Git Add (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 14 Mar, 2026

git add is a Git command used to move changes from the working directory to the staging area, preparing them for the next commit.

• **Stages Changes: Moves modified or new files to the staging area.
• **Selective Staging: You can add individual files, multiple files, or all files at once.
• **Prepares for Commit: Only staged files are committed when running git commit.
• **Supports Partial Changes: With options, you can stage only certain parts of a file.

Using git add

The git add command stages specific files or changes so they can be included in the next commit.

1. Add a Single File

Stages filename.txt for the next commit.

git add filename.txt

2. Add Multiple Files

Stages file1.txt and file2.txt.

git add file1.txt file2.txt

3. Add All Files in the Directory

Stages all modified, new, and deleted files in the current directory and its subdirectories.

git add .

4. Add Specific Patterns

Stages all .txt files in the current directory.

git add *.txt

5. Stage Parts of a File

Allows you to interactively select hunks of changes to stage.

git add -p filename.txt

Common Options for git add

Common options for git add allow you to stage files and changes in different ways depending on your workflow.

Untracked Files Vs Tracked Files

Here are the differences between untracked and tracked files: