Git Commands Flashcards: Everyday Workflow, Branching & Recovery

Cards in this deck

1. Card 1

   Question

   Initialize the current directory as a Git repository.

   Answer

   git init creates the repository metadata in the current directory.

   git init
   

   It doesn't add or commit the existing files.

2. Card 2

   Question

   Set the commit email for only the current repository.

   Answer

   git config user.email dev@example.com sets a repository-local value.

   git config user.email dev@example.com
   

   Omitting --global keeps other repositories unchanged.

3. Card 3

   Question

   Open the full manual for git status.

   Answer

   git help status opens the command's manual.

   git help status
   

   Use git status -h when you only need the short option summary in the terminal.

4. Card 4

   Question

   Copy ../origin.git into a new local directory named project.

   Answer

   git clone ../origin.git project creates the local clone in project.

   git clone ../origin.git project
   

   The clone normally configures the source as the origin remote.

5. Card 5

   Question

   Show tracked changes that haven't been staged.

   Answer

   git diff shows the working-tree changes relative to the index.

   git diff
   

   New untracked files don't appear until Git knows about them.

6. Card 6

   Question

   Stage notes.txt for the next commit.

   Answer

   git add notes.txt copies the path's current content into the index.

   git add notes.txt
   

   Later edits to the file stay unstaged until you add them too.

7. Card 7

   Question

   Inspect which changes are staged, unstaged, or untracked.

   Answer

   git status compares the working tree and index with HEAD.

   git status
   

   It reads repository state; it doesn't modify files or history.

8. Card 8

   Question

   Record the staged snapshot with the message Add notes.

   Answer

   git commit -m "Add notes" creates a commit from the index.

   git commit -m "Add notes"
   

   Unstaged changes aren't included.

9. Card 9

   Question

   Delete the tracked file obsolete.txt and stage that deletion.

   Answer

   git rm obsolete.txt removes the file and stages the removal.

   git rm obsolete.txt
   

   Commit afterward to record the deletion in history.

10. Card 10

    Question

    Rename tracked old-name.txt to notes.txt and stage the change.

    Answer

    git mv old-name.txt notes.txt moves the path and updates the index.

    git mv old-name.txt notes.txt
    

    Git records snapshots, so it detects the rename from the resulting content when useful.

11. Card 11

    Question

    List local branches and show which one is current.

    Answer

    git branch lists local branches and marks the current one with *.

    git branch
    

    It doesn't switch branches.

12. Card 12

    Question

    Switch the working tree to the existing branch feature/login.

    Answer

    git switch feature/login switches to that branch.

    git switch feature/login
    

    Git updates the index and working tree, and refuses if the switch would overwrite local work. Older instructions often use git checkout for branch switching; switch states the intent more clearly.

13. Card 13

    Question

    Show every configured remote with its fetch and push URL.

    Answer

    git remote -v lists remote names and URLs.

    git remote -v
    

    A remote name such as origin is a local shortcut, not a special server type.

14. Card 14

    Question

    Read a compact one-line commit history.

    Answer

    git log --oneline prints one abbreviated entry per commit.

    git log --oneline
    

    The newest reachable commit appears first.

15. Card 15

    Question

    Discard unstaged edits to tracked notes.txt.

    Answer

    git restore notes.txt replaces the working-tree file with the indexed version.

    git restore notes.txt
    

    This is destructive for those unstaged edits. Check git diff -- notes.txt first when unsure.

16. Card 16

    Question

    Clone ../origin.git while naming the local directory sandbox.

    Answer

    git clone ../origin.git sandbox separates the source location from the local directory name.

    git clone ../origin.git sandbox
    

    Run it from the parent directory where sandbox should be created.

17. Card 17

    Question

    Read the effective commit email in the current repository.

    Answer

    git config --get user.email prints the selected configuration value.

    git config --get user.email
    

    Repository-local configuration overrides a global value.

18. Card 18

    Question

    Get a compact status that still shows branch information.

    Answer

    git status --short --branch prints the branch line plus two-column path states.

    git status --short --branch
    

    The left column describes the index; the right column describes the working tree.

19. Card 19

    Question

    Review what is staged for the next commit.

    Answer

    git diff --staged compares the index with HEAD.

    git diff --staged
    

    --cached is the common equivalent spelling.

20. Card 20

    Question

    Interactively stage selected hunks from notes.txt.

    Answer

    git add -p notes.txt lets you accept or reject each patch hunk.

    git add -p notes.txt
    

    This is useful when one file contains changes for more than one commit.

21. Card 21

    Question

    Open the configured editor to write a commit message for the staged snapshot.

    Answer

    git commit opens the commit-message editor.

    git commit
    

    Git still commits only the staged content.

22. Card 22

    Question

    Stop tracking local.env but keep the file in the working tree.

    Answer

    git rm --cached local.env stages removal from the index without deleting the local file.

    git rm --cached local.env
    

    Add the path to an ignore rule if it shouldn't be staged again.

23. Card 23

    Question

    Create feature/login at the current commit without switching to it.

    Answer

    git branch feature/login creates the branch reference.

    git branch feature/login
    

    Use git switch -c feature/login when you want to create and switch in one step.

24. Card 24

    Question

    Add ../upstream.git as a remote named upstream.

    Answer

    git remote add upstream ../upstream.git stores that remote configuration.

    git remote add upstream ../upstream.git
    

    It doesn't fetch any refs until you run git fetch upstream.

25. Card 25

    Question

    View a compact decorated commit graph across all local refs.

    Answer

    git log --oneline --graph --decorate --all combines history, topology, and ref names.

    git log --oneline --graph --decorate --all
    

    It is a read-only way to understand how branches relate.

26. Card 26

    Question

    Inspect the current commit's metadata and patch.

    Answer

    git show HEAD displays the commit and its changes.

    git show HEAD
    

    Replace HEAD with another revision when needed.

27. Card 27

    Question

    Create feature/search at the current commit and switch to it.

    Answer

    git switch -c feature/search creates and checks out the branch.

    git switch -c feature/search
    

    New commits now advance feature/search.

28. Card 28

    Question

    List the paths currently known to the index.

    Answer

    git ls-files prints tracked and staged paths.

    git ls-files
    

    It is more precise than a filesystem listing when you need Git's view.

29. Card 29

    Question

    Refresh remote-tracking refs from origin without integrating them.

    Answer

    git fetch origin downloads objects and updates origin/* refs.

    git fetch origin
    

    Your current branch and working tree stay in place.

30. Card 30

    Question

    Unstage notes.txt while keeping its working-tree edits.

    Answer

    git restore --staged notes.txt restores the index entry from HEAD by default.

    git restore --staged notes.txt
    

    The file's edited content remains in the working tree.

31. Card 31

    Question

    Temporarily store tracked work with the label WIP login.

    Answer

    git stash push -m "WIP login" saves tracked staged and unstaged changes, then cleans them from the worktree.

    git stash push -m "WIP login"
    

    Untracked files stay put unless you add -u.

32. Card 32

    Question

    Check how the current branch differs from its configured upstream.

    Answer

    git status --branch reports ahead, behind, or diverged state when an upstream exists.

    git status --branch
    

    It doesn't contact the remote, so fetch first when freshness matters.

33. Card 33

    Question

    Compare the snapshots at main and feature/login.

    Answer

    git diff main feature/login shows changes needed to turn the first tree into the second.

    git diff main feature/login
    

    This compares the two named tips, not their merge base.

34. Card 34

    Question

    Stage all additions, modifications, and deletions in the current repository.

    Answer

    git add -A updates the index for every path in scope.

    git add -A
    

    Review git diff --staged before committing a broad change.

35. Card 35

    Question

    Replace the current local commit with a corrected snapshot but keep its message.

    Answer

    git commit --amend --no-edit creates a replacement commit from the current index.

    git commit --amend --no-edit
    

    Amending rewrites the commit ID. Avoid it after sharing the commit unless the team expects a history update.

36. Card 36

    Question

    Rename the current branch to feature/auth.

    Answer

    git branch -m feature/auth renames the checked-out branch.

    git branch -m feature/auth
    

    If the old name was already pushed, coordinate the remote rename separately.

37. Card 37

    Question

    Return to the branch you were on immediately before this one.

    Answer

    git switch - switches to the previously checked-out branch.

    git switch -
    

    It is handy for moving between two branches.

38. Card 38

    Question

    Integrate feature/login into the current branch.

    Answer

    git merge feature/login joins the named branch into the current branch.

    git merge feature/login
    

    The result may be a fast-forward, merge commit, or conflict, depending on history and options.

39. Card 39

    Question

    Fetch only the main branch from origin.

    Answer

    git fetch origin main downloads that branch and records the fetched tip in FETCH_HEAD.

    git fetch origin main
    

    It doesn't merge or move your current branch.

40. Card 40

    Question

    Update the current branch only when the remote change can fast-forward it.

    Answer

    git pull --ff-only fetches, then refuses to create a merge commit or rebase.

    git pull --ff-only
    

    A refusal leaves the divergent histories for you to inspect.

41. Card 41

    Question

    Push the current branch feature/login to origin.

    Answer

    git push origin feature/login updates the same-named remote branch.

    git push origin feature/login
    

    It doesn't configure an upstream unless your settings do that automatically.

42. Card 42

    Question

    Read commits that changed notes.txt.

    Answer

    git log -- notes.txt limits history to commits affecting that path.

    git log -- notes.txt
    

    The -- separates revisions and options from the path.

43. Card 43

    Question

    Print notes.txt exactly as it exists in HEAD without switching commits.

    Answer

    git show HEAD:notes.txt reads the blob at that revision and path.

    git show HEAD:notes.txt
    

    This doesn't modify the working-tree file.

44. Card 44

    Question

    Search tracked working-tree files for the text TODO, including unstaged edits.

    Answer

    git grep TODO searches tracked files in the working tree, including their unstaged content.

    git grep TODO
    

    It skips untracked files by default.

45. Card 45

    Question

    Show the commit and author associated with each line of notes.txt.

    Answer

    git blame notes.txt annotates each line with its last recorded change.

    git blame notes.txt
    

    Use it as a history lead, not as proof that one person owns the current behavior.

46. Card 46

    Question

    Move the current branch back one commit while keeping the changes unstaged.

    Answer

    git reset HEAD~1 performs the default mixed reset.

    git reset HEAD~1
    

    It rewrites the local branch tip but leaves the changed files in the working tree.

47. Card 47

    Question

    Stash tracked and untracked work together with the label WIP search.

    Answer

    git stash push -u -m "WIP search" includes untracked files.

    git stash push -u -m "WIP search"
    

    Ignored files still stay out unless you deliberately use the stronger --all option.

48. Card 48

    Question

    List local tags whose names start with v1..

    Answer

    git tag --list "v1.*" filters the local tag names.

    git tag --list "v1.*"
    

    Listing tags doesn't contact a remote.

49. Card 49

    Question

    Resolve HEAD to its full object ID.

    Answer

    git rev-parse HEAD prints the object name selected by the revision.

    git rev-parse HEAD
    

    This is useful in scripts that need an exact commit ID.

50. Card 50

    Question

    Review prose edits as changed words instead of whole lines.

    Answer

    git diff --word-diff highlights inline word-level changes.

    git diff --word-diff
    

    It changes the display only; repository state stays untouched.

51. Card 51

    Question

    Integrate feature/login only if the current branch can fast-forward.

    Answer

    git merge --ff-only feature/login refuses histories that require a merge commit.

    git merge --ff-only feature/login
    

    The refusal is a safety check, not a partial merge.

52. Card 52

    Question

    Fetch origin and remove remote-tracking refs that the remote no longer has.

    Answer

    git fetch --prune origin refreshes refs and prunes stale origin/* names.

    git fetch --prune origin
    

    It doesn't delete local branches.

53. Card 53

    Question

    List commits reachable from feature/login but not from main.

    Answer

    git log main..feature/login --oneline shows that one-sided revision range.

    git log main..feature/login --oneline
    

    The order around .. matters.

54. Card 54

    Question

    Replace working-tree notes.txt with its version from HEAD~1.

    Answer

    git restore --source=HEAD~1 notes.txt copies the older blob into the working tree.

    git restore --source=HEAD~1 notes.txt
    

    This overwrites current unstaged edits to notes.txt. Diff, copy, or otherwise protect wanted edits first; then review and stage the restored version if you want to keep it.

55. Card 55

    Question

    Create branch hotfix in an additional working tree at ../hotfix.

    Answer

    git worktree add ../hotfix -b hotfix creates the branch and checks it out there.

    git worktree add ../hotfix -b hotfix
    

    The original working tree stays on its current branch.

56. Card 56

    Question

    Push feature/login and configure origin/feature/login as its upstream.

    Answer

    git push -u origin feature/login pushes the branch and records upstream tracking.

    git push -u origin feature/login
    

    Later git status, git pull, and git push can use that relationship.

57. Card 57

    Question

    Follow likely moved or copied lines while blaming notes.txt.

    Answer

    git blame -M -C notes.txt adds move and copy detection heuristics.

    git blame -M -C notes.txt
    

    The result is still a clue for investigation, not an ownership verdict.

58. Card 58

    Question

    Replay the current branch's local commits on top of main.

    Answer

    git rebase main rewrites those commits onto the new base.

    git rebase main
    

    Use it on unshared work, or coordinate before rewriting commits other people may use.

59. Card 59

    Question

    Move the branch back one commit while keeping all reverted changes staged.

    Answer

    git reset --soft HEAD~1 moves HEAD but leaves the index and working tree intact.

    git reset --soft HEAD~1
    

    This rewrites the local branch tip and is best kept to unshared history.

60. Card 60

    Question

    Create an annotated release tag v1.0.0 at the current commit.

    Answer

    git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release 1.0.0" creates a tag object with a message.

    git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release 1.0.0"
    

    Tags aren't pushed automatically unless you push them explicitly.

61. Card 61

    Question

    Start a regression search with HEAD known bad and HEAD~4 known good.

    Answer

    git bisect start, followed by bad and good boundaries, begins binary search through the range.

    git bisect start
    git bisect bad HEAD
    git bisect good HEAD~4
    

    Git checks out a midpoint for you to test.

62. Card 62

    Question

    Fetch the upstream branch, then replay local commits on top of it.

    Answer

    git pull --rebase combines fetch with a rebase-based integration.

    git pull --rebase
    

    It rewrites local commits, so inspect the branch and keep shared-history expectations in mind.

63. Card 63

    Question

    Commit the staged update as Update notes while leaving unstaged edits out.

    Answer

    git commit -m "Update notes" records the index, not every working-tree edit.

    git commit -m "Update notes"
    

    Review both git diff --staged and git diff when the split matters.

64. Card 64

    Question

    Undo the current non-merge commit with a new commit instead of moving the branch backward.

    Answer

    git revert HEAD applies the inverse of the current non-merge commit and records it as a new commit.

    git revert HEAD
    

    For a merge commit, inspect its parents and use the mainline form taught later: git revert -m <parent-number> <merge-commit>. Revert preserves shared history, which usually makes it safer than reset for published commits.

65. Card 65

    Question

    Delete the fully merged local branch feature/login.

    Answer

    git branch -d feature/login deletes the branch only when Git considers it merged.

    git branch -d feature/login
    

    The lowercase -d guard helps prevent accidental loss of unmerged branch tips.

66. Card 66

    Question

    Inspect HEAD~1 without moving any branch name.

    Answer

    git switch --detach HEAD~1 checks out the commit in detached-HEAD mode.

    git switch --detach HEAD~1
    

    Create a branch before leaving if you make commits you want to keep.

67. Card 67

    Question

    Find one best common ancestor of main and feature/login.

    Answer

    git merge-base main feature/login prints one best merge base.

    git merge-base main feature/login
    

    Criss-cross histories can have multiple equally best bases. Use git merge-base --all main feature/login when every best base matters; without --all, Git chooses one unspecified best base.

68. Card 68

    Question

    Print the top-level directory of the current working tree.

    Answer

    git rev-parse --show-toplevel resolves the repository root path.

    git rev-parse --show-toplevel
    

    It fails outside a working tree, which is useful in scripts that require one.

69. Card 69

    Question

    Inspect recent local movements of HEAD.

    Answer

    git reflog --oneline shows the local reference-update history in compact form.

    git reflog --oneline
    

    It can reveal commits hidden by reset or rebase while their objects still exist.

70. Card 70

    Question

    List stashes, then summarize the newest stash's changed paths.

    Answer

    git stash list names the entries, and git stash show --stat stash@{0} summarizes the newest one.

    git stash list
    git stash show --stat stash@{0}
    

    Neither command removes or applies the stash.

71. Card 71

    Question

    Apply the tip commit from feature/login without conflicts and record where it came from.

    Answer

    git cherry-pick -x feature/login applies the commit and, when it applies without conflicts, adds a source-commit line to the message.

    git cherry-pick -x feature/login
    

    Use -x when the trace is useful and the picked commit is public enough to name.

72. Card 72

    Question

    Preview which untracked files under scratch/ Git would delete.

    Answer

    git clean -nd -- scratch/ performs a scoped dry run.

    git clean -nd -- scratch/
    

    Run the preview before replacing -n with -f; ignored files aren't included here.

73. Card 73

    Question

    Identify conflicted paths after a merge stops.

    Answer

    git status --short marks unmerged paths with combinations such as UU.

    git status --short
    

    Resolve each path, stage the result, then complete the merge commit—or abort the merge.

74. Card 74

    Question

    Continue a rebase after resolving and staging its conflicts.

    Answer

    git rebase --continue records the resolved step and moves to the next commit.

    git rebase --continue
    

    If the resolution is wrong or the rewrite is no longer wanted, abort instead.

75. Card 75

    Question

    List every working tree attached to the repository.

    Answer

    git worktree list shows each path, checked-out commit, and branch when attached.

    git worktree list
    

    A branch normally can't be checked out in two worktrees at once.

76. Card 76

    Question

    Fetch and integrate the upstream with merge semantics rather than rebase.

    Answer

    git pull --no-rebase fetches, then merges the selected upstream.

    git pull --no-rebase
    

    Use an explicit policy so the integration behavior isn't a surprise.

77. Card 77

    Question

    Interactively discard selected unstaged hunks from notes.txt.

    Answer

    git restore -p notes.txt asks which working-tree hunks to restore from the index.

    git restore -p notes.txt
    

    Accepted hunks are discarded, so review each prompt carefully.

78. Card 78

    Question

    Delete the remote branch feature/login from origin.

    Answer

    git push origin --delete feature/login removes that remote ref.

    git push origin --delete feature/login
    

    It doesn't delete anyone's local branch or existing commits immediately.

79. Card 79

    Question

    Mark HEAD~4 as a known good boundary during a bisect session.

    Answer

    git bisect good HEAD~4 tells Git that the named commit doesn't contain the bug.

    git bisect good HEAD~4
    

    Git uses good and bad boundaries to choose the next midpoint.

80. Card 80

    Question

    Delete the local tag v1.0.0.

    Answer

    git tag -d v1.0.0 removes the local tag reference.

    git tag -d v1.0.0
    

    A remote copy, if any, needs a separate remote update.

81. Card 81

    Question

    Move the branch back one commit and discard the index and working-tree changes.

    Answer

    git reset --hard HEAD~1 makes the branch, index, and tracked working tree match HEAD~1.

    git reset --hard HEAD~1
    

    This is destructive. It can also delete or overwrite untracked files or directories that obstruct paths tracked by the target commit. Confirm the target and move wanted work first.

82. Card 82

    Question

    Give the current commit a human-readable name based on reachable tags.

    Answer

    git describe --tags --always uses the nearest tag when possible and falls back to an object name.

    git describe --tags --always
    

    It reads history without creating or moving a tag.

83. Card 83

    Question

    Continue a cherry-pick after resolving and staging its conflicts.

    Answer

    git cherry-pick --continue finishes the current picked commit.

    git cherry-pick --continue
    

    Git may continue to another commit if the original request included a sequence.

84. Card 84

    Question

    Delete ordinary, non-ignored untracked files and directories only under scratch/.

    Answer

    git clean -fd -- scratch/ removes ordinary, non-ignored untracked files and directories under that path.

    git clean -fd -- scratch/
    

    It leaves ignored content and nested Git repositories in place. This can't be recovered through normal Git history, so run the matching dry run first.

85. Card 85

    Question

    Apply the inverse of the current non-merge commit to the index and working tree without committing yet.

    Answer

    git revert --no-commit HEAD prepares the inverse of the current non-merge commit for inspection.

    git revert --no-commit HEAD
    

    For a merge commit, inspect its parents and use the mainline form taught later: git revert -m <parent-number> <merge-commit>. You can combine or edit the prepared change before creating a commit.

86. Card 86

    Question

    Apply the newest stash while keeping it in the stash list.

    Answer

    git stash apply stash@{0} reapplies the entry without dropping it.

    git stash apply stash@{0}
    

    Use pop only when you want a successful apply to remove the entry automatically.

87. Card 87

    Question

    Create branch recovered at the previous recorded location of HEAD.

    Answer

    git branch recovered HEAD@{1} gives the reflog entry a durable branch name.

    git branch recovered HEAD@{1}
    

    Inspect the entry first; reflog positions change as new reference updates happen.

88. Card 88

    Question

    Abandon the current conflicted merge and return to its pre-merge state.

    Answer

    git merge --abort stops the in-progress merge.

    git merge --abort
    

    Uncommitted changes that predated the merge can make exact reconstruction harder, so start risky merges from a clear state.

89. Card 89

    Question

    Unstage notes.txt with the older path-specific reset form.

    Answer

    git reset HEAD -- notes.txt resets only the index entry and keeps working-tree edits.

    git reset HEAD -- notes.txt
    

    Modern instructions usually prefer git restore --staged notes.txt for this job.

90. Card 90

    Question

    Remove the clean linked working tree at ../hotfix.

    Answer

    git worktree remove ../hotfix removes that working tree and its administrative record.

    git worktree remove ../hotfix
    

    It refuses a dirty working tree unless you force it; inspect and save work instead of forcing by habit.

91. Card 91

    Question

    Force-update feature/login only if its remote tip matches your local origin/feature/login expectation.

    Answer

    git push --force-with-lease origin feature/login compares the remote branch with the local remote-tracking ref before force-updating.

    git push --force-with-lease origin feature/login
    

    Background or automatic fetches can move that local ref and weaken the check. Inspect the fetched tip, coordinate the rewrite, and use an explicit <ref>:<expect> lease when exact protection matters.

92. Card 92

    Question

    Abandon the current rebase and restore the branch to its pre-rebase state.

    Answer

    git rebase --abort stops the rewrite and restores the original branch tip.

    git rebase --abort
    

    Use it when the conflict resolution or rewrite plan isn't worth continuing.

93. Card 93

    Question

    Revert the current merge commit while keeping its first parent as the mainline.

    Answer

    git revert -m 1 HEAD creates an inverse change relative to parent 1.

    git revert -m 1 HEAD
    

    Choosing the wrong mainline changes the meaning, so inspect the merge's parents first. Its ancestors remain integrated in history, which means a later merge may not restore the reverted tree changes automatically.

94. Card 94

    Question

    End a bisect session and return to the branch or commit checked out before it.

    Answer

    git bisect reset restores the pre-bisect checkout.

    git bisect reset
    

    Run it after identifying the first bad commit or when abandoning the search.

95. Card 95

    Question

    Read the reflog specifically for HEAD.

    Answer

    git reflog show HEAD displays local movements recorded for HEAD.

    git reflog show HEAD
    

    Reflogs are local recovery records; they aren't a shared remote audit log.

96. Card 96

    Question

    Abandon the current conflicted cherry-pick.

    Answer

    git cherry-pick --abort restores the state from before the cherry-pick sequence.

    git cherry-pick --abort
    

    Use it instead of stacking unrelated cleanup commands onto a failed pick.

97. Card 97

    Question

    Interactively edit the last three local commits before sharing them.

    Answer

    git rebase -i HEAD~3 opens a plan for reordering, editing, squashing, or dropping those commits.

    git rebase -i HEAD~3
    

    Every changed commit gets a new ID. Keep interactive rebase to unshared work unless everyone has coordinated.

98. Card 98

    Question

    Run ./test.sh automatically at each midpoint of an active bisect.

    Answer

    git bisect run ./test.sh classifies commits from the script's exit status.

    git bisect run ./test.sh
    

    The test must be deterministic: exit 0 for good, 1–127 except 125 for bad, and 125 to skip an untestable commit.

98 cards

Git Commands Flashcards: Everyday Workflow, Branching & Recovery

Study this deck for free

Flashcards opens so you can start studying.