Master the 14 Essential Git Commands You’ll Use 99% of the Time

git init

Creates a new Git repository in the current directory by generating a .git folder that stores all metadata, objects, and references.

git clone

Copies an existing remote repository, including its full commit history and all branches, to a local directory.

git clone https://example.com/owner/project.git

git add

Stages specified files (or patterns) so that their current contents will be included in the next commit.

git add file1.txt src/**/*.js

git commit

Creates a new commit from the staged changes and attaches a descriptive message.

git commit -m "Add new feature"

git push

Uploads local commits to a remote repository, updating the remote branch reference.

git push origin main

git pull

Fetches the latest commits from the remote and merges them into the current branch in a single step.

git pull origin main

git branch

Lists existing branches, creates new branches, or deletes branches.

# List branches
git branch
# Create a new branch
git branch feature-x
# Delete a branch
git branch -d old-branch

git checkout

Switches the working directory to a different branch or restores files from a commit.

git checkout main

git merge

Integrates changes from a source branch into the current branch, producing a merge commit that records both histories.

git merge feature-x

git status

Shows the current branch, staged changes, unstaged modifications, and untracked files.

git status

git rebase

Reapplies commits from the current branch onto another base branch, creating a linear history. Commonly used to move a feature branch onto the latest main before merging.

# Rebase current branch onto main
git rebase main

git stash

Temporarily saves uncommitted changes, allowing you to switch branches without losing work. The stash can later be reapplied or dropped.

# Save changes
git stash
# Apply the most recent stash and remove it from the stash list
git stash pop
# List all stashes
git stash list

git revert

Creates a new commit that undoes the effect of a previous commit (or a range of commits) without rewriting history. Useful for safely rolling back changes that have already been pushed.

# Revert a single commit
git revert a1b2c3d4
# Revert a range of commits (inclusive)
git revert a1b2c3d4..e5f6g7h8

Putting It All Together

These core commands cover the typical daily workflow: initialize a repository, clone existing work, stage and commit changes, synchronize with remotes, manage branches, and safely undo or rearrange history. Mastering them enables efficient collaboration and clean project history.