Git command cheatsheet
Every command used in the tutorial, what it does, and when you reach for it.
| Command | What it does | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
git clone <url> |
Downloads a full copy of a repository, including its entire history. | Once, right after you fork. |
git remote -v |
Lists the remote repositories your clone talks to. | To confirm you cloned your fork and not the original. |
git status |
Shows which files changed and which are staged for the next commit. | Constantly. When unsure what state you are in, run this. |
git checkout -b <name> |
Creates a new branch and switches to it. | Before starting any change. |
git switch <name> |
Moves to a branch that already exists. | Hopping between pieces of work in progress. |
git branch |
Lists your branches and marks the current one. | When you have lost track of where you are. |
git add <file> |
Stages one file to be included in the next commit. | After editing, before committing. |
git commit -m "msg" |
Saves everything staged as a snapshot with a message. | Once per logical chunk of work. |
git push -u origin <name> |
Uploads a branch to your fork and links the two. | The first push of a new branch. |
git push |
Uploads new commits on a branch that is already linked. | Every push after the first. |
git pull |
Downloads changes from the remote and merges them in. | Before starting work, to avoid conflicts later. |
git log --oneline |
Shows the commit history, one line per commit. | Confirming your commit actually landed. |
git diff |
Shows your unstaged changes, line by line. | Reviewing your own work before you commit it. |
git restore <file> |
Throws away uncommitted changes to a file. | When an edit went wrong and you want to start over. |
git restore --staged <file> |
Unstages a file without losing your edits. | When you added the wrong file. |
git commit --amend |
Replaces your last commit with a corrected one. | Fixing a typo in the message you just wrote. |
Ready to try it?
The seven-step tutorial uses these commands in order, with an explanation of what each one is doing.