Essential Git Commands for Developers

Here’s a collection of commonly used Git commands that every developer should know.

Basic Commands

Getting Started

git init            # Initialize a new Git repository
git clone <url>     # Clone a repository from remote
git status         # Check status of working directory

Daily Workflow

git add .          # Stage all changes
git commit -m "Your message"   # Commit staged changes
git push origin main          # Push to remote repository

Branching

git branch              # List all branches 
git branch <name>       # Create new branch
git checkout <name>     # Switch to branch 
git merge <branch>      # Merge branch into current branch

Advanced Commands

Stashing

git stash             # Temporarily save changes 
git stash pop         # Apply saved changes`

History

git log              # View commit history
git blame <file>     # See who changed what in a file

Tips and Tricks

  1. Undo Last Commit

    git reset --soft HEAD~1

  2. Amend Last Commit

    git commit --amend

  3. Force Push (use carefully!)

    git push -f origin main

Remember to always be careful with commands that modify history or force operations!

Best Practices

  1. Always pull before pushing
  2. Write clear commit messages
  3. Create branches for new features
  4. Regular commits with smaller changes

Conclusion

These Git commands will help you manage your code effectively. Practice them regularly to become more comfortable with version control.