GitHub / Git Cheat Sheet
A practical quick-reference for updating, branching, committing, pushing, and managing GitHub repositories.
Setup Git identity
git config --global [Link] "Your Name"
git config --global [Link] "your@[Link]"
Description: Sets your name and email for commits on this computer.
Clone a repo
git clone [Link]
cd repo
Description: Downloads a GitHub repository to your computer and moves into the project folder.
Check current status
git status
Description: Shows your current branch, changed files, staged files, and whether you are ahead or behind the remote.
Get latest changes
git pull
Description: Downloads and applies the newest changes from the remote branch into your current branch.
Safer update workflow
git fetch
git status
git pull
Description: Fetches remote changes first, lets you inspect your state, then pulls when everything looks safe.
Create a new branch
git checkout -b new-branch-name
Description: Creates a new branch and switches to it immediately.
Switch branch
git checkout main
# or
git switch main
Description: Moves you from your current branch to another existing branch.
Stage and commit changes
git add .
git commit -m "Your commit message"
Description: Stages your edited files and saves them as a new commit with a message.
GitHub / Git Cheat Sheet Page 1
Push changes to GitHub
git push
Description: Uploads your local commits to the connected GitHub remote branch.
First push for a new branch
git push -u origin new-branch-name
Description: Uploads a new local branch to GitHub and links it to the remote branch for future pushes.
See local branches
git branch
Description: Lists branches available on your computer and marks the branch you are currently using.
See remote branches
git branch -r
Description: Lists branches that exist on the remote repository, such as GitHub.
Merge a branch into main
git checkout main
git pull
git merge branch-name
Description: Switches to main, updates it, then combines another branch into main.
Discard changes in one file
git checkout -- file-name
Description: Restores one file to its last committed version and removes your local edits.
Discard all local changes
git reset --hard
Description: Deletes all uncommitted local changes and resets the repo to the last commit.
Temporarily save changes
git stash
git pull
git stash pop
Description: Saves your unfinished work temporarily, updates the repo, then reapplies your work.
See commit history
git log
# short version
git log --oneline
Description: Shows previous commits; the one-line version is easier to scan.
GitHub / Git Cheat Sheet Page 2
Connect local repo to GitHub
git remote add origin [Link]
git branch -M main
git push -u origin main
Description: Links a local project to a GitHub repo, renames the main branch, and pushes it online.
Common feature workflow
git checkout main
git pull
git checkout -b my-feature
# make changes
git add .
git commit -m "Add my feature"
git push -u origin my-feature
Description: Updates main, creates a feature branch, commits your work, and pushes it so you can open a Pull Request.
Tip
Before pulling or switching branches, run git status. It helps you avoid losing work or creating conflicts.
GitHub / Git Cheat Sheet Page 3