10 Git Commands Every Developer Should Know 🚀

Version control is an essential skill for any developer, and Git is by far the most popular version control system in use today. Whether you’re collaborating on a team project or managing your personal code, mastering Git commands can massively improve your productivity and workflow.

In this post, we’ll explore ten fundamental Git commands that every developer should know to confidently navigate and manage their projects.

1. git init

This command transforms any project folder into a Git repository, making it trackable from the get-go.

git init

2. git clone

To copy a remote repository to your local machine, use:

git clone https://github.com/IshworSubedi13/circleci.git

3. git status

Show the current state of your working directory and staging area.

git status

4. git add

Before committing your changes, you need to stage them. You can add specific files or all changes in one go:

git add your_filename or git add .

5. git commit

Capturing a snapshot of your changes is done via a commit, often with a message explaining what the changes do:

git commit -m “Your message here!”

6. git pull

To update your local branch with changes from its remote counterpart, use:

git pull origin main

This fetches and merges changes from the remote main branch into your current local branch.

7. git push

After committing locally, share your changes with others by pushing them to the remote repository:

git push origin main

This uploads your commits to the remote branch.

8. git branch

Branches let you develop features or fixes independently without affecting the main codebase. To list, create, or delete branches:

List branches

git branch

Create new branch

git branch branch_name

Delete branch

git branch -d branch_name

9. git checkout

Switch between branches or create a new one and switch to it at the same time:

git checkout branch_name

or create and switch

git checkout -b branch_name

This command changes your working directory to the snapshot of the specified branch.

10. git merge

When your feature is ready, merge it back into the main branch:

git merge branch_name

It integrates the changes from branch_name into your current branch.

Conclusion

These ten Git commands form the foundational toolkit for any developer working with source control. Mastering them will allow you to confidently manage your projects, collaborate with others, and navigate codebases with ease.

If you’re new to Git, start experimenting with these commands today, and you’ll soon see how powerful Git can be! Also, you can check this out for more.

Happy coding! :):):)