Git Command Reference

Searchable Git command reference with examples. Find the right Git commands for branching, merging, rebasing, and more.

What Is Git Command Reference

Git is the most widely used distributed version control system, tracking changes to source code across software development projects. With over 150 commands and thousands of flags, Git's command-line interface is powerful but complex. Even experienced developers regularly look up less common commands, flag combinations, and workflows.

This tool provides a searchable reference for Git commands organized by workflow — from basic operations to advanced rebasing, bisecting, and repository maintenance.

Essential Git Commands by Workflow

Daily Development

CommandPurposeExample
git statusShow working tree statusgit status -sb
git addStage changesgit add -p (interactive staging)
git commitRecord changesgit commit -m "Fix login timeout"
git pullFetch and merge remote changesgit pull --rebase origin main
git pushUpload local commitsgit push origin feature-branch
git diffShow unstaged changesgit diff --cached (staged changes)
git logView commit historygit log --oneline --graph
git stashTemporarily shelve changesgit stash push -m "WIP login fix"

Branching and Merging

CommandPurposeExample
git branchList, create, delete branchesgit branch -d feature-branch
git checkoutSwitch branches or restore filesgit checkout -b new-feature
git switchSwitch branches (modern)git switch -c new-feature
git mergeCombine branch historiesgit merge --no-ff feature-branch
git rebaseReapply commits on new basegit rebase main
git cherry-pickApply specific commitsgit cherry-pick abc1234

Common Use Cases

  • Command lookup: Quickly find the correct syntax and flags for Git operations you perform infrequently
  • Workflow standardization: Generate consistent Git commands for team workflows (branching strategies, commit conventions, merge methods)
  • Troubleshooting: Find commands for recovering from common Git mistakes (wrong branch, bad merge, lost commits)
  • Learning Git: Explore Git commands with explanations of what each flag does and when to use different options
  • Script generation: Generate Git commands for automation scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment workflows

Best Practices

  1. Use conventional commits — Structure commit messages as type(scope): description (e.g., "fix(auth): resolve session timeout") for automated changelogs and SemVer bumping.
  2. Prefer rebase for feature branches — git pull --rebase keeps history linear. Merge commits from git pull create unnecessary noise in the log.
  3. Never force-push to shared branches — git push --force rewrites remote history and can destroy teammates' work. Use --force-with-lease if you must rewrite a shared branch.
  4. Use interactive staging — git add -p lets you stage individual hunks within files, creating focused commits that are easier to review and revert.
  5. Write meaningful commit messages — The first line should summarize the change in 50 characters. The body should explain why, not what (the diff shows what).
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Frequently Asked Questions

How is this Git reference organized?+

The reference is organized by practical tasks and categories including Setup and Basics, Commits, Fix Mistakes, Branching and Merging, Collaboration, History and Inspection, Workspace and Stash, Recovery and Safety, and Scaling and Performance. Each command guide includes when to use it, pro tips, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Can I search using natural language questions?+

Yes, the tool includes natural language understanding. You can type questions like "how do I undo my last commit" or "revert changes" and it will interpret your intent and show relevant Git commands. The search interprets your question and displays matching command guides ranked by relevance.

What skill levels are the commands categorized by?+

Commands are tagged as Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. Beginners can focus on essential commands like git add, commit, and push. Intermediate users can explore branching, merging, and stashing. Advanced users can find commands for rebasing, cherry-picking, and repository maintenance.

How do I copy commands to use in my terminal?+

Each command example has a Copy button that copies the exact command to your clipboard. Many commands also include adjustable parameters with sliders or text inputs, so you can customize values like commit counts or file paths before copying. The command updates in real-time as you adjust parameters.

What are the Common Pitfalls sections?+

Common Pitfalls highlight dangerous operations or frequently made mistakes for each command. These warnings help you avoid accidentally losing work, corrupting your repository, or creating problems for your team. They are especially important for destructive commands like force push or hard reset.

Does this reference include alternative commands?+

Yes, many command guides include an Alternatives section showing different ways to accomplish the same task. This helps you choose the right approach based on your specific situation. For example, undoing changes might show options for both local and already-pushed commits.

Can I navigate to related Git commands?+

Yes, each command guide includes a Related section with links to other relevant commands. Clicking a related command jumps directly to that guide. This helps you discover connected workflows, like going from staging to committing to pushing, or from creating a branch to merging it.

This tool is provided for informational and educational purposes only. All processing happens in your browser — no data is sent to or stored on our servers. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties about the completeness or reliability of results.