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📢 Why I Use Git UIs in My Daily Work and What You Should Know About Them

When it comes to development tools, version control is a crucial part of any project. Git, one of the most widely used tools for this, can be a bit intimidating at first. So many developers, especially with the daily rush, end up using graphical interfaces (Git UIs) to make the process easier.

💡Git Graph on VS Code:
For those of us using Visual Studio Code, the Git Graph extension is one of my favorites. It offers functionalities that greatly simplify working with Git repositories, such as:

  • Tree view visualization: You can clearly see all commits, branches, and merges on a graphical timeline, which is super helpful when trying to understand the change history in larger projects.

  • Quick branch control: With Git Graph, it’s easy to switch between branches, create new ones, merge, and view everything without leaving the editor.

  • Commit comparison: You can compare differences between specific commits, making it faster to understand changes between versions. This feature is a huge help for anyone who frequently reviews code.

Using tools like Git Graph significantly reduces the time and effort needed for common Git tasks. However, I don't recommend using Git UIs for those who are just starting to learn Git. Why? Simply because using the terminal is essential for a deep understanding of how Git works. Writing and executing commands manually in the terminal helps you grasp Git's functionality, version control concepts, and the processes behind each action.

I know it may feel harder at first, but the learning is much more solid. What I suggest is: practice with the terminal, learn the flow of commits, branches, merges, rebases, etc. Only after you build that foundation will a graphical interface make sense and truly be a helpful tool for your daily workflow—not just a crutch.

Imagem da extensão git graph no vscode

In summary, Git UIs can absolutely speed up your workflow, and Git Graph is one of the best options on VS Code. But if you're just starting out, my tip is: start with the terminal!

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