How to use git push origin

The git push origin command transfers commits from your local repository to a remote repository. This command updates the remote branch with commits from your current branch. This guide will cover how to use git push origin and its variations to manage your code in a remote repository effectively.

Basic usage of git push origin

What is origin?

In Git, "origin" is the default name given to the remote repository from which your local repository was cloned. You can push your changes to this remote repository using the git push origin command.

Git push origin command

To push the current branch to the corresponding remote branch run:

git push origin

This command pushes changes from the local branch you are currently on to the remote branch with the same name.

Pushing to a specific branch

Git push origin branch

If you want to push changes to a specific branch, you can specify the branch name:

git push origin <branch-name>

For example, to push to a branch named feature:

git push origin feature

Git push origin main

If you are working with the main branch and ready to update the remote main branch, use:

git push origin main

This command specifically targets the main branch, ensuring that your local main branch's changes are pushed to the remote main branch.

Setting upstream tracking with git push

Git push -u origin

The -u flag sets the upstream tracking information for the branch. This means that once you set the upstream branch with this command, you can use git push and git pull without specifying the branch in future commands.

git push -u origin <branch-name>

For example, to set upstream tracking for a branch named feature, run:

git push -u origin feature

Git push -u origin main

To set the upstream tracking for the main branch, ensuring that future pushes and pulls target this branch by default, use:

git push -u origin main

Practical example

Let's consider you have a local branch named feature that you've been working on and are now ready to push to the remote repository. Here's how you would push these local changes to the remote:

1. Check the current branch:

   Terminal

   git branch
   
   

   This command will show you which branch you are currently on.

2. Switch to the feature branch (if not already on it):

   Terminal

   git checkout feature
   
   

3. Push the feature branch to origin with upstream tracking:

   Terminal

   git push -u origin feature
   
   

   This configures the feature branch to track the remote feature branch, simplifying future push and pull commands.

4. Verify that the push was successful:

   Terminal

   git status
   
   

   This will confirm that everything is up-to-date and has been pushed correctly.

For further reading see the official Git documentation.