Git Cheat Sheet: Essential Commands (Printable)

Keep this Git command cheat sheet nearby for everyday tasks: checking changes, creating commits, working with branches and remotes, and recovering safely. Commands are grouped by what you want to do, with short notes on when to use them.

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Start here: inspect your repository

Command	What it does
`git status`	Shows the current branch and working tree changes.
`git status --short`	Shows a compact summary of changed files.
`git log --oneline --graph --decorate`	Shows a compact commit history and branch references.
`git diff`	Shows unstaged changes in tracked files.
`git diff --staged`	Shows changes selected for the next commit.

Stage and commit changes

git add <file>                 Stage one file
git add -p                    Choose changes interactively
git add .                     Stage changes under the current directory
git commit -m "Describe change"  Create a commit
git commit --amend            Replace the latest local commit

Review git diff --staged before committing. Amending changes the commit ID; avoid amending commits already shared with others unless the team has agreed to rewrite that history.

Work with branches

git branch                    List local branches
git switch -c <name>          Create and switch to a branch
git switch <name>              Switch branches
git merge <branch>             Merge a branch into the current branch
git branch -d <name>           Delete a merged local branch

Save or otherwise protect uncommitted work before switching branches. Git may prevent a switch if it would overwrite changes.

Connect to a remote

git remote -v                  List remote names and URLs
git fetch                     Download updates; do not integrate yet
git pull                      Fetch and integrate into the current branch
git push                      Send commits to the configured upstream
git push -u origin <branch>   Push and set the upstream for this branch

Fetch before integrating when you want to inspect incoming changes. A push may be rejected if the remote has commits your local branch is missing; integrate them using your project's workflow instead of force-pushing blindly.

Undo or save work carefully

Goal	Command	Note
Unstage a file	`git restore --staged <file>`	Keeps edits in the working tree.
Discard unstaged edits	`git restore <file>`	Replaces edits with the indexed version.
Undo a local commit, keep staged changes	`git reset --soft HEAD~1`	Moves the current branch back one commit.
Reverse a shared commit	`git revert <commit>`	Creates a new commit that reverses it.
Save work temporarily	`git stash push -u -m "message"`	Includes untracked files; ignored files are excluded.

Caution: git reset --hard and git clean can discard work. Check git status and confirm what will be removed before using destructive commands.

Configuration and ignore rules

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
git config --list              Show configuration
git check-ignore -v <file>     Find the ignore rule matching a file

Set your author name and email with the identity you want recorded in commits. A .gitignore rule affects untracked files; it does not automatically untrack files already committed.

A safe everyday Git workflow

Run git status to confirm your branch and changes.
Create or switch to the branch for your task.
Make a focused change and review it with git diff.
Stage the intended files and inspect git diff --staged.
Commit with a message that explains the purpose of the change.
Fetch or pull updates as needed, then push your branch.