git add + git commit — Your First Commit

Saving a Snapshot

Creating a commit is a two-step process:

# Step 1: Stage the changes you want to include
git add hello.txt       # stage one file
git add .               # stage everything in the current directory

# Step 2: Save the staged changes as a commit
git commit -m "Add hello.txt"

The -m flag lets you write the commit message inline. Without it, Git opens a text editor.

What's in a commit?

• A snapshot of all staged files
• Your name and email (from git config)
• A timestamp
• The commit message
• A pointer to the previous commit (its "parent")

git log             # shows all commits
git log --oneline   # compact: one commit per line
# abc1234 Add hello.txt

Your Task

Two files have been created for you. Stage both files and create a commit with the message "Initial commit".