How do I undo 'git add' before commit?

Answer 1

To undo git add, use:

git reset filename

Answer 2

This command will unstash your changes:

git reset HEAD filename.txt

You can also use

git add -p 

to add parts of files.

Answer 3

If you type:

git status

Git will tell you what is staged, etc., including instructions on how to unstage:

use "git reset HEAD <file>..." to unstage

I find Git does a pretty good job of nudging me to do the right thing in situations like this.

Note: Recent Git versions (1.8.4.x) have changed this message:

(use "git rm --cached <file>..." to unstage)

Answer 4

Note that if you fail to specify a revision then you have to include a separator. Example from my console:

git reset <path_to_file>
fatal: ambiguous argument '<path_to_file>': unknown revision or path not in the working tree.
Use '--' to separate paths from revisions

git reset -- <path_to_file>
Unstaged changes after reset:
M    <path_to_file>

(Git version 1.7.5.4)

Answer 5

Use the * command to handle multiple files at a time:

git reset HEAD *.prj
git reset HEAD *.bmp
git reset HEAD *gdb*

etc.

Answer 6

For a specific file:

• git reset my_file.txt
• git checkout my_file.txt

For all added files:

• git reset .
• git checkout .

Note: checkout changes the code in the files and moves to the last updated (committed) state. reset doesn't change the codes; it just resets the header.