Working with Git locally

In this guide, you’ll master the core Git workflows for local development: initializing repositories, configuring identity, staging and committing changes, branching and merging, and cloning from remote hosts like GitHub and Azure Repos. We’ll also explore graphical tools in Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, and GitHub Desktop.

1. Configure Your Identity

Before you make any commits, set up your name and email. These values appear in each commit’s metadata.

git config --global user.name "Jeremy Morgan"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

2. Initialize a Git Repository

1. Create and enter a new project folder:

   PS C:\Users\jeremy\Projects> mkdir my-project
   PS C:\Users\jeremy\Projects> cd my-project
   

2. Initialize Git:

   git init
   

   Output:

   Initialized empty Git repository in C:/Users/jeremy/Projects/my-project/.git/
   

3. Create a file and check status:

   echo "Hello Git!" > hello.txt
   git status
   

   You should see hello.txt listed as an untracked file.

4. Stage and commit:

   git add hello.txt
   git commit -m "Initial commit: add hello.txt"
   

5. Review your commit history:

   git log --oneline --decorate
   

   Example output:

   395883b (HEAD -> master) Initial commit: add hello.txt
   

Common Git Commands

3. Branching and Feature Workflows

1. Create and switch to a new branch:

   git branch feature/1900
   git checkout feature/1900
   

   Output:

   Switched to branch 'feature/1900'
   

2. Update hello.txt to:

   Hello Azure Repos!
   

3. Stage and commit your change:

   git status
   git add hello.txt
   git commit -m "Update greeting for Azure Repos"
   

4. Visualize the branch history:

   git log --oneline --graph --decorate --all
   

   Output:

   * 7c4495d (HEAD -> feature/1900) Update greeting for Azure Repos
   | * 395883b (master) Initial commit: add hello.txt
   |/
   

4. Merging Changes Back into Master

Switch to master and merge:

git checkout master
git merge feature/1900

You’ll typically see a fast-forward merge:

Updating 395883b..7c4495d
Fast-forward
 hello.txt | 1 +

Verify the merged content:

Get-Content .\hello.txt
# Output: Hello Azure Repos!

5. Cloning a Remote Repository

5.1 From GitHub

1. On GitHub New Repository, create my-cool-project (private), initialize with a README.

2. Clone via HTTPS:

   git clone https://github.com/YourUser/my-cool-project.git
   

3. Add, commit, and push a file:

   cd my-cool-project
   echo "Hello world" > hello.txt
   git add hello.txt
   git commit -m "Add hello.txt"
   git push origin main
   

   You’ll now see hello.txt in your GitHub repo.

5.2 Using Visual Studio Code

Open the cloned folder in VS Code. The Source Control view shows your changes:

5.3 Inside Visual Studio

In Visual Studio, use the Git Changes window to stage, commit, and push:

5.4 Cloning from Azure Repos

PS C:\Users\jeremy\Projects> mkdir azure-test
PS C:\Users\jeremy\Projects> cd azure-test
PS C:\Users\jeremy\Projects\azure-test> git clone https://[email protected]/KodeKloudDemo/KodeKloud%20Hotel/_git/SmartHotel360

6. GUI Client: GitHub Desktop

GitHub Desktop provides an intuitive interface for cloning, committing, and pushing. After installing and signing in, configure your identity:

Clone your repo and open it in VS Code. When prompted:

Summary

You now know how to:

• Configure Git identity
• Initialize, stage, and commit a repository
• Create, switch, and merge branches
• Clone and contribute to remote repositories
• Use GUI tools like VS Code, Visual Studio, and GitHub Desktop

With these skills, you’re ready to collaborate efficiently across any Git-based project.

References

• Git Documentation
• GitHub Docs
• Azure Repos
• Visual Studio Code Docs