How to Push Changes to a Branch in Git

In Git, pushing changes to a branch is one of the most common and essential operations — especially when collaborating with a team via platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Whether you’re working on a new feature, fixing a bug, or updating documentation, you’ll frequently push updates from your local branch to a remote repository.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to push your local changes to a Git branch step-by-step.

Table of Contents

🧰 Prerequisites

Before pushing changes, make sure:

Git is installed on your machine
You have cloned the repository locally
Your local branch is set up correctly
You’re authenticated with the remote repository (via HTTPS, SSH, or a token)

✅ Step-by-Step: Push Changes to a Git Branch

1. Make Sure You’re on the Right Branch

Use the following command to check your current branch:

git branch

The active branch will be highlighted with an asterisk (*). To switch to another branch:

git checkout your-branch-name

2. Stage the Changes

After modifying files, stage them using:

git add .

Or, to stage specific files:

git add filename.txt

3. Commit the Changes

Now commit your staged files with a descriptive message:

git commit -m "Add user authentication logic"

4. Push Changes to the Remote Branch

To push your changes:

git push origin your-branch-name

Example:

git push origin feature/login-system

If you’re pushing the branch for the first time, set the upstream with:

git push -u origin your-branch-name

This allows you to use git push without specifying the remote and branch next time.

🔍 Bonus: Check What Will Be Pushed

Before pushing, you can see what commits haven’t been pushed yet:

git log origin/your-branch-name..HEAD

🧠 Tips for Working with Git Branches

Run git status often to see what’s changed and what’s staged.
Always pull the latest changes before pushing: git pull origin your-branch-name
To push all local branches at once: git push --all

🏁 Conclusion

Pushing changes to a branch in Git ensures your work is synced with the remote repository and available to collaborators. Mastering this basic workflow will help you confidently contribute to any project, whether you’re working solo or in a team.