1. Use the git reset command to unstage the file:
git reset
2. Use the git checkout command to discard changes in the working directory:
git checkout —
Whenever you accidentally add a file using Git command. Fortunately, Git provides an easy way to undo a git add command before committing your changes. So in this tutorial, you will learn how to undo git add before committing.
How to Undo Git Add Before Commit?
Using the following steps, you can undo git add before commit:
- Step 1: Check the status of your Git repository
- Step 2: Identify the file you want to remove from the staging area
- Step 3: Delete the file from the staging area
- Step 4: Verify the file has been removed from the staging area
- Step 5: Optional – Delete the file from your working directory
Step 1: Check the status of your Git repository
Execute the following command to check the status of your Git repository:
git status
The above given command will show the current status of your repository, including any changes that have been made but not yet committed.
Step 2: Identify the file you want to remove from the staging area
Once you’ve checked the current status of your repository, you’ll need to identify the file that you want to remove from the staging area. So execute the following command:
git diff --cached
The above given command will show you a difference of the changes that have been added to the staging area. Look for the file that you want to remove and take note of its filename.
Step 3: Delete the file from the staging area
Execute the following command to remove the file from the staging area, you’ll use the git reset command followed by the filename. For example, if the file you want to remove is called example.txt, you would use the following command:
git reset example.txt
The above given command will remove the file from the staging area, but leave it in your working directory.
Important Note :- In older versions of Git, the commands were git reset HEAD <file> and git reset HEAD respectively. This was changed in Git 1.8.2.
Step 4: Verify the file has been removed from the staging area
Execute the following command to verify that the file has been removed from the staging area, you can once again use the git status command. The file should no longer appear in the list of changes that have been added to the staging area.
Step 5: Optional – Delete the file from your working directory
If you also want to delete the file from your working directory, you can use the following command:
git rm example.txt
The above given command will delete the file from both the staging area and your working directory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, undoing a git add command is a simple process that can save you from accidentally committing changes that you didn’t intend to. By following these steps, you can easily remove a file from the staging area and ensure that only the changes you want to commit are included in your Git repository.
