How to create Git Aliases

There are two ways to create custom git aliases:
1. Using the Command Line Interface.
2. Directly editing the git config files.

We will have a look on both methods.

Via the Command Line Interface (CLI)

For instance, git status can be shortened into git s:

git config --global alias.s status

Note: in this example, we are configuring a git alias so git status and git s will be equivalent. Therefore, git status and git s will return the same output.

Editing one of the three git config files

• .git/config (at your git local repository level)
• ~/.gitconfig (global)
• ~/.config/git/config (global)

Just add the following lines within the file, e.g. using vim or nano:

[alias]
    s = status

Notes:

• If you only edit the git config file at your local repository level, the alias will only be accessible within your current git project.
• If you set-up the alias at one of the global git config file, the alias will be usable across your overall local environment.

List all the alias you have defined

alias = "!git config -l | grep alias | cut -c 7-"

Note: the exclamation mark tells git that everything within the quotes will be a bash script, therefore it will gives us access to the usual bash commands like grep or cut.

Example of git aliases

Here is a couple of aliases you might find useful to replicate in your configuration:

[alias]
    c=commit
    cm=commit -m
    s=status
    sw=switch
    a=add
    alias=!git config -l | grep alias | cut -c 7-
    cam=commit -am
    lo=log --oneline
    sc=switch -c
    rsm=rm -r --cached
    asm=submodule add
    reinit=!git submodule update --init --recursive && git submodule update --remote

Why using git aliases

It simply makes your life easier since you do not have to type long commands anymore. You can simply call them using a shorter name.

After you have typed the same command again and again 10+ a day, you will start to love git aliases.

Did I hear someone say that software developers are lazy? 😈