1. What is this?
Version control records snapshots of your files so you can rewind. A repository (repo) is a folder Git watches. git init turns the current folder into a repo. git status reports what changed: which files are new, modified, or safely saved.
2. Why do we use it?
Without snapshots, one bad edit can lose a day. With Git, every step is recoverable and reviewable.
3. Syntax breakdown
git init
Creates the hidden .git folder that stores history. Run once per project.
git status
Shows the state: untracked, modified, or staged files.
5. Common mistakes
- Running git init inside an existing repo, nesting histories.
- Ignoring git status output — always read it before committing.
- Committing secrets (.env, passwords) — use .gitignore.
Practice task
Run git status again after imagining you created notes.txt. (Type the two commands.)
Hint
git init then git status, one per line.
Try it below — tests run automatically when you press Run.
Output
Press Run to see output.
Mini quiz
3 questions. Answer, then check.
1. What is a repository?
2. What does git status show?
3. How often do you run git init per project?