Everyday GIT With 20 Commands Or So
===================================
-GIT suite has over 100 commands, and the manual page for each of
-them discusses what the command does and how it is used in
-detail, but until you know what command should be used in order
-to achieve what you want to do, you cannot tell which manual
-page to look at, and if you know that already you do not need
-the manual.
-
-Does that mean you need to know all of them before you can use
-git? Not at all. Depending on the role you play, the set of
-commands you need to know is slightly different, but in any case
-what you need to learn is far smaller than the full set of
-commands to carry out your day-to-day work. This document is to
-serve as a cheat-sheet and a set of pointers for people playing
-various roles.
-
-<<Basic Repository>> commands are needed by people who has a
+<<Basic Repository>> commands are needed by people who have a
repository --- that is everybody, because every working tree of
git is a repository.
works alone.
If you work with other people, you will need commands listed in
-<<Individual Developer (Participant)>> section as well.
+the <<Individual Developer (Participant)>> section as well.
-People who play <<Integrator>> role need to learn some more
+People who play the <<Integrator>> role need to learn some more
commands in addition to the above.
<<Repository Administration>> commands are for system
-administrators who are responsible to care and feed git
-repositories to support developers.
+administrators who are responsible for the care and feeding
+of git repositories.
Basic Repository[[Basic Repository]]
------------------------------------
-Everybody uses these commands to feed and care git repositories.
+Everybody uses these commands to maintain git repositories.
- * gitlink:git-init-db[1] or gitlink:git-clone[1] to create a
+ * linkgit:git-init[1] or linkgit:git-clone[1] to create a
new repository.
- * gitlink:git-fsck-objects[1] to validate the repository.
+ * linkgit:git-fsck[1] to check the repository for errors.
- * gitlink:git-prune[1] to garbage collect crufts in the
- repository.
-
- * gitlink:git-repack[1] to pack loose objects for efficiency.
+ * linkgit:git-gc[1] to do common housekeeping tasks such as
+ repack and prune.
Examples
~~~~~~~~
Check health and remove cruft.::
+
------------
-$ git fsck-objects <1>
-$ git prune
+$ git fsck <1>
$ git count-objects <2>
-$ git repack <3>
-$ git prune <4>
+$ git gc <3>
------------
+
-<1> running without "--full" is usually cheap and assures the
+<1> running without `\--full` is usually cheap and assures the
repository health reasonably well.
<2> check how many loose objects there are and how much
disk space is wasted by not repacking.
-<3> without "-a" repacks incrementally. repacking every 4-5MB
-of loose objects accumulation may be a good rule of thumb.
-<4> after repack, prune removes the duplicate loose objects.
+<3> repacks the local repository and performs other housekeeping tasks. Running
+without `--prune` is a safe operation even while other ones are in progress.
Repack a small project into single pack.::
+
------------
-$ git repack -a -d <1>
-$ git prune
+$ git gc <1>
+$ git gc --prune
------------
+
-<1> pack all the objects reachable from the refs into one pack
-and remove unneeded other packs
+<1> pack all the objects reachable from the refs into one pack,
+then remove the other packs.
Individual Developer (Standalone)[[Individual Developer (Standalone)]]
other people, and works alone in a single repository, using the
following commands.
- * gitlink:git-show-branch[1] to see where you are.
+ * linkgit:git-show-branch[1] to see where you are.
- * gitlink:git-log[1] to see what happened.
+ * linkgit:git-log[1] to see what happened.
- * gitlink:git-whatchanged[1] to find out where things have
- come from.
-
- * gitlink:git-checkout[1] and gitlink:git-branch[1] to switch
+ * linkgit:git-checkout[1] and linkgit:git-branch[1] to switch
branches.
- * gitlink:git-add[1] and gitlink:git-update-index[1] to manage
- the index file.
+ * linkgit:git-add[1] to manage the index file.
- * gitlink:git-diff[1] and gitlink:git-status[1] to see what
+ * linkgit:git-diff[1] and linkgit:git-status[1] to see what
you are in the middle of doing.
- * gitlink:git-commit[1] to advance the current branch.
+ * linkgit:git-commit[1] to advance the current branch.
- * gitlink:git-reset[1] and gitlink:git-checkout[1] (with
+ * linkgit:git-reset[1] and linkgit:git-checkout[1] (with
pathname parameters) to undo changes.
- * gitlink:git-pull[1] with "." as the remote to merge between
- local branches.
+ * linkgit:git-merge[1] to merge between local branches.
- * gitlink:git-rebase[1] to maintain topic branches.
+ * linkgit:git-rebase[1] to maintain topic branches.
- * gitlink:git-tag[1] to mark known point.
+ * linkgit:git-tag[1] to mark known point.
Examples
~~~~~~~~
-Extract a tarball and create a working tree and a new repository to keep track of it.::
+Use a tarball as a starting point for a new repository.::
+
------------
$ tar zxf frotz.tar.gz
$ cd frotz
-$ git-init-db
+$ git-init
$ git add . <1>
-$ git commit -m 'import of frotz source tree.'
+$ git commit -m "import of frotz source tree."
$ git tag v2.43 <2>
------------
+
$ git checkout -- curses/ux_audio_oss.c <2>
$ git add curses/ux_audio_alsa.c <3>
$ edit/compile/test
-$ git diff <4>
+$ git diff HEAD <4>
$ git commit -a -s <5>
$ edit/compile/test
$ git reset --soft HEAD^ <6>
$ git diff ORIG_HEAD <7>
$ git commit -a -c ORIG_HEAD <8>
$ git checkout master <9>
-$ git pull . alsa-audio <10>
+$ git merge alsa-audio <10>
$ git log --since='3 days ago' <11>
$ git log v2.43.. curses/ <12>
------------
+
<1> create a new topic branch.
-<2> revert your botched changes in "curses/ux_audio_oss.c".
+<2> revert your botched changes in `curses/ux_audio_oss.c`.
<3> you need to tell git if you added a new file; removal and
-modification will be caught if you do "commit -a" later.
+modification will be caught if you do `git commit -a` later.
<4> to see what changes you are committing.
<5> commit everything as you have tested, with your sign-off.
<6> take the last commit back, keeping what is in the working tree.
<8> redo the commit undone in the previous step, using the message
you originally wrote.
<9> switch to the master branch.
-<10> merge a topic branch into your master branch
+<10> merge a topic branch into your master branch.
<11> review commit logs; other forms to limit output can be
-combined and include --max-count=10 (show 10 commits), --until='2005-12-10'.
-<12> view only the changes that touch what's in curses/
-directory, since v2.43 tag.
+combined and include `\--max-count=10` (show 10 commits),
+`\--until=2005-12-10`, etc.
+<12> view only the changes that touch what's in `curses/`
+directory, since `v2.43` tag.
Individual Developer (Participant)[[Individual Developer (Participant)]]
learn how to communicate with others, and uses these commands in
addition to the ones needed by a standalone developer.
- * gitlink:git-clone[1] from the upstream to prime your local
+ * linkgit:git-clone[1] from the upstream to prime your local
repository.
- * gitlink:git-pull[1] and gitlink:git-fetch[1] from "origin"
+ * linkgit:git-pull[1] and linkgit:git-fetch[1] from "origin"
to keep up-to-date with the upstream.
- * gitlink:git-push[1] to shared repository, if you adopt CVS
+ * linkgit:git-push[1] to shared repository, if you adopt CVS
style shared repository workflow.
- * gitlink:git-format-patch[1] to prepare e-mail submission, if
+ * linkgit:git-format-patch[1] to prepare e-mail submission, if
you adopt Linux kernel-style public forum workflow.
Examples
$ edit/compile/test; git commit -a -s <1>
$ git format-patch origin <2>
$ git pull <3>
-$ git whatchanged -p ORIG_HEAD.. arch/i386 include/asm-i386 <4>
+$ git log -p ORIG_HEAD.. arch/i386 include/asm-i386 <4>
$ git pull git://git.kernel.org/pub/.../jgarzik/libata-dev.git ALL <5>
$ git reset --hard ORIG_HEAD <6>
-$ git prune <7>
+$ git gc --prune <7>
$ git fetch --tags <8>
------------
+
<1> repeat as needed.
<2> extract patches from your branch for e-mail submission.
-<3> "pull" fetches from "origin" by default and merges into the
+<3> `git pull` fetches from `origin` by default and merges into the
current branch.
<4> immediately after pulling, look at the changes done upstream
since last time we checked, only in the
<5> fetch from a specific branch from a specific repository and merge.
<6> revert the pull.
<7> garbage collect leftover objects from reverted pull.
-<8> from time to time, obtain official tags from the "origin"
-and store them under .git/refs/tags/.
+<8> from time to time, obtain official tags from the `origin`
+and store them under `.git/refs/tags/`.
Push into another repository.::
+
------------
-satellite$ git clone mothership:frotz/.git frotz <1>
+satellite$ git clone mothership:frotz frotz <1>
satellite$ cd frotz
-satellite$ cat .git/remotes/origin <2>
-URL: mothership:frotz/.git
-Pull: master:origin
-satellite$ echo 'Push: master:satellite' >>.git/remotes/origin <3>
+satellite$ git config --get-regexp '^(remote|branch)\.' <2>
+remote.origin.url mothership:frotz
+remote.origin.fetch refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*
+branch.master.remote origin
+branch.master.merge refs/heads/master
+satellite$ git config remote.origin.push \
+ master:refs/remotes/satellite/master <3>
satellite$ edit/compile/test/commit
satellite$ git push origin <4>
mothership$ cd frotz
mothership$ git checkout master
-mothership$ git pull . satellite <5>
+mothership$ git merge satellite/master <5>
------------
+
<1> mothership machine has a frotz repository under your home
directory; clone from it to start a repository on the satellite
machine.
-<2> clone creates this file by default. It arranges "git pull"
-to fetch and store the master branch head of mothership machine
-to local "origin" branch.
-<3> arrange "git push" to push local "master" branch to
-"satellite" branch of the mothership machine.
-<4> push will stash our work away on "satellite" branch on the
-mothership machine. You could use this as a back-up method.
+<2> clone sets these configuration variables by default.
+It arranges `git pull` to fetch and store the branches of mothership
+machine to local `remotes/origin/*` tracking branches.
+<3> arrange `git push` to push local `master` branch to
+`remotes/satellite/master` branch of the mothership machine.
+<4> push will stash our work away on `remotes/satellite/master`
+tracking branch on the mothership machine. You could use this as
+a back-up method.
<5> on mothership machine, merge the work done on the satellite
machine into the master branch.
+
<1> create a private branch based on a well known (but somewhat behind)
tag.
-<2> forward port all changes in private2.6.14 branch to master branch
+<2> forward port all changes in `private2.6.14` branch to `master` branch
without a formal "merging".
them and publishes the result for others to use, using these
commands in addition to the ones needed by participants.
- * gitlink:git-am[1] to apply patches e-mailed in from your
+ * linkgit:git-am[1] to apply patches e-mailed in from your
contributors.
- * gitlink:git-pull[1] to merge from your trusted lieutenants.
+ * linkgit:git-pull[1] to merge from your trusted lieutenants.
- * gitlink:git-format-patch[1] to prepare and send suggested
+ * linkgit:git-format-patch[1] to prepare and send suggested
alternative to contributors.
- * gitlink:git-revert[1] to undo botched commits.
+ * linkgit:git-revert[1] to undo botched commits.
- * gitlink:git-push[1] to publish the bleeding edge.
+ * linkgit:git-push[1] to publish the bleeding edge.
Examples
& s 2 3 4 5 ./+to-apply
& s 7 8 ./+hold-linus
& q
-$ git checkout master
+$ git checkout -b topic/one master
$ git am -3 -i -s -u ./+to-apply <4>
$ compile/test
$ git checkout -b hold/linus && git am -3 -i -s -u ./+hold-linus <5>
$ git checkout topic/one && git rebase master <6>
-$ git checkout pu && git reset --hard master <7>
-$ git pull . topic/one topic/two && git pull . hold/linus <8>
+$ git checkout pu && git reset --hard next <7>
+$ git merge topic/one topic/two && git merge hold/linus <8>
$ git checkout maint
$ git cherry-pick master~4 <9>
$ compile/test
-$ git tag -s -m 'GIT 0.99.9x' v0.99.9x <10>
+$ git tag -s -m "GIT 0.99.9x" v0.99.9x <10>
$ git fetch ko && git show-branch master maint 'tags/ko-*' <11>
$ git push ko <12>
$ git push ko v0.99.9x <13>
that are not quite ready.
<4> apply them, interactively, with my sign-offs.
<5> create topic branch as needed and apply, again with my
-sign-offs.
+sign-offs.
<6> rebase internal topic branch that has not been merged to the
master, nor exposed as a part of a stable branch.
-<7> restart "pu" every time from the master.
+<7> restart `pu` every time from the next.
<8> and bundle topic branches still cooking.
<9> backport a critical fix.
<10> create a signed tag.
<11> make sure I did not accidentally rewind master beyond what I
-already pushed out. "ko" shorthand points at the repository I have
+already pushed out. `ko` shorthand points at the repository I have
at kernel.org, and looks like this:
- $ cat .git/remotes/ko
- URL: kernel.org:/pub/scm/git/git.git
- Pull: master:refs/tags/ko-master
- Pull: maint:refs/tags/ko-maint
- Push: master
- Push: +pu
- Push: maint
-In the output from "git show-branch", "master" should have
-everything "ko-master" has.
++
+------------
+$ cat .git/remotes/ko
+URL: kernel.org:/pub/scm/git/git.git
+Pull: master:refs/tags/ko-master
+Pull: next:refs/tags/ko-next
+Pull: maint:refs/tags/ko-maint
+Push: master
+Push: next
+Push: +pu
+Push: maint
+------------
++
+In the output from `git show-branch`, `master` should have
+everything `ko-master` has, and `next` should have
+everything `ko-next` has.
+
<12> push out the bleeding edge.
<13> push the tag out, too.
A repository administrator uses the following tools to set up
and maintain access to the repository by developers.
- * gitlink:git-daemon[1] to allow anonymous download from
+ * linkgit:git-daemon[1] to allow anonymous download from
repository.
- * gitlink:git-shell[1] can be used as a 'restricted login shell'
+ * linkgit:git-shell[1] can be used as a 'restricted login shell'
for shared central repository users.
link:howto/update-hook-example.txt[update hook howto] has a good
Examples
~~~~~~~~
+We assume the following in /etc/services::
++
+------------
+$ grep 9418 /etc/services
+git 9418/tcp # Git Version Control System
+------------
+
Run git-daemon to serve /pub/scm from inetd.::
+
------------
$ grep git /etc/inetd.conf
git stream tcp nowait nobody \
- /usr/bin/git-daemon git-daemon --inetd --syslog --export-all /pub/scm
+ /usr/bin/git-daemon git-daemon --inetd --export-all /pub/scm
------------
+
The actual configuration line should be on one line.
wait = no
user = nobody
server = /usr/bin/git-daemon
- server_args = --inetd --syslog --export-all --base-path=/pub/scm
+ server_args = --inetd --export-all --base-path=/pub/scm
log_on_failure += USERID
}
------------
------------
+
<1> log-in shell is set to /usr/bin/git-shell, which does not
-allow anything but "git push" and "git pull". The users should
+allow anything but `git push` and `git pull`. The users should
get an ssh access to the machine.
<2> in many distributions /etc/shells needs to list what is used
as the login shell.