Git status is your lifeline to understanding what's happening with your repository. It shows you the current state in an easily readable format and helps you avoid common mistakes like committing files you didn't intend to include.
Understanding Git Status
Git status shows three main states: modified (unstaged), staged, and untracked. The short format with `-s` gives you a compact view. Always check git status before doing anything to know exactly what files are ready for the next action.
$ git status
$ git status -s
$ git diff --cached
$ git diff