Types of git add (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 24 Mar, 2026

Different variations of git add control how changes are staged before a commit, depending on the scope and type of changes.

• Determines which changes are staged before committing.
• Controls scope (entire repository vs current directory).
• Differentiates between tracked and untracked files.
• Helps manage staging more precisely and efficiently.

Git add Variations

Different variations of the git add command control which changes are staged before committing.

**1. git add -A or git add --all: Stages all changes in the repository, including modified, deleted, and untracked files across the entire working tree.

• All changes (modified, deleted, and untracked files) across the entire repository are staged for commit.
• Files move from “not staged” to “staged,” making the repository ready for committing changes.

**2. git add -u or git add --update: It add all the modified and deleted files but not any untracked files and it does this for the entire tree.

• Only modified and deleted tracked files are staged, while untracked files remain unstaged.
• Changes move to “staged” for tracked files only, leaving new files unaffected and not ready for commit.

Specifying a directory stages only modified and deleted tracked files within that path, excluding untracked files and without affecting parent directories.

**3. git add . : This specific command will stage all the changes no matter what type it is whether it be untracked files or deleted files or modified files.

• All changes within the current directory and its subdirectories (including untracked, modified, and deleted files) are staged.
• Files outside the current directory are not affected, and only local scope changes move to staging.

**4. git add * : Stages files using a shell wildcard pattern rather than Git’s internal tracking mechanism.

ls *

git add*

• May produce inconsistent results and fail to properly handle deleted files.
• Ignores hidden files and may miss some changes during staging.

Difference between add -A, add -u, add ., and add *

Comparison of git add options based on what changes they stage and their scope.