.. _git-basics:

Basic git commands
==================

In your project directory, there should now be the files from the example project. These are still untracked by git.

In the following, you will use the 4 most basic git commands to transfer the changes from your local repository to GitLab.

1. Check repository status

2. Stage changes

3. Commit changes 

4. Push to GitLab

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You can either use Git through the **Terminal** or through the convenient **visual interface** of Visual Studio Code.

This section covers the basic workflow in both ways, you should stick to one of them.

----

.. _check-status:

Check Repository Status
-----------------------

**Visual Studio Code**

1. Open your project folder in VS Code.
2. Click the **Source Control** icon in the Activity Bar (third icon on the left sidebar),
   or press ``Ctrl+Shift+G`` (Windows/Linux) / ``Cmd+Shift+G`` (Mac).
3. The Source Control panel shows:
   - Modified files under **Changes**.
   - Files staged for commit under **Staged Changes**.

----

**Terminal**

.. code-block:: bash

   git status

----

.. _stage-changes:

Stage Changes
-------------

**Visual Studio Code**

1. Hover over a file in **Changes** and click the **+** icon to stage it.
2. To stage all files, click the **+** icon next to **Changes**.

----

**Terminal**

Add individual files:

.. code-block:: bash

   git add <filename>

Or add all changes:

.. code-block:: bash

   git add .

----

.. _commit-changes:

Commit Changes
--------------

**Visual Studio Code**

1. Type your commit message in the box at the top of the Source Control panel.
2. Click the checkmark **✔** to commit staged changes.

----

**Terminal**

.. code-block:: bash

   git commit -m "Describe your change here"

----

.. _push-changes:

Push to GitLab
--------------

**Visual Studio Code**

1. Click the **...** menu in the Source Control panel.
2. Select **Push**.
3. Your commits will be uploaded to GitLab.

----

**Terminal**

.. code-block:: bash

   git push

----

Now, open your GitLab project in your browser and verify that the changes have been synchronized. Congratulations, you did your first push!

For more commands, check the `GitLab cheat sheet <https://about.gitlab.com/../images/press/git-cheat-sheet.pdf>`_ for more commands.

It should be mentioned here, that you can also initialize git repos in your project folder and push them to an empty repository.