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What changed since my last push, or on GitHub?

safe beginner #fetch#ahead#behind#compare

When to use this: You need to know what is only on your PC, and what is only on GitHub, before you pull or push.

Before you start

git fetch only downloads information. It never changes your files, so it is safe.

Steps

Refresh what Git knows about GitHub
terminal
```
git fetch
```
Updates the origin/* pointers so comparisons use the latest remote state.
Commits on my PC that GitHub does not have
terminal
```
git log origin/main..HEAD --oneline
```
Read A..B as 'in B but not in A'. These are the commits a git push would upload.
Commits on GitHub that I do not have
terminal
```
git log HEAD..origin/main --oneline
```
These are the commits a git pull would bring in. If this prints nothing you are up to date.
File-level summary of the difference
terminal
```
git diff origin/main --stat
```
Shows which files differ between your working tree and GitHub's main, with line counts.
Quick one-line summary
terminal
```
git status -sb
```
The top line shows [ahead N, behind M] after a fetch.

How to verify it worked

You know the number of commits to push (ahead) and to pull (behind).

Common errors and fixes

unknown revision origin/main Your remote or branch has another name. Run git branch -vv to see the upstream branch name, then use it.

Q&A

If I am both ahead and behind, what does that mean?

The branches have diverged: you and GitHub each have commits the other lacks. You must combine them with a pull (merge or rebase) before pushing.

Practice these as flashcards →

Terms in this scenario

Fetch origin Upstream branch

Related scenarios

My notes

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