Git Workflow - Common Commands 2026

Git is the backbone of modern version control. Whether you’re a solo dev or part of a massive team, these 20 commands cover about 95% of your daily interactions with a repository.
Getting Started & Setup
git init: Initializes a brand-new local Git repository in your current folder.
git clone [url]: Downloads an existing repository from a remote source (like GitHub) to your machine.
git config --global user.name "Name": Sets the name that will be attached to your commit transactions.

The Staging Area & Basics
git status: The "Where am I?" command. It shows which files are modified, staged, or untracked.
git add [file]: Moves changes from the working directory to the Staging Area. Use git add . to stage everything.
git commit -m "message": Records the staged snapshot permanently in the version history.
git diff: Shows the exact line-by-line changes in files that are not yet staged.

Branching & Switching
git branch: Lists all local branches. Adding a name (e.g., git branch feature-x) creates a new branch.
git checkout [branch]: Switches your working directory to the specified branch.
git checkout -b [new-branch]: A shortcut that creates a new branch and switches to it immediately.
git switch [branch]: A more modern, intuitive command specifically for changing branches.

Merging & Syncing
git merge [branch]: Integrates the history of the specified branch into your current active branch.
git pull: Fetches updates from the remote server and immediately merges them into your local branch.
git fetch: Downloads all history from the remote tracking branches but does not merge them into your local work.
git push: Uploads your local branch commits to the remote repository.

Inspection & Cleanup
git log: Displays the commit history for the current branch.
git show [commit]: Shows the metadata and content changes of a specific commit.
git stash: Temporarily shelves uncommitted changes so you can work on something else without committing "work in progress."
git stash pop: Brings your stashed changes back into your working directory.
git remote -v: Lists the remote repositories (URLs) linked to your local project.

Pro Tip: If you ever get stuck in a "Vim" screen after a merge or commit, type :q! and hit Enter to exit without saving, or :wq to save and exit. It's a rite of passage for every developer!