🧠 How to Check Git File Info with git status — Beginner-Friendly Guide
📌 Introduction — Git Status
So, you’ve started using Git. Awesome! But now you want to know what’s actually happening with your files, right?
Enter git status.
Think of it like your project’s smart assistant — keeping an eye on which files are staged, which ones are modified, and which haven’t even joined the party yet. It helps you avoid surprises before you commit anything.
🔧 Understanding Git Basics
📁 What is Git?
Git is a version control system, like a time machine for your code. It lets you track changes, roll back to previous versions, and collaborate with others without losing your mind.
🗂️ How Git Tracks Files
Git organizes files in three main areas:
- Working Directory – Where you’re actively editing files.
- Staging Area (Index) – Where you add files you want to commit.
- Repository (HEAD) – Where your commits live permanently.
git status helps you understand where every file stands in this cycle.
🔍 What is git status?
📊 The Role of git status in Git Workflow
Imagine you’re packing for a trip — you don’t want to leave your socks behind or carry two chargers. That’s what git status does. It gives you a pre-flight checklist of your project’s files.
🧾 What git status Actually Shows
- What branch you’re on
- Which files are modified, staged, or untracked
- Whether your directory is clean or has changes
💻 Using git status in Real-Time
📝 Basic Syntax
git status
That’s it! No flags, no fuss.
📂 How to Run It
- Open your terminal.
- Navigate into your Git-tracked project folder.
- Type
git statusand press Enter.
🧭 Where to Use It
Only works inside a Git-initialized folder. If Git isn’t set up yet, it’ll tell you:
fatal: not a git repository
🔎 Interpreting git status Output
🟡 “Changes not staged for commit”
You edited a file, but didn’t stage it.
Example:
modified: index.html
🆕 “Untracked files”
These are new files Git doesn’t recognize yet.
Example:
Untracked files:
style.css
Run git add style.css to include them.
🟢 “Changes to be committed”
These files are staged and ready to be committed.
Example:
Changes to be committed:
modified: index.html
new file: script.js
🎨 Git Status Color Codes Explained
Git uses colors (if enabled) to tell you file states:
- 🔴 Red = Unstaged changes
- 🟡 Yellow = Staged but uncommitted changes
- 🟢 Green = Clean and committed
These colors appear only if your terminal supports it and Git’s color setting is enabled.
🔧 Enabling Git Color Output
To make sure Git uses color:
git config --global color.ui auto
This gives you visual feedback, which is super handy.
💡 Pro Tips for Efficient Git Usage
⚡ Aliasing git status
Too lazy to type git status each time? Set an alias:
git config --global alias.s status
Now, just type:
git s
🧠 Check Status Before Every Commit
Running git status before each git commit helps prevent:
- Accidentally committing untracked files
- Forgetting to stage changes
- Committing incorrect versions
⚡ Simplified View: git status -s
Want a short, cleaner version?
git status -s
Example output:
M index.html
A script.js
?? newstyle.css
🔤 Short Status Symbols Breakdown
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| M | Modified |
| A | Added |
| ?? | Untracked |
| D | Deleted |
These symbols give you a quick overview of the file states.
🎉 Summary — Git Status
Let’s wrap it up 🎁
git status is the heartbeat of your Git workflow. It gives you a live update on your project’s health — what’s been changed, what’s ready to commit, and what Git doesn’t even know about yet.
If you’re just starting with Git, make it your best friend. Run it often. Understand its output. Let it guide you.
❓ FAQs — Git Status
1. What if my file doesn’t show up in git status?
✅ You might be outside a Git repo, or you forgot to save the file. Also, if it’s in .gitignore, Git will skip it.
2. Can I undo a git add?
✅ Yes! Use:
git restore --staged filename
This removes the file from the staging area.
3. How to enable color in Git?
✅ Use this command:
git config --global color.ui auto
It enhances readability with color-coded file states.
4. Is git status safe to run?
✅ Absolutely. It does not change anything — it just shows information.
5. How is git status different from git diff?
✅ git status shows which files changed.
✅ git diff shows what’s changed inside those files.
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