Git Essentials Every Developer Should Know

Git records snapshots of your project over time. Once you understand three places (working directory, staging area, repository), the everyday commands make sense.

The three areas

• Working directory - your files as you edit them.
• Staging area - changes you've selected for the next commit (git add).
• Repository - the history of commits (git commit).

Daily workflow

git status                         # what changed?
git diff                           # unstaged changes
git add src/cart.js                # stage a file
git add -p                         # stage hunk by hunk (review as you go)
git diff --staged                  # what will be committed
git commit -m "Fix rounding in cart total"
git log --oneline --graph -15

Branches

git switch -c feature/coupon-codes   # create and switch
git switch main                      # go back
git branch -d feature/coupon-codes   # delete a merged branch

A branch is just a movable pointer to a commit, which is why creating one is instant.

Working with a remote

git clone git@github.com:acme/shop.git
git fetch                             # download new commits, change nothing locally
git pull --rebase                     # fetch + replay your local commits on top
git push -u origin feature/coupon-codes

Settings worth adding

git config --global user.name "Asha Kumar"
git config --global user.email "asha@example.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
git config --global pull.rebase true
git config --global push.autoSetupRemote true

Good habits

• Commit small, focused changes with clear messages.
• Pull often to avoid big conflicts.
• Never commit secrets; add .env to .gitignore before your first commit.
• Read git status output; it usually tells you the next command to run.