Simplify Your Workflow with Git Aliases

Sometimes, Git commands can get long and repetitive. For example, if you often run a command like:

git log --oneline --all --reverse

typing it again and again can be frustrating. Git Aliases solve this problem by letting you create your own shortcuts.

Why Use Git Aliases?

  • Reduce typing for long commands you run frequently.
  • Create meaningful shortcuts (like git ag for "all logs").
  • Apply aliases globally (across all repositories) or locally (per repo).

Example: Creating an Alias

Suppose we want to shorten this command:

git log --oneline --all --reverse

We can create an alias using:

git config --global alias.ag "log --oneline --all --reverse"

Here:

  • --global → applies to all repositories on your system.
  • alias.ag → creates a shortcut named ag.
  • The command in quotes is the real Git command to run.

Using the Alias

Now instead of typing the long command, simply run:

git ag

Output will be the same as:

git log --oneline --all --reverse

Notes on Aliases

  • Avoid underscores (_) in alias names (Git doesn’t accept them).
  • You can create as many aliases as you like.
  • Aliases only work with Git commands. For external shell commands, you’d need advanced configuration.
  • If you don’t use --global, the alias will only apply to the current repository.

Real-World Usage

In real projects, I personally keep 10+ Git aliases for everyday use. Some examples:

git config --global alias.st "status -s"
git config --global alias.co "checkout"
git config --global alias.br "branch"
git config --global alias.cm "commit -m"

These save huge amounts of typing when working with Git daily.

Summary

  • Aliases let you shorten Git commands.
  • Create them with git config --global alias.<shortcut> "<command>".
  • Use them just like built-in Git commands.
  • Great for saving time on frequently used commands.

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