Important Git Commands and How to Set Up SSH Key

Introduction

Git is a widely used version control system that helps developers manage code changes efficiently. Setting up an SSH key is essential for secure authentication when interacting with remote repositories. In this article, we will cover the most important Git commands and how to set up your SSH key.

Setting Up an SSH Key

SSH keys provide a secure way to connect to your Git repositories without using a password.

Step 1: Generate an SSH Key

Run the following command to generate a new SSH key:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your_email@example.com"

This command will generate a public and private key pair.

Step 2: Add Your SSH Key to the SSH Agent

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Step 3: Add the SSH Key to Your GitHub Account

Copy the public key to your clipboard:

cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Paste it into your GitHub settings under SSH and GPG keys.

Step 4: Test Your Connection

ssh -T git@github.com

Essential Git Commands

Cloning a Repository

git clone <repository-url>

Checking the Status

git status

Adding Changes

git add .

Committing Changes

git commit -m "Your commit message"

Pushing Changes

git push origin main

Pulling Changes

git pull origin main

Checking the Commit Log

git log

Creating a New Branch

git checkout -b new-branch

Merging Branches

git merge new-branch

Deleting a Branch

git branch -d new-branch

Retrieving a Previous Commit

To see the history of commits:

git log --oneline

To reset to a previous commit:

git reset --hard <commit-hash>

Stepping Back from a Commit

To undo the last commit but keep changes:

git reset --soft HEAD~1

To undo the last commit and discard changes:

git reset --hard HEAD~1

Final Thoughts

Mastering Git commands and setting up SSH keys ensures smooth version control and secure connections to repositories. Regularly using these commands will help you manage your projects efficiently. For more tips on Git usage, stay tuned!