6 git - the stupid content tracker
12 'git' [--version] [--help] [-C <path>] [-c <name>=<value>]
13 [--exec-path[=<path>]] [--html-path] [--man-path] [--info-path]
14 [-p|--paginate|--no-pager] [--no-replace-objects] [--bare]
15 [--git-dir=<path>] [--work-tree=<path>] [--namespace=<name>]
20 Git is a fast, scalable, distributed revision control system with an
21 unusually rich command set that provides both high-level operations
22 and full access to internals.
24 See linkgit:gittutorial[7] to get started, then see
25 link:everyday.html[Everyday Git] for a useful minimum set of
26 commands. The link:user-manual.html[Git User's Manual] has a more
27 in-depth introduction.
29 After you mastered the basic concepts, you can come back to this
30 page to learn what commands Git offers. You can learn more about
31 individual Git commands with "git help command". linkgit:gitcli[7]
32 manual page gives you an overview of the command line command syntax.
34 Formatted and hyperlinked version of the latest Git documentation
35 can be viewed at `http://git-htmldocs.googlecode.com/git/git.html`.
41 You are reading the documentation for the latest (possibly
42 unreleased) version of Git, that is available from 'master'
43 branch of the `git.git` repository.
44 Documentation for older releases are available here:
46 * link:v2.0.4/git.html[documentation for release 2.0.4]
49 link:RelNotes/2.0.4.txt[2.0.4],
50 link:RelNotes/2.0.3.txt[2.0.3],
51 link:RelNotes/2.0.2.txt[2.0.2],
52 link:RelNotes/2.0.1.txt[2.0.1],
53 link:RelNotes/2.0.0.txt[2.0.0].
55 * link:v1.9.4/git.html[documentation for release 1.9.4]
58 link:RelNotes/1.9.4.txt[1.9.4],
59 link:RelNotes/1.9.3.txt[1.9.3],
60 link:RelNotes/1.9.2.txt[1.9.2],
61 link:RelNotes/1.9.1.txt[1.9.1],
62 link:RelNotes/1.9.0.txt[1.9.0].
64 * link:v1.8.5.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.8.5.5]
67 link:RelNotes/1.8.5.5.txt[1.8.5.5],
68 link:RelNotes/1.8.5.4.txt[1.8.5.4],
69 link:RelNotes/1.8.5.3.txt[1.8.5.3],
70 link:RelNotes/1.8.5.2.txt[1.8.5.2],
71 link:RelNotes/1.8.5.1.txt[1.8.5.1],
72 link:RelNotes/1.8.5.txt[1.8.5].
74 * link:v1.8.4.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.8.4.5]
77 link:RelNotes/1.8.4.5.txt[1.8.4.5],
78 link:RelNotes/1.8.4.4.txt[1.8.4.4],
79 link:RelNotes/1.8.4.3.txt[1.8.4.3],
80 link:RelNotes/1.8.4.2.txt[1.8.4.2],
81 link:RelNotes/1.8.4.1.txt[1.8.4.1],
82 link:RelNotes/1.8.4.txt[1.8.4].
84 * link:v1.8.3.4/git.html[documentation for release 1.8.3.4]
87 link:RelNotes/1.8.3.4.txt[1.8.3.4],
88 link:RelNotes/1.8.3.3.txt[1.8.3.3],
89 link:RelNotes/1.8.3.2.txt[1.8.3.2],
90 link:RelNotes/1.8.3.1.txt[1.8.3.1],
91 link:RelNotes/1.8.3.txt[1.8.3].
93 * link:v1.8.2.3/git.html[documentation for release 1.8.2.3]
96 link:RelNotes/1.8.2.3.txt[1.8.2.3],
97 link:RelNotes/1.8.2.2.txt[1.8.2.2],
98 link:RelNotes/1.8.2.1.txt[1.8.2.1],
99 link:RelNotes/1.8.2.txt[1.8.2].
101 * link:v1.8.1.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.8.1.6]
104 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.6.txt[1.8.1.6],
105 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.5.txt[1.8.1.5],
106 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.4.txt[1.8.1.4],
107 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.3.txt[1.8.1.3],
108 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.2.txt[1.8.1.2],
109 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.1.txt[1.8.1.1],
110 link:RelNotes/1.8.1.txt[1.8.1].
112 * link:v1.8.0.3/git.html[documentation for release 1.8.0.3]
115 link:RelNotes/1.8.0.3.txt[1.8.0.3],
116 link:RelNotes/1.8.0.2.txt[1.8.0.2],
117 link:RelNotes/1.8.0.1.txt[1.8.0.1],
118 link:RelNotes/1.8.0.txt[1.8.0].
120 * link:v1.7.12.4/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.12.4]
123 link:RelNotes/1.7.12.4.txt[1.7.12.4],
124 link:RelNotes/1.7.12.3.txt[1.7.12.3],
125 link:RelNotes/1.7.12.2.txt[1.7.12.2],
126 link:RelNotes/1.7.12.1.txt[1.7.12.1],
127 link:RelNotes/1.7.12.txt[1.7.12].
129 * link:v1.7.11.7/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.11.7]
132 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.7.txt[1.7.11.7],
133 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.6.txt[1.7.11.6],
134 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.5.txt[1.7.11.5],
135 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.4.txt[1.7.11.4],
136 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.3.txt[1.7.11.3],
137 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.2.txt[1.7.11.2],
138 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.1.txt[1.7.11.1],
139 link:RelNotes/1.7.11.txt[1.7.11].
141 * link:v1.7.10.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.10.5]
144 link:RelNotes/1.7.10.5.txt[1.7.10.5],
145 link:RelNotes/1.7.10.4.txt[1.7.10.4],
146 link:RelNotes/1.7.10.3.txt[1.7.10.3],
147 link:RelNotes/1.7.10.2.txt[1.7.10.2],
148 link:RelNotes/1.7.10.1.txt[1.7.10.1],
149 link:RelNotes/1.7.10.txt[1.7.10].
151 * link:v1.7.9.7/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.9.7]
154 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.7.txt[1.7.9.7],
155 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.6.txt[1.7.9.6],
156 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.5.txt[1.7.9.5],
157 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.4.txt[1.7.9.4],
158 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.3.txt[1.7.9.3],
159 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.2.txt[1.7.9.2],
160 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.1.txt[1.7.9.1],
161 link:RelNotes/1.7.9.txt[1.7.9].
163 * link:v1.7.8.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.8.6]
166 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.6.txt[1.7.8.6],
167 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.5.txt[1.7.8.5],
168 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.4.txt[1.7.8.4],
169 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.3.txt[1.7.8.3],
170 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.2.txt[1.7.8.2],
171 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.1.txt[1.7.8.1],
172 link:RelNotes/1.7.8.txt[1.7.8].
174 * link:v1.7.7.7/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.7.7]
177 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.7.txt[1.7.7.7],
178 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.6.txt[1.7.7.6],
179 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.5.txt[1.7.7.5],
180 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.4.txt[1.7.7.4],
181 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.3.txt[1.7.7.3],
182 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.2.txt[1.7.7.2],
183 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.1.txt[1.7.7.1],
184 link:RelNotes/1.7.7.txt[1.7.7].
186 * link:v1.7.6.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.6.6]
189 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.6.txt[1.7.6.6],
190 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.5.txt[1.7.6.5],
191 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.4.txt[1.7.6.4],
192 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.3.txt[1.7.6.3],
193 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.2.txt[1.7.6.2],
194 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.1.txt[1.7.6.1],
195 link:RelNotes/1.7.6.txt[1.7.6].
197 * link:v1.7.5.4/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.5.4]
200 link:RelNotes/1.7.5.4.txt[1.7.5.4],
201 link:RelNotes/1.7.5.3.txt[1.7.5.3],
202 link:RelNotes/1.7.5.2.txt[1.7.5.2],
203 link:RelNotes/1.7.5.1.txt[1.7.5.1],
204 link:RelNotes/1.7.5.txt[1.7.5].
206 * link:v1.7.4.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.4.5]
209 link:RelNotes/1.7.4.5.txt[1.7.4.5],
210 link:RelNotes/1.7.4.4.txt[1.7.4.4],
211 link:RelNotes/1.7.4.3.txt[1.7.4.3],
212 link:RelNotes/1.7.4.2.txt[1.7.4.2],
213 link:RelNotes/1.7.4.1.txt[1.7.4.1],
214 link:RelNotes/1.7.4.txt[1.7.4].
216 * link:v1.7.3.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.3.5]
219 link:RelNotes/1.7.3.5.txt[1.7.3.5],
220 link:RelNotes/1.7.3.4.txt[1.7.3.4],
221 link:RelNotes/1.7.3.3.txt[1.7.3.3],
222 link:RelNotes/1.7.3.2.txt[1.7.3.2],
223 link:RelNotes/1.7.3.1.txt[1.7.3.1],
224 link:RelNotes/1.7.3.txt[1.7.3].
226 * link:v1.7.2.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.2.5]
229 link:RelNotes/1.7.2.5.txt[1.7.2.5],
230 link:RelNotes/1.7.2.4.txt[1.7.2.4],
231 link:RelNotes/1.7.2.3.txt[1.7.2.3],
232 link:RelNotes/1.7.2.2.txt[1.7.2.2],
233 link:RelNotes/1.7.2.1.txt[1.7.2.1],
234 link:RelNotes/1.7.2.txt[1.7.2].
236 * link:v1.7.1.4/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.1.4]
239 link:RelNotes/1.7.1.4.txt[1.7.1.4],
240 link:RelNotes/1.7.1.3.txt[1.7.1.3],
241 link:RelNotes/1.7.1.2.txt[1.7.1.2],
242 link:RelNotes/1.7.1.1.txt[1.7.1.1],
243 link:RelNotes/1.7.1.txt[1.7.1].
245 * link:v1.7.0.9/git.html[documentation for release 1.7.0.9]
248 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.9.txt[1.7.0.9],
249 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.8.txt[1.7.0.8],
250 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.7.txt[1.7.0.7],
251 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.6.txt[1.7.0.6],
252 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.5.txt[1.7.0.5],
253 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.4.txt[1.7.0.4],
254 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.3.txt[1.7.0.3],
255 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.2.txt[1.7.0.2],
256 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.1.txt[1.7.0.1],
257 link:RelNotes/1.7.0.txt[1.7.0].
259 * link:v1.6.6.3/git.html[documentation for release 1.6.6.3]
262 link:RelNotes/1.6.6.3.txt[1.6.6.3],
263 link:RelNotes/1.6.6.2.txt[1.6.6.2],
264 link:RelNotes/1.6.6.1.txt[1.6.6.1],
265 link:RelNotes/1.6.6.txt[1.6.6].
267 * link:v1.6.5.9/git.html[documentation for release 1.6.5.9]
270 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.9.txt[1.6.5.9],
271 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.8.txt[1.6.5.8],
272 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.7.txt[1.6.5.7],
273 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.6.txt[1.6.5.6],
274 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.5.txt[1.6.5.5],
275 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.4.txt[1.6.5.4],
276 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.3.txt[1.6.5.3],
277 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.2.txt[1.6.5.2],
278 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.1.txt[1.6.5.1],
279 link:RelNotes/1.6.5.txt[1.6.5].
281 * link:v1.6.4.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.6.4.5]
284 link:RelNotes/1.6.4.5.txt[1.6.4.5],
285 link:RelNotes/1.6.4.4.txt[1.6.4.4],
286 link:RelNotes/1.6.4.3.txt[1.6.4.3],
287 link:RelNotes/1.6.4.2.txt[1.6.4.2],
288 link:RelNotes/1.6.4.1.txt[1.6.4.1],
289 link:RelNotes/1.6.4.txt[1.6.4].
291 * link:v1.6.3.4/git.html[documentation for release 1.6.3.4]
294 link:RelNotes/1.6.3.4.txt[1.6.3.4],
295 link:RelNotes/1.6.3.3.txt[1.6.3.3],
296 link:RelNotes/1.6.3.2.txt[1.6.3.2],
297 link:RelNotes/1.6.3.1.txt[1.6.3.1],
298 link:RelNotes/1.6.3.txt[1.6.3].
301 link:RelNotes/1.6.2.5.txt[1.6.2.5],
302 link:RelNotes/1.6.2.4.txt[1.6.2.4],
303 link:RelNotes/1.6.2.3.txt[1.6.2.3],
304 link:RelNotes/1.6.2.2.txt[1.6.2.2],
305 link:RelNotes/1.6.2.1.txt[1.6.2.1],
306 link:RelNotes/1.6.2.txt[1.6.2].
308 * link:v1.6.1.3/git.html[documentation for release 1.6.1.3]
311 link:RelNotes/1.6.1.3.txt[1.6.1.3],
312 link:RelNotes/1.6.1.2.txt[1.6.1.2],
313 link:RelNotes/1.6.1.1.txt[1.6.1.1],
314 link:RelNotes/1.6.1.txt[1.6.1].
316 * link:v1.6.0.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.6.0.6]
319 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.6.txt[1.6.0.6],
320 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.5.txt[1.6.0.5],
321 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.4.txt[1.6.0.4],
322 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.3.txt[1.6.0.3],
323 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.2.txt[1.6.0.2],
324 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.1.txt[1.6.0.1],
325 link:RelNotes/1.6.0.txt[1.6.0].
327 * link:v1.5.6.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.6.6]
330 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.6.txt[1.5.6.6],
331 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.5.txt[1.5.6.5],
332 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.4.txt[1.5.6.4],
333 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.3.txt[1.5.6.3],
334 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.2.txt[1.5.6.2],
335 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.1.txt[1.5.6.1],
336 link:RelNotes/1.5.6.txt[1.5.6].
338 * link:v1.5.5.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.5.6]
341 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.6.txt[1.5.5.6],
342 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.5.txt[1.5.5.5],
343 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.4.txt[1.5.5.4],
344 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.3.txt[1.5.5.3],
345 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.2.txt[1.5.5.2],
346 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.1.txt[1.5.5.1],
347 link:RelNotes/1.5.5.txt[1.5.5].
349 * link:v1.5.4.7/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.4.7]
352 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.7.txt[1.5.4.7],
353 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.6.txt[1.5.4.6],
354 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.5.txt[1.5.4.5],
355 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.4.txt[1.5.4.4],
356 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.3.txt[1.5.4.3],
357 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.2.txt[1.5.4.2],
358 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.1.txt[1.5.4.1],
359 link:RelNotes/1.5.4.txt[1.5.4].
361 * link:v1.5.3.8/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.3.8]
364 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.8.txt[1.5.3.8],
365 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.7.txt[1.5.3.7],
366 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.6.txt[1.5.3.6],
367 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.5.txt[1.5.3.5],
368 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.4.txt[1.5.3.4],
369 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.3.txt[1.5.3.3],
370 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.2.txt[1.5.3.2],
371 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.1.txt[1.5.3.1],
372 link:RelNotes/1.5.3.txt[1.5.3].
374 * link:v1.5.2.5/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.2.5]
377 link:RelNotes/1.5.2.5.txt[1.5.2.5],
378 link:RelNotes/1.5.2.4.txt[1.5.2.4],
379 link:RelNotes/1.5.2.3.txt[1.5.2.3],
380 link:RelNotes/1.5.2.2.txt[1.5.2.2],
381 link:RelNotes/1.5.2.1.txt[1.5.2.1],
382 link:RelNotes/1.5.2.txt[1.5.2].
384 * link:v1.5.1.6/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.1.6]
387 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.6.txt[1.5.1.6],
388 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.5.txt[1.5.1.5],
389 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.4.txt[1.5.1.4],
390 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.3.txt[1.5.1.3],
391 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.2.txt[1.5.1.2],
392 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.1.txt[1.5.1.1],
393 link:RelNotes/1.5.1.txt[1.5.1].
395 * link:v1.5.0.7/git.html[documentation for release 1.5.0.7]
398 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.7.txt[1.5.0.7],
399 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.6.txt[1.5.0.6],
400 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.5.txt[1.5.0.5],
401 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.3.txt[1.5.0.3],
402 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.2.txt[1.5.0.2],
403 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.1.txt[1.5.0.1],
404 link:RelNotes/1.5.0.txt[1.5.0].
406 * documentation for release link:v1.4.4.4/git.html[1.4.4.4],
407 link:v1.3.3/git.html[1.3.3],
408 link:v1.2.6/git.html[1.2.6],
409 link:v1.0.13/git.html[1.0.13].
418 Prints the Git suite version that the 'git' program came from.
421 Prints the synopsis and a list of the most commonly used
422 commands. If the option '--all' or '-a' is given then all
423 available commands are printed. If a Git command is named this
424 option will bring up the manual page for that command.
426 Other options are available to control how the manual page is
427 displayed. See linkgit:git-help[1] for more information,
428 because `git --help ...` is converted internally into `git
432 Run as if git was started in '<path>' instead of the current working
433 directory. When multiple `-C` options are given, each subsequent
434 non-absolute `-C <path>` is interpreted relative to the preceding `-C
437 This option affects options that expect path name like `--git-dir` and
438 `--work-tree` in that their interpretations of the path names would be
439 made relative to the working directory caused by the `-C` option. For
440 example the following invocations are equivalent:
442 git --git-dir=a.git --work-tree=b -C c status
443 git --git-dir=c/a.git --work-tree=c/b status
446 Pass a configuration parameter to the command. The value
447 given will override values from configuration files.
448 The <name> is expected in the same format as listed by
449 'git config' (subkeys separated by dots).
451 --exec-path[=<path>]::
452 Path to wherever your core Git programs are installed.
453 This can also be controlled by setting the GIT_EXEC_PATH
454 environment variable. If no path is given, 'git' will print
455 the current setting and then exit.
458 Print the path, without trailing slash, where Git's HTML
459 documentation is installed and exit.
462 Print the manpath (see `man(1)`) for the man pages for
463 this version of Git and exit.
466 Print the path where the Info files documenting this
467 version of Git are installed and exit.
471 Pipe all output into 'less' (or if set, $PAGER) if standard
472 output is a terminal. This overrides the `pager.<cmd>`
473 configuration options (see the "Configuration Mechanism" section
477 Do not pipe Git output into a pager.
480 Set the path to the repository. This can also be controlled by
481 setting the GIT_DIR environment variable. It can be an absolute
482 path or relative path to current working directory.
485 Set the path to the working tree. It can be an absolute path
486 or a path relative to the current working directory.
487 This can also be controlled by setting the GIT_WORK_TREE
488 environment variable and the core.worktree configuration
489 variable (see core.worktree in linkgit:git-config[1] for a
490 more detailed discussion).
493 Set the Git namespace. See linkgit:gitnamespaces[7] for more
494 details. Equivalent to setting the `GIT_NAMESPACE` environment
498 Treat the repository as a bare repository. If GIT_DIR
499 environment is not set, it is set to the current working
502 --no-replace-objects::
503 Do not use replacement refs to replace Git objects. See
504 linkgit:git-replace[1] for more information.
506 --literal-pathspecs::
507 Treat pathspecs literally (i.e. no globbing, no pathspec magic).
508 This is equivalent to setting the `GIT_LITERAL_PATHSPECS` environment
512 Add "glob" magic to all pathspec. This is equivalent to setting
513 the `GIT_GLOB_PATHSPECS` environment variable to `1`. Disabling
514 globbing on individual pathspecs can be done using pathspec
518 Add "literal" magic to all pathspec. This is equivalent to setting
519 the `GIT_NOGLOB_PATHSPECS` environment variable to `1`. Enabling
520 globbing on individual pathspecs can be done using pathspec
524 Add "icase" magic to all pathspec. This is equivalent to setting
525 the `GIT_ICASE_PATHSPECS` environment variable to `1`.
530 We divide Git into high level ("porcelain") commands and low level
531 ("plumbing") commands.
533 High-level commands (porcelain)
534 -------------------------------
536 We separate the porcelain commands into the main commands and some
537 ancillary user utilities.
539 Main porcelain commands
540 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
542 include::cmds-mainporcelain.txt[]
548 include::cmds-ancillarymanipulators.txt[]
552 include::cmds-ancillaryinterrogators.txt[]
555 Interacting with Others
556 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
558 These commands are to interact with foreign SCM and with other
559 people via patch over e-mail.
561 include::cmds-foreignscminterface.txt[]
564 Low-level commands (plumbing)
565 -----------------------------
567 Although Git includes its
568 own porcelain layer, its low-level commands are sufficient to support
569 development of alternative porcelains. Developers of such porcelains
570 might start by reading about linkgit:git-update-index[1] and
571 linkgit:git-read-tree[1].
573 The interface (input, output, set of options and the semantics)
574 to these low-level commands are meant to be a lot more stable
575 than Porcelain level commands, because these commands are
576 primarily for scripted use. The interface to Porcelain commands
577 on the other hand are subject to change in order to improve the
580 The following description divides
581 the low-level commands into commands that manipulate objects (in
582 the repository, index, and working tree), commands that interrogate and
583 compare objects, and commands that move objects and references between
587 Manipulation commands
588 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
590 include::cmds-plumbingmanipulators.txt[]
593 Interrogation commands
594 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
596 include::cmds-plumbinginterrogators.txt[]
598 In general, the interrogate commands do not touch the files in
602 Synching repositories
603 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
605 include::cmds-synchingrepositories.txt[]
607 The following are helper commands used by the above; end users
608 typically do not use them directly.
610 include::cmds-synchelpers.txt[]
613 Internal helper commands
614 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
616 These are internal helper commands used by other commands; end
617 users typically do not use them directly.
619 include::cmds-purehelpers.txt[]
622 Configuration Mechanism
623 -----------------------
625 Git uses a simple text format to store customizations that are per
626 repository and are per user. Such a configuration file may look
631 # A '#' or ';' character indicates a comment.
636 ; Don't trust file modes
641 name = "Junio C Hamano"
642 email = "gitster@pobox.com"
646 Various commands read from the configuration file and adjust
647 their operation accordingly. See linkgit:git-config[1] for a
648 list and more details about the configuration mechanism.
651 Identifier Terminology
652 ----------------------
654 Indicates the object name for any type of object.
657 Indicates a blob object name.
660 Indicates a tree object name.
663 Indicates a commit object name.
666 Indicates a tree, commit or tag object name. A
667 command that takes a <tree-ish> argument ultimately wants to
668 operate on a <tree> object but automatically dereferences
669 <commit> and <tag> objects that point at a <tree>.
672 Indicates a commit or tag object name. A
673 command that takes a <commit-ish> argument ultimately wants to
674 operate on a <commit> object but automatically dereferences
675 <tag> objects that point at a <commit>.
678 Indicates that an object type is required.
679 Currently one of: `blob`, `tree`, `commit`, or `tag`.
682 Indicates a filename - almost always relative to the
683 root of the tree structure `GIT_INDEX_FILE` describes.
687 Any Git command accepting any <object> can also use the following
691 indicates the head of the current branch.
695 (i.e. a `refs/tags/<tag>` reference).
699 (i.e. a `refs/heads/<head>` reference).
701 For a more complete list of ways to spell object names, see
702 "SPECIFYING REVISIONS" section in linkgit:gitrevisions[7].
705 File/Directory Structure
706 ------------------------
708 Please see the linkgit:gitrepository-layout[5] document.
710 Read linkgit:githooks[5] for more details about each hook.
712 Higher level SCMs may provide and manage additional information in the
718 Please see linkgit:gitglossary[7].
721 Environment Variables
722 ---------------------
723 Various Git commands use the following environment variables:
727 These environment variables apply to 'all' core Git commands. Nb: it
728 is worth noting that they may be used/overridden by SCMS sitting above
729 Git so take care if using Cogito etc.
732 This environment allows the specification of an alternate
733 index file. If not specified, the default of `$GIT_DIR/index`
736 'GIT_INDEX_VERSION'::
737 This environment variable allows the specification of an index
738 version for new repositories. It won't affect existing index
739 files. By default index file version [23] is used.
741 'GIT_OBJECT_DIRECTORY'::
742 If the object storage directory is specified via this
743 environment variable then the sha1 directories are created
744 underneath - otherwise the default `$GIT_DIR/objects`
747 'GIT_ALTERNATE_OBJECT_DIRECTORIES'::
748 Due to the immutable nature of Git objects, old objects can be
749 archived into shared, read-only directories. This variable
750 specifies a ":" separated (on Windows ";" separated) list
751 of Git object directories which can be used to search for Git
752 objects. New objects will not be written to these directories.
755 If the 'GIT_DIR' environment variable is set then it
756 specifies a path to use instead of the default `.git`
757 for the base of the repository.
758 The '--git-dir' command-line option also sets this value.
761 Set the path to the root of the working tree.
762 This can also be controlled by the '--work-tree' command line
763 option and the core.worktree configuration variable.
766 Set the Git namespace; see linkgit:gitnamespaces[7] for details.
767 The '--namespace' command-line option also sets this value.
769 'GIT_CEILING_DIRECTORIES'::
770 This should be a colon-separated list of absolute paths. If
771 set, it is a list of directories that Git should not chdir up
772 into while looking for a repository directory (useful for
773 excluding slow-loading network directories). It will not
774 exclude the current working directory or a GIT_DIR set on the
775 command line or in the environment. Normally, Git has to read
776 the entries in this list and resolve any symlink that
777 might be present in order to compare them with the current
778 directory. However, if even this access is slow, you
779 can add an empty entry to the list to tell Git that the
780 subsequent entries are not symlinks and needn't be resolved;
782 'GIT_CEILING_DIRECTORIES=/maybe/symlink::/very/slow/non/symlink'.
784 'GIT_DISCOVERY_ACROSS_FILESYSTEM'::
785 When run in a directory that does not have ".git" repository
786 directory, Git tries to find such a directory in the parent
787 directories to find the top of the working tree, but by default it
788 does not cross filesystem boundaries. This environment variable
789 can be set to true to tell Git not to stop at filesystem
790 boundaries. Like 'GIT_CEILING_DIRECTORIES', this will not affect
791 an explicit repository directory set via 'GIT_DIR' or on the
799 'GIT_COMMITTER_NAME'::
800 'GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL'::
801 'GIT_COMMITTER_DATE'::
803 see linkgit:git-commit-tree[1]
808 Only valid setting is "--unified=??" or "-u??" to set the
809 number of context lines shown when a unified diff is created.
810 This takes precedence over any "-U" or "--unified" option
811 value passed on the Git diff command line.
813 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF'::
814 When the environment variable 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF' is set, the
815 program named by it is called, instead of the diff invocation
816 described above. For a path that is added, removed, or modified,
817 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF' is called with 7 parameters:
819 path old-file old-hex old-mode new-file new-hex new-mode
823 <old|new>-file:: are files GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF can use to read the
824 contents of <old|new>,
825 <old|new>-hex:: are the 40-hexdigit SHA-1 hashes,
826 <old|new>-mode:: are the octal representation of the file modes.
828 The file parameters can point at the user's working file
829 (e.g. `new-file` in "git-diff-files"), `/dev/null` (e.g. `old-file`
830 when a new file is added), or a temporary file (e.g. `old-file` in the
831 index). 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF' should not worry about unlinking the
832 temporary file --- it is removed when 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF' exits.
834 For a path that is unmerged, 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF' is called with 1
837 For each path 'GIT_EXTERNAL_DIFF' is called, two environment variables,
838 'GIT_DIFF_PATH_COUNTER' and 'GIT_DIFF_PATH_TOTAL' are set.
840 'GIT_DIFF_PATH_COUNTER'::
841 A 1-based counter incremented by one for every path.
843 'GIT_DIFF_PATH_TOTAL'::
844 The total number of paths.
848 'GIT_MERGE_VERBOSITY'::
849 A number controlling the amount of output shown by
850 the recursive merge strategy. Overrides merge.verbosity.
851 See linkgit:git-merge[1]
854 This environment variable overrides `$PAGER`. If it is set
855 to an empty string or to the value "cat", Git will not launch
856 a pager. See also the `core.pager` option in
857 linkgit:git-config[1].
860 This environment variable overrides `$EDITOR` and `$VISUAL`.
861 It is used by several Git commands when, on interactive mode,
862 an editor is to be launched. See also linkgit:git-var[1]
863 and the `core.editor` option in linkgit:git-config[1].
866 If this environment variable is set then 'git fetch'
867 and 'git push' will use this command instead
868 of 'ssh' when they need to connect to a remote system.
869 The '$GIT_SSH' command will be given exactly two or
870 four arguments: the 'username@host' (or just 'host')
871 from the URL and the shell command to execute on that
872 remote system, optionally preceded by '-p' (literally) and
873 the 'port' from the URL when it specifies something other
874 than the default SSH port.
876 To pass options to the program that you want to list in GIT_SSH
877 you will need to wrap the program and options into a shell script,
878 then set GIT_SSH to refer to the shell script.
880 Usually it is easier to configure any desired options through your
881 personal `.ssh/config` file. Please consult your ssh documentation
885 If this environment variable is set, then Git commands which need to
886 acquire passwords or passphrases (e.g. for HTTP or IMAP authentication)
887 will call this program with a suitable prompt as command line argument
888 and read the password from its STDOUT. See also the 'core.askpass'
889 option in linkgit:git-config[1].
891 'GIT_CONFIG_NOSYSTEM'::
892 Whether to skip reading settings from the system-wide
893 `$(prefix)/etc/gitconfig` file. This environment variable can
894 be used along with `$HOME` and `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME` to create a
895 predictable environment for a picky script, or you can set it
896 temporarily to avoid using a buggy `/etc/gitconfig` file while
897 waiting for someone with sufficient permissions to fix it.
900 If this environment variable is set to "1", then commands such
901 as 'git blame' (in incremental mode), 'git rev-list', 'git log',
902 'git check-attr' and 'git check-ignore' will
903 force a flush of the output stream after each record have been
905 variable is set to "0", the output of these commands will be done
906 using completely buffered I/O. If this environment variable is
907 not set, Git will choose buffered or record-oriented flushing
908 based on whether stdout appears to be redirected to a file or not.
911 If this variable is set to "1", "2" or "true" (comparison
912 is case insensitive), Git will print `trace:` messages on
913 stderr telling about alias expansion, built-in command
914 execution and external command execution.
915 If this variable is set to an integer value greater than 1
916 and lower than 10 (strictly) then Git will interpret this
917 value as an open file descriptor and will try to write the
918 trace messages into this file descriptor.
919 Alternatively, if this variable is set to an absolute path
920 (starting with a '/' character), Git will interpret this
921 as a file path and will try to write the trace messages
924 'GIT_TRACE_PACK_ACCESS'::
925 If this variable is set to a path, a file will be created at
926 the given path logging all accesses to any packs. For each
927 access, the pack file name and an offset in the pack is
928 recorded. This may be helpful for troubleshooting some
929 pack-related performance problems.
932 If this variable is set, it shows a trace of all packets
933 coming in or out of a given program. This can help with
934 debugging object negotiation or other protocol issues. Tracing
935 is turned off at a packet starting with "PACK".
937 GIT_LITERAL_PATHSPECS::
938 Setting this variable to `1` will cause Git to treat all
939 pathspecs literally, rather than as glob patterns. For example,
940 running `GIT_LITERAL_PATHSPECS=1 git log -- '*.c'` will search
941 for commits that touch the path `*.c`, not any paths that the
942 glob `*.c` matches. You might want this if you are feeding
943 literal paths to Git (e.g., paths previously given to you by
944 `git ls-tree`, `--raw` diff output, etc).
947 Setting this variable to `1` will cause Git to treat all
948 pathspecs as glob patterns (aka "glob" magic).
950 GIT_NOGLOB_PATHSPECS::
951 Setting this variable to `1` will cause Git to treat all
952 pathspecs as literal (aka "literal" magic).
954 GIT_ICASE_PATHSPECS::
955 Setting this variable to `1` will cause Git to treat all
956 pathspecs as case-insensitive.
958 'GIT_REFLOG_ACTION'::
959 When a ref is updated, reflog entries are created to keep
960 track of the reason why the ref was updated (which is
961 typically the name of the high-level command that updated
962 the ref), in addition to the old and new values of the ref.
963 A scripted Porcelain command can use set_reflog_action
964 helper function in `git-sh-setup` to set its name to this
965 variable when it is invoked as the top level command by the
966 end user, to be recorded in the body of the reflog.
969 Discussion[[Discussion]]
970 ------------------------
972 More detail on the following is available from the
973 link:user-manual.html#git-concepts[Git concepts chapter of the
974 user-manual] and linkgit:gitcore-tutorial[7].
976 A Git project normally consists of a working directory with a ".git"
977 subdirectory at the top level. The .git directory contains, among other
978 things, a compressed object database representing the complete history
979 of the project, an "index" file which links that history to the current
980 contents of the working tree, and named pointers into that history such
981 as tags and branch heads.
983 The object database contains objects of three main types: blobs, which
984 hold file data; trees, which point to blobs and other trees to build up
985 directory hierarchies; and commits, which each reference a single tree
986 and some number of parent commits.
988 The commit, equivalent to what other systems call a "changeset" or
989 "version", represents a step in the project's history, and each parent
990 represents an immediately preceding step. Commits with more than one
991 parent represent merges of independent lines of development.
993 All objects are named by the SHA-1 hash of their contents, normally
994 written as a string of 40 hex digits. Such names are globally unique.
995 The entire history leading up to a commit can be vouched for by signing
996 just that commit. A fourth object type, the tag, is provided for this
999 When first created, objects are stored in individual files, but for
1000 efficiency may later be compressed together into "pack files".
1002 Named pointers called refs mark interesting points in history. A ref
1003 may contain the SHA-1 name of an object or the name of another ref. Refs
1004 with names beginning `ref/head/` contain the SHA-1 name of the most
1005 recent commit (or "head") of a branch under development. SHA-1 names of
1006 tags of interest are stored under `ref/tags/`. A special ref named
1007 `HEAD` contains the name of the currently checked-out branch.
1009 The index file is initialized with a list of all paths and, for each
1010 path, a blob object and a set of attributes. The blob object represents
1011 the contents of the file as of the head of the current branch. The
1012 attributes (last modified time, size, etc.) are taken from the
1013 corresponding file in the working tree. Subsequent changes to the
1014 working tree can be found by comparing these attributes. The index may
1015 be updated with new content, and new commits may be created from the
1016 content stored in the index.
1018 The index is also capable of storing multiple entries (called "stages")
1019 for a given pathname. These stages are used to hold the various
1020 unmerged version of a file when a merge is in progress.
1022 FURTHER DOCUMENTATION
1023 ---------------------
1025 See the references in the "description" section to get started
1026 using Git. The following is probably more detail than necessary
1027 for a first-time user.
1029 The link:user-manual.html#git-concepts[Git concepts chapter of the
1030 user-manual] and linkgit:gitcore-tutorial[7] both provide
1031 introductions to the underlying Git architecture.
1033 See linkgit:gitworkflows[7] for an overview of recommended workflows.
1035 See also the link:howto-index.html[howto] documents for some useful
1038 The internals are documented in the
1039 link:technical/api-index.html[Git API documentation].
1041 Users migrating from CVS may also want to
1042 read linkgit:gitcvs-migration[7].
1047 Git was started by Linus Torvalds, and is currently maintained by Junio
1048 C Hamano. Numerous contributions have come from the Git mailing list
1049 <git@vger.kernel.org>. http://www.openhub.net/p/git/contributors/summary
1050 gives you a more complete list of contributors.
1052 If you have a clone of git.git itself, the
1053 output of linkgit:git-shortlog[1] and linkgit:git-blame[1] can show you
1054 the authors for specific parts of the project.
1059 Report bugs to the Git mailing list <git@vger.kernel.org> where the
1060 development and maintenance is primarily done. You do not have to be
1061 subscribed to the list to send a message there.
1065 linkgit:gittutorial[7], linkgit:gittutorial-2[7],
1066 link:everyday.html[Everyday Git], linkgit:gitcvs-migration[7],
1067 linkgit:gitglossary[7], linkgit:gitcore-tutorial[7],
1068 linkgit:gitcli[7], link:user-manual.html[The Git User's Manual],
1069 linkgit:gitworkflows[7]
1073 Part of the linkgit:git[1] suite