Git & GitHub

Commands for creating, inspecting, and recording changes in a repository.

Term / Syntax	Name	Description	Example
git init	Initialize repository	Creates a new local Git repository in the current directory.	git init
git status	Working tree status	Shows tracked, modified, staged, and untracked files.	git status
git add	Stage changes	Adds changes to the staging area for the next commit.	git add src/app.js
git commit	Create commit	Records the staged snapshot with a message.	git commit -m "Add search filter"
git diff	Inspect changes	Shows unstaged differences by default.	git diff
git diff --staged	Inspect staged changes	Shows changes currently staged for the next commit.	git diff --staged

Commands for creating, switching, merging, and cleaning up branches.

Term / Syntax	Name	Description	Example
git branch	List/create branches	Lists local branches or creates a new branch when given a name.	git branch feature/search
git switch	Switch branch	Changes the current branch.	git switch main
git switch -c	Create and switch	Creates a new branch and switches to it.	git switch -c feature/search
git merge	Merge branch	Integrates the named branch into the current branch.	git merge feature/search
git branch -d	Delete merged branch	Deletes a local branch after Git confirms it is merged.	git branch -d feature/search

Commands for connecting local work with remote repositories such as GitHub.

Term / Syntax	Name	Description	Example
git remote -v	List remotes	Shows configured remote names and URLs.	git remote -v
git remote add	Add remote	Connects a named remote repository.	git remote add origin https://github.com/user/repo.git
git fetch	Fetch remote history	Downloads remote commits and refs without merging them.	git fetch origin
git pull	Fetch + integrate	Fetches from a remote branch and integrates according to configuration.	git pull origin main
git push	Push commits	Uploads local commits to a remote branch.	git push origin main
git push -u	Set upstream	Pushes and establishes the default upstream tracking branch.	git push -u origin feature/search

Commands for inspecting history and safely undoing common local changes.

Term / Syntax	Name	Description	Example
git log	Commit history	Shows commit history; options can make it more compact or graphical.	git log --oneline --graph --decorate
git restore	Restore working file	Restores file contents from another Git state, commonly HEAD.	git restore src/app.js
git restore --staged	Unstage file	Removes a file from the staging area without discarding working changes.	git restore --staged src/app.js
git revert	Reverse commit	Creates a new commit that reverses a previous commit.	git revert abc1234
git stash	Temporarily store changes	Saves uncommitted changes so the working tree can be cleaned temporarily.	git stash push -m "WIP search"
git stash pop	Restore stash	Applies and removes the most recent stash if successful.	git stash pop