12 Best Git Commands You Probably Don't Know for 2024
Kosal Ang
Wed Mar 20 2024
In the world of version control systems, Git stands out as a powerful tool cherished by developers worldwide for its efficiency and flexibility. However, harnessing its full potential often requires familiarity with a range of commands beyond the basic commit and push. In this article, we'll explore a curated selection of Git commands that can significantly enhance your workflow, streamline operations, and maintain a well-organized repository.
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Reorganize Commits with
git rebase -iThe
git rebase -icommand allows for the reorganization, editing, and combining of commits during a rebase operation. This functionality proves invaluable for cleaning up commit history before submitting pull requests or merging changes into a main branch. -
Copy Specific Commits with
git cherry-pickWith
git cherry-pick, developers can copy individual commits from one branch to another. This feature comes in handy when incorporating specific changes from a commit without merging the entire branch. -
Navigate Change History with
git refloggit reflogmaintains a record of all previous HEADs, facilitating navigation through change history even after actions like rebase or reset. This command is indispensable for recovering lost commits or reversing accidental actions. -
Identify Bug Introductions with
git bisectThe
git bisectcommand assists in locating the commit that introduced a bug by performing a binary search within the commit history. It's a valuable tool for quickly identifying the source of issues in extensive repositories. -
Manage Multiple Working Directories with
git worktreegit worktreeenables the creation and management of multiple working directories from a single Git repository. This functionality simplifies simultaneous work on multiple branches without constant directory switching. -
Handle Submodules with
git submoduleSubmodules are Git repositories embedded within a main repository.
git submodulefacilitates the management of dependencies from other repositories while keeping them separate entities. -
Clean Working Directory with
git cleanThe
git cleancommand removes untracked files from the working directory, aiding in the cleanup of generated or temporary files that shouldn't be included in the repository. -
Optimize Git's Database with
git gcgit gctriggers Git's garbage collection process, optimizing and cleaning up the internal database. This command improves Git's performance and frees up disk space. -
Work with Specific Files using
git sparse-checkoutgit sparse-checkoutallows developers to work with a subset of files in a large repository, saving time and disk space during cloning or pulling operations. -
Reuse Conflict Resolutions with
git rereregit rerereautomatically records successful conflict resolutions and reuses them in similar conflicts in the future, saving time during recurring merge conflicts. -
Attach Additional Information with
git notesgit notesenables the attachment of notes to commits without altering the main timeline, facilitating the addition of supplementary information such as code reviews or review notes. -
Launch a Web-Based Interface with
git instawebgit instawebinitiates a local web server that showcases a repository's commit history and file contents in a web browser. While not as commonly used, it can be beneficial for quickly browsing repository contents without relying solely on the command line interface.
By mastering these essential Git commands, developers can optimize their workflows, maintain a clean and organized repository, and mitigate common development challenges effectively. Whether you're a seasoned Git user or just beginning your journey, integrating these commands into your toolkit will undoubtedly elevate your version control experience. Happy coding!