security-cheatsheets/infosec/github-commands.md

GitHub Repository Cheatsheet

Quick Reference Guide for Git and GitHub Workflows

Command	Description	Example	Notes
Repository Setup
git init	Initialize a new local repository	git init my-project	Creates a new .git directory
git clone [url]	Clone a repository from remote	git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git	Downloads full history
git remote add origin [url]	Connect local repo to remote	git remote add origin https://github.com/user/repo.git	Sets up "origin" remote
git remote -v	List remote connections	git remote -v	Shows fetch/push URLs
Basic Workflow
git status	Check repository status	git status	Shows modified/staged files
git add [file]	Stage changes	git add index.html or git add .	Prepares files for commit
git commit -m "[message]"	Commit staged changes	git commit -m "Fix navigation bug"	Creates a commit snapshot
git pull	Fetch and merge remote changes	git pull origin main	Updates local branch
git push	Push commits to remote	git push origin main	Uploads local commits
Branching
git branch	List local branches	git branch	Current branch has asterisk
git branch [name]	Create new branch	git branch feature-login	Creates branch at current commit
git checkout [branch]	Switch branches	git checkout feature-login	Updates working directory
git checkout -b [name]	Create and checkout branch	git checkout -b feature-login	Combines branch + checkout
git merge [branch]	Merge branch into current	git merge feature-login	Integrates branch changes
git branch -d [name]	Delete branch	git branch -d feature-login	Removes merged branch
git branch -D [name]	Force delete branch	git branch -D feature-login	Removes unmerged branch
Branching Strategies
Git Flow	Main/Develop with feature branches	git checkout -b feature/login develop	Complex but structured
GitHub Flow	Single main with feature branches	git checkout -b feature-login main	Simpler, PR-based
Trunk-Based	Short-lived branches off main	git checkout -b fix-404-error main	Quick integration cycles
Pull Request Workflow
Create PR	Via GitHub UI	Click "New pull request" on repo page	Compare branches
Review PR	Via GitHub UI	Add comments, request changes	Code review process
Merge PR	Via GitHub UI	Click "Merge pull request"	Can squash or rebase
git fetch origin pull/ID/head:BRANCHNAME	Get PR locally	git fetch origin pull/123/head:pr-123	For local PR testing
History & Changes
git log	View commit history	git log --oneline	Shows commit list
git diff	Show unstaged changes	git diff	Compare working to staged
git diff --staged	Show staged changes	git diff --staged	Compare staged to last commit
git reset HEAD [file]	Unstage changes	git reset HEAD index.html	Keeps file changes
git checkout -- [file]	Discard changes	git checkout -- index.html	Loses uncommitted changes
Advanced Commands
git stash	Stash uncommitted changes	git stash save "WIP homepage"	Temporarily stores changes
git stash pop	Apply stashed changes	git stash pop	Reapplies and drops stash
git rebase [branch]	Reapply commits on branch	git rebase main	Rewrites commit history
git tag [name]	Create a tag	git tag v1.0.0	Marks specific commit
git cherry-pick [commit]	Apply commit to current branch	git cherry-pick abc123	Takes single commit

Common Branching Strategies

1. Git Flow

   • main - production-ready code
   • develop - integration branch for features
   • feature/* - new features
   • release/* - prepare for release
   • hotfix/* - urgent production fixes

2. GitHub Flow

   • main - always deployable
   • feature branches - all work happens here
   • pull requests - for code review and discussion
   • deploy after merge to main

3. Trunk-Based Development

   • main - primary branch
   • short-lived feature branches
   • frequent integration to main
   • feature flags for incomplete work