Command Reference

git status Tutorial

Covers how git status shows working tree, staging area, and branch state, and why it should be part of nearly every Git workflow.

The short version

git status is the safest and most useful command for checking what is going on in your repository right now.

What it tells you

  • current branch
  • staged changes
  • unstaged changes
  • untracked files
  • ahead / behind state relative to the upstream branch

Common forms

git status
git status --short

Related Reads

git init Tutorial

Explains how git init creates a repository, how the initial branch is defined, and how it is used for both new and existing directories.

git clone Tutorial

Explains how git clone copies a repository, what origin means by default, and what local branch setup usually looks like after cloning.

git add Tutorial

Explains how git add stages changes for the next commit, and why the index is central to creating cleaner history.

Previousgit clone Tutorial

Explains how git clone copies a repository, what origin means by default, and what local branch setup usually looks like after cloning.

Nextgit add Tutorial

Explains how git add stages changes for the next commit, and why the index is central to creating cleaner history.