===== Overview =====

Proper definition and usage of Git aliases.

Links:

  * [[https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7066325/list-git-aliases/22183573#22183573|https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7066325/list-git-aliases/22183573#22183573]]
  * [[https://gist.github.com/pksunkara/988716|https://gist.github.com/pksunkara/988716]]

===== Setting and listing aliases =====

==== Setting regular Git aliases ====

How to set a //regular// Git alias (note the need for quotes with multi-word values):

<code>
$ git config --global alias.a add
$ git config --global alias.cm commit
$ git config --global alias.co checkout
$ git config --global alias.b branch
$ git config --global alias.cb "checkout -b"
</code>

after which you can use Git commands like:

<code>
$ git a Makefile
$ git cm
$ git cb newbranch
</code>

==== Recursive Git aliases ====

You can also define Git aliases in terms of other Git aliases:

<code>
$ git config --global alias.bl blame
$ git config --global alias.bm 'bl Makefile"
</code>

after which you could run the equivalent of ''git blame Makefile'' with:

<code>
$ git bm
</code>
==== Aliases in the .gitconfig file ====

What ends up in your ''~/.gitconfig'' file:

<code>
...
[alias]
        a = add
        cm = commit
        co = checkout
        b = blame
        cb = checkout -b
        bm = b Makefile
...        
</code>

===== How to unset Git aliases =====

<code>
$ git config --global --unset alias.blm
</code>

or just edit the ''.gitconfig'' file.
===== How to set a shell-style Git alias =====

<code>
$ git alias bu "!git rev-parse --abbrev-ref --symbolic-full-name "@{u}""
</code>

The shell command being run does not have to be ''git''.