{"id":41957,"date":"2023-10-03T07:00:45","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhblog.dream.press\/blog\/?p=41957"},"modified":"2025-05-21T16:11:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T23:11:16","slug":"git-commands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-dev.dreamhost.com\/blog\/git-commands\/","title":{"rendered":"Git Commands: 21 Must-Know Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anyone who uses Git, or has even seen<\/i> it for that matter, knows there are a lot<\/b> of terms and modifiers to keep up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And keep up, you must, as it\u2019s become the standard in version control for tech products today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But instead of just expecting you to keep it all<\/i> in your head, we put together this go-to resource full of critical commands for you to reference so you can use Git both effectively and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not a Git super user (yet<\/i>)? That\u2019s perfectly fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commands we\u2019ll detail here range from the everyday to the more rare and complex. And, as an added bonus, each is joined by tips on ways you can use it during a development project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll kick things off with some info on Git\u2019s background, then wrap up with a full walkthrough of how you might use Git in a real-life setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Debrief: Understanding Git, GitHub, & Version Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Git<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Git<\/a> is what its builders call a Source Code Management (SCM) platform. In other words, it\u2019s a version control system. One that\u2019s free, easy to use, and thus at the core of many well-known projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which brings us to a logical question if you aren\u2019t immersed in the world of development: What exactly is version control?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building something from code frequently takes a lot of trial, error, and steps. And, in many cases, collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy for important elements that took a lot of effort to get overwritten or lost. For example, if you\u2019ve ever worked with a colleague in a live Google Doc, you understand what we mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A version control tool basically saves each iteration of your progress throughout a project. This is helpful in case you want to rewind to a previous version to review and grab certain elements to reuse \u2014 or even restore an older version if something in the current build isn\u2019t working as intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Git is installed locally, meaning it exists on your computer instead of in the cloud. In fact, you don\u2019t even have to be connected to the internet when using it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this way, it provides a secure repository (often called a \u201crepo,\u201d which is a storage space for code) for a developer to save every \u201cdraft\u201d of a project they\u2019re working on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Git takes this one step further with the branching model for which it has become known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Git, a developer can create various code \u201cbranches\u201d that extend from a project. These branches are basically copies of the main project, which used to be called the \u201cmaster\u201d project, but that term is being phased out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in branches don\u2019t impact the code of the main project unless you tell them to. With branching, developers can do things like experiment with new features or fix bugs. The changes made in a branch won\u2019t impact the main code unless you do something called \u201cmerging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Git makes perfect sense for website owners or developers working on their own projects. But what about when you need to work with a team on a coding project?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet GitHub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GitHub<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GitHub<\/a> is a development platform for hosting Git repositories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, it\u2019s how you get your Git repos off of your local machine and onto the internet, usually for the purpose of enabling people to collaborate on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GitHub is cloud based and for profit, though the basics can be used for free when you sign up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The primary function of GibHub is enabling developers to work together on a singular project in real time, remotely making code revisions, reviewing each other’s work, and updating the main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GitHub maintains the core feature of Git: preventing overwriting and maintaining each saved version of a project. It also layers in all kinds of additional features and add-ons like increased storage, fast development environments, AI-powered code writing, code auditing support, and much more. (We recommend checking out the pricing<\/a> page to see everything on offer.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that GitHub isn\u2019t the only service in this space. Alternatives include Bitbucket, GitLab, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Git and GitHub of course work together like peanut butter and jelly, as you\u2019ll see a little later in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First things first: a complete list of all the Git commands developers and tech teams should be familiar with to find success in this version control environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\t\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n

Github<\/h3>\n

GitHub is a cloud-based service developers use to store their code, track new changes, and collaborate with other developers. It is a popular platform for collaborating in real-time on software projects.<\/p>\n \n Read More <\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

21 Of The Most-Used Git Commands You Should Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you ready for the ultimate Git cheat sheet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this section we\u2019ll dive into the Git commands, instructions, basically, that you need to know to use Git successfully. And, we\u2019ll even throw on some tips on how you may use each of them in a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip<\/b> for making the most of this document: Press \u201ccommand + F\u201d on a Mac or \u201cCtrl + F\u201d on Windows to open a search box to find a specific command, if you\u2019re looking for something in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

git config<\/code><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

git config<\/code> is a helpful command for customizing how Git works on three levels: the operating system level (system), user-specific level (global), and repository-specific level (local).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try out git config<\/code> with these moves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

git config --global user.email [your email]<\/code>
This is a command many devs run right after downloading Git to set up their email address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

git config --global user.name [your name]<\/code>
For setting up your user name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

git config --local<\/code>
Customize your local repository-specific settings. This will override default Git configs at the system and global levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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