Git Cheat Sheet - Quick reference for core Git commands

Q: How do I initialize a new Git repository and clone an existing one?

Use `git init` to start a new repo, and `git clone ` to clone an existing repository.

Q: What commands help me stage changes and choose specific parts of files?

Use `git add ` to add a file, `git add .` for all changes, and `git add -p` to stage selected hunks.

Q: How can I review differences and commit history in Git?

Use `git diff` variants (`--staged`, `HEAD`) for changes, `git show ` for a commit’s diff, and `git log` commands (including `--follow` and `--graph`) to inspect history.

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by WPS_1786070896

Quick reference for essential Git workflows, covering repository setup, cloning, staging files, committing changes, and managing branches. Includes practical commands for moving between branches, creating and deleting branches, and inspecting differences between staged, unstaged, and commit history. Also details ways to discard changes, undo and amend commits, analyze commit history and code changes, combine diverged branches, fast-forward merges, and share work via push and pull. Finishes with basic Git configuration and important file locations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Getting Started

Prepare to Commit

Staging and moving files

Make Commits

Move Between Branches

Diff and Inspect Changes

Discard Your Changes

Edit History

Code Archaeology

Combine and Update Branches

Push and Pull Changes

Configure Git

Important files

--print-out Getting Started Start a new repo: git init Clone an existing repo: git clone Prepare to Commit Add untracked file or unstaged changes: git add Add all untracked files and unstaged changes: git add . Choose which parts of a file to stage: git add -p Move file: git mv Delete file: git rm Tell Git to forget about a file without deleting it: git rm --cached Unstage one file: git reset OR git restore --staged Unstage everything: git reset OR git restore --staged . Check what you added: git status Make Commits Make a commit (and open text editor to write message): git commit Make a commit: git commit -m 'message 'Commit all unstaged changes: git commit -am 'message ' Git Cheat Sheet Move Between Branches Switch branches: git switch OR git checkout Create a branch: git switch -c OR git checkout -b List branches: git branch List branches by most recently committed to: git branch --sort= -committerdate Delete a branch: git branch -d Force delete a branch: git branch -D Diff Staged/Unstaged Changes Diff all staged and unstaged changes: git diff HEAD Diff just staged changes: git diff --staged Diff just unstaged changes: git diff Diff Commits Show diff between a commit and its parent: git show Diff two commits: git diff Diff one file since a commit: git diff Show a summary of a diff: git diff --stat git show --stat | Ways to refer to a commit
Every time we say , you can use any of these: | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | ★ a branch
★ a tag
★ a commit ID
★ a remote branch
★ current commit
★ 3 commits ago | main
v0 .1 3e887ab origin/main HEAD
HEAD^^^ or HEAD~ 3 | | Discard Your Changes Delete unstaged changes to one file: git restore OR git checkout Delete all staged and unstaged changes to one file: git restore --staged --worktree OR git checkout HEAD Delete all staged and unstaged changes: git reset --hard OR git restore --staged --worktree . Delete untracked files: git clean 'Stash' all staged and unstaged changes: git stash Edit History "Undo" the most recent commit (keep your working directory the same): git reset HEAD^ Squash the last 5 commits into one: git rebase -i HEAD ~ 5 Then change "pick" to "fixup" for any commit you want to combine with the previous one Undo a failed rebase: git reflog BRANCHNAME Then manually find the right commit ID in thereflog , then run: git reset --hard Change a commit message (or add a file you forgot): git commit --amend Code Archaeology Look at a branch's history: git log main git log --graph main git log --oneline Show every commit that modified a file: git log Show every commit that modified a file , including before it was renamed: git log --follow Find every commit that added or removed some text: git log -G banana Show who last changed each line of a file: git blame | Combine Diverged Branches
Combine with rebase: git switch banana
git rebase main Before: | | | --- | --- | |
~~ ~~ main
banana | | | After:
main banana | | |
"lost " | | | Combine with merge: git switch main
git merge banana Before: | | |
~~ ~~ main
banana | | | After: | | |
main
banana | | | Combine with squash merge: git switch main
git merge --squash banana
git commit Before: | | |
~~ ~~ main
banana | | | After: | | | | main
banana | | Bring a branch up to date with another branch (aka "fast-forward merge"):
git switch main
git merge banana Before:
A B C D
E
main banana
After: | | --- | | A B C D E
main | |
banana
Copy one commit onto the current branch: git cherry-pick
Before: | |
~~ ~~ main |

FAQs

How do I initialize a new Git repository and clone an existing one?

Use git init to start a new repo, and git clone <url> to clone an existing repository.

What commands help me stage changes and choose specific parts of files?

Use git add <file> to add a file, git add . for all changes, and git add -p to stage selected hunks.

How can I review differences and commit history in Git?

Use git diff variants (--staged, HEAD) for changes, git show <commit> for a commit’s diff, and git log commands (including --follow and --graph) to inspect history.

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by WPS_1786070896