Starting a new project with Git can feel intimidating at first, but committing your work is one of the simplest and most essential steps in version control. This guide will walk you through how to commit your first project to Git, step-by-step.
🧠 What Is a Git Commit?
A commit in Git is like a snapshot of your project at a certain point in time. Each commit records what files changed, when, and by whom—helping you track history and collaborate smoothly.
✅ Step 1: Initialize Git in Your Project Folder
Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to your project folder:
cd path/to/your/project
Initialize a new Git repository:
git init
This creates a hidden .git folder to start tracking changes.
✅ Step 2: Check Git Status
Check which files are untracked or modified:
git status
You’ll see a list of new files ready to be added.
✅ Step 3: Add Files to the Staging Area
Add files you want to commit. To add all files:
git add .
Or add specific files:
git add filename1 filename2
✅ Step 4: Commit Your Changes
Now commit your staged files with a meaningful message:
git commit -m "Initial commit: Add project files"
The -m flag lets you write the commit message inline.
✅ Step 5: (Optional) Connect to a Remote Repository
If you want to push your code to GitHub or another remote:
- Create a repo on GitHub.
- Add the remote origin URL:
git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git
- Push your commit:
git push -u origin main
Replace main with your branch name if different.
🧩 Summary of Commands
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Initialize Git repo | git init |
| Check status | git status |
| Add files | git add . |
| Commit files | git commit -m "your message" |
| Add remote origin | git remote add origin <remote-url> |
| Push to remote | git push -u origin main |
📌 Final Tips
- Use clear, descriptive commit messages.
- Commit small, logical chunks of work.
- Always check status before committing.
