Add Files

Adding files is how you move changes from the working directory to the staging area. This two-step process helps you control exactly what gets committed. You can stage all files at once or be selective about which specific files to include.

Staging Changes

git add . stages all modified files, git add filename works for specific files. The staging area is your "pending changes" zone — this gives you a chance to review and organize before making a commit. Any file in the staging area will become part of your next commit.

$ git status
$ git add .
$ git add README.md
$ git status

Why the Staging Area Exists

You might wonder why Git requires you to stage changes before committing. The staging area gives you three important advantages:

• Selective commits: You can modify multiple files but only commit some of them, keeping unrelated changes separate.
• Precise control: Stage specific portions of a file using git add -p (patch mode), which lets you choose which changes to include.
• Review before saving: Running git status shows you exactly what will be committed, preventing accidental saves.

# Stage only specific lines (interactive mode)
$ git add -p

# Git will show each change and ask:
# Stage this hunk [y,n,q,a,d,e,?]? y

Unstaging Files

If you accidentally staged a file you didn't mean to, you can undo it without losing any changes:

# Unstage a specific file
$ git reset HEAD filename

# Unstage everything
$ git reset HEAD

# Unstage a specific hunk
$ git reset -p

The git reset command moves changes from the staging area back to the working directory. Your actual file changes are preserved — only the staging state is reversed.

The .gitignore File

Not every file should be tracked by Git. Configuration files with passwords, compiled binaries, and temporary files should be excluded. Create a .gitignore file in your project root:

# .gitignore example
node_modules/
.env
*.log
.DS_Store
dist/
__pycache__/

Git will ignore any file or directory matching these patterns. This keeps your repository clean and prevents sensitive information from being accidentally committed.