: Checks the integrity of your Git file system and can find corrupted objects.

There are many more commands, but these are the ones I find myself using almost daily. Remember, the best way to learn Git is by using it. So don't be afraid to dive in and start tinkering with these commands!