Git Basics: Commands & Terms

[jgbourque]

Git Commands

Setup & Basics
git --version – check to ensure proper installation
git init – create a local repo here
git status – show changed files

Working with Existing Repos
git clone [URL] – copy remote repo locally
git remote -v - displays name of remote repo

Branching & Updating
git switch – switch between branches
git switch -c [branch] – create & switch to new branch
git pull – get latest changes from remote
git branch – list local branches
git branch -a – list all branches (local & remote)

Staging & Discarding
git add . – stage all changes
git add <file> – stage select files
git restore . – discard unstaged changes
git clean -fd – remove untracked files/dirs

Committing & Pushing
git commit -m "msg" – commit staged changes
git push --set-upstream origin [branch] – push changes to a new branch for the first time
git push origin [branch] – push feature branch changes

History & Reset
git log – commit list
git log --oneline – short/condensed view of commit list
git reset --hard [hash] – revert to a specific commit

GitHub/Git TERMS

Repository (Repo) - On GitHub and locally, it’s the project folder with all code and history.

Fork - On GitHub, a copy of someone’s repository that is stored on your own account.

Clone - On your computer, a local copy of a GitHub repo you can work on offline, but can still stay connected with the GitHub repo.

Branch - On GitHub and locally, a separate version of the project for features/fixes without touching the main code.

Commit - Created locally, visible on GitHub after pushing; a saved snapshot of changes with a message.

Pull Request (PR) - On GitHub, a request for others to review and approve merging your branch’s changes into another.

Merge - On GitHub, after PR approval, combine your branch’s changes into the main project.

Collaborator - On GitHub repo settings, a person who can directly change a repo and review code.

Issues - On GitHub’s “Issues” tab, a place to discuss and track bugs, tasks, or ideas.

README - On a repo’s main GitHub page, a file explaining the project, how to use it, and how to contribute.