Git & GitHub Cheat Sheet | Aminul Islam Blog

This guide includes the most important Git & GitHub commands, explained in table format, so you can quickly understand and use them in real projects.

Git Basics Commands

Command	Example	What it does	When to use
git init	`git init`	Create a new Git repository	Start tracking a new project
git clone	`git clone url`	Download repo from GitHub	Work on existing project
git status	`git status`	Show file changes status	Check before commit
git add	`git add .`	Add files to staging area	Prepare files for commit
git commit	`git commit -m "msg"`	Save changes permanently	Save version history
git log	`git log --oneline`	Show commit history	See previous changes

Git Add & Commit Flow (Most Important)

Step	Command	Explanation
1	Edit files	Make changes
2	git status	Check changed files
3	git add .	Add changes to staging
4	git commit -m "message"	Save changes
5	git push	Upload to GitHub

Branch Commands

Command	Example	Explanation	Use case
git branch	`git branch`	Show all branches	Check branches
git branch name	`git branch dev`	Create new branch	New feature
git switch name	`git switch dev`	Switch branch	Work on branch
git switch -c name	`git switch -c login`	Create + switch branch	Faster workflow
git merge	`git merge dev`	Merge branch	Combine changes
git branch -d	`git branch -d dev`	Delete branch	Clean project

GitHub Remote Commands

Command	Example	Explanation
git remote add	`git remote add origin url`	Connect local to GitHub
git push	`git push origin main`	Upload code
git pull	`git pull origin main`	Download latest code
git fetch	`git fetch`	Get remote info

Undo / Fix Commands (Very Useful)

Command	Example	Explanation
git reset --soft	`git reset --soft HEAD~1`	Undo commit keep changes
git reset --hard	`git reset --hard HEAD~1`	Delete commit + changes
git restore	`git restore file.txt`	Undo file changes
git commit --amend	`git commit --amend -m "new"`	Change last commit

Stash Commands (Temporary Save)

Command	Example	Explanation
git stash	`git stash`	Save work temporarily
git stash pop	`git stash pop`	Restore work
git stash list	`git stash list`	Show stash list

Git Diff Commands

Command	Example	Explanation
git diff	`git diff`	Show changes
git diff --staged	`git diff --staged`	Show staged changes
git diff branch1..branch2	`git diff main..dev`	Compare branches

.gitignore Example Table

File	Why ignore
node_modules	Large folder
.env	Secret keys
dist	Build files
.next	Next.js build
.DS_Store	macOS file

Full GitHub Workflow Table

Step	Action	Command
1	Clone repo	git clone url
2	Create branch	git switch -c feature
3	Edit code	—
4	Add changes	git add .
5	Commit	git commit -m "feat: add login"
6	Push	git push origin feature
7	Create Pull Request	GitHub website
8	Merge	GitHub

Git File Status Meaning

Status	Meaning
Untracked	New file
Modified	File changed
Staged	Ready to commit
Committed	Saved in Git

Git vs GitHub Comparison Table

Git	GitHub
Local tool	Online platform
Version control	Code hosting
Works offline	Needs internet
Tracks changes	Collaboration

Most Used Commands Quick Table (Daily Use)

Command	Use
git status	Check changes
git add .	Add files
git commit -m	Save changes
git push	Upload
git pull	Download
git switch -c branch	New branch

Example Real Project Workflow

git clone https://github.com/aminul/project.git
git switch -c feature/login
# edit files
git add .
git commit -m "feat: add login page"
git push origin feature/login

Pro Tips

Tip	Why
Use branches always	Safe workflow
Commit often	Easy rollback
Write clear messages	Team friendly
Pull before push	Avoid conflict