Understand Git and Never Break a Repo Again

Git is a powerful version control system, yet for many developers, it can also be a source of frustration and anxiety. If you’ve ever worried about missing commits, failed rebases, or accidentally breaking your company’s repo and even losing two weeks’ worth of work, you’re not alone. Fortunately, with a solid understanding of Git’s core concepts and best practices, you can avoid these issues and work with confidence.

This tutorial provides a practical guide to Git, covering fundamental building blocks such as the Commit DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph), the differences between the working directory, staging area and repository, as well as distributed version control and Git Workflows. You’ll review the key commands and workflows for successfully contributing to any project, while focusing on understanding what’s happening behind the scenes. Through interactive exercises, you’ll develop an intuitive grasp of Git, master day-to-day actions, and even debunk some popular misconceptions along the way.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a profound understanding of Git’s building blocks, enabling you to use it effectively—and never break a repo again.