Core Git Commands

cd my-project
git init
# Initialized empty Git repository in /path/my-project/.git/

git status
# On branch main
# No commits yet
#
# Untracked files:
#   (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
#       index.html
#       style.css

# Stage one file
git add index.html

# Stage multiple files
git add index.html style.css

# Stage all changes (current directory)
git add .

# Stage all changes in the entire repo
git add -A

# Check what you staged
git status

# Commit with a short message (-m)
git commit -m "Add homepage and styles"

# Commit with a detailed message (opens editor)
git commit
# Write a title line, blank line, then details
# First line: "Add login form"
# Body: "Created email/password fields with validation"

✅ "Fix login redirect bug"
✅ "Add user profile page"
❌ "fix stuff"
❌ "asdfasdf"

git log
# commit a1b2c3d4e5f6...
# Author: Your Name <you@email.com>
# Date:   Mon Jan 15 14:30:00 2025
#
#     Fix login redirect bug
#
# commit f6e5d4c3b2a1...
# Author: Your Name <you@email.com>
# Date:   Sun Jan 14 10:00:00 2025
#
#     Add user profile page

# Compact one-line view
git log --oneline
# a1b2c3d Fix login redirect bug
# f6e5d4c Add user profile page
# b7c8d9e Initial commit

# Show the last 3 commits
git log -3

# Show commits with a graph (branches)
git log --oneline --graph --all

# Show unstaged changes (working directory vs staging)
git diff

# Show staged changes (staging vs last commit)
git diff --staged

# Compare two commits
git diff a1b2c3d..f6e5d4c

# See only which files changed
git diff --stat

# 1. Start or clone
git init        # new project
# OR
git clone <url> # existing project

# 2. Make changes and check
git status
git diff

# 3. Stage and commit
git add .
git commit -m "Descriptive message"

# 4. View history
git log --oneline

# 5. Repeat!