git-add - Linux

Overview

git add stages changes to the index in preparation for a commit. It ensures that the changes are tracked by Git and will be included in the next commit. Staging changes helps group related changes and ensures clean commits.

Syntax

git add [-A|-u|-p] [-f] [-i] [-v] [-e] [-n] <files/paths>...

Options/Flags

-A: Add all tracked files recursively.
-u: Only update the tracked files that have been modified since the last commit.
-p: Interactively stage hunks of changes in files.
-f: Force add files even if they are ignored by .gitignore.
-i: Interactive mode for adding files, prompting for confirmation.
-v: Verbose mode, showing what files are being added.
-e: Edit a file from the index before adding it.
-n: Dry run, show what files would be added without actually adding them.

Examples

Add all changes to the index:

git add -A

Add a specific file to the index:

git add myfile.txt

Interactively stage hunks of changes in a file:

git add -p myfile.txt

Force add an ignored file to the index:

git add -f ignored-file.txt

Common Issues

Error: pathspec ‘…’ did not match any files
- The specified file or path does not exist or is ignored by .gitignore.
Error: not a valid object name ‘…’
- The specified file is not tracked by Git.
Error: refusing to add an untracked directory
- To add a directory, use git add -f or run git add from within the directory.

Integration

Use git commit to commit the staged changes to the repository.
Use git reset to unstage changes from the index.
Use git status to view the status of staged and unstaged changes.