git diff --staged for staged changes - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - git diff --staged for staged changes

Make changes to files

↓

Stage changes with git add

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Run git diff --staged

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Show differences between staged files and last commit

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Use output to review staged changes

This flow shows how you first modify files, then stage them, and finally use 'git diff --staged' to see what changes are ready to be committed.

Execution Sample

Git

echo 'Hello' > file.txt
git add file.txt
git diff --staged

This sequence creates or modifies file.txt, stages it, then shows the staged changes compared to the last commit.

Process Table

Step	Command	Action	Output/Result
1	echo 'Hello' > file.txt	Create or overwrite file.txt with 'Hello'	file.txt content: Hello
2	git add file.txt	Stage file.txt changes	file.txt is now in staging area
3	git diff --staged	Show differences between staged file.txt and last commit	--- a/file.txt +++ b/file.txt @@ -0,0 +1 @@ +Hello
4	End	No more commands	Ready to commit staged changes

💡 After step 3, all staged changes are shown; no unstaged changes appear.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3
file.txt content	empty or previous content	Hello	Hello (staged)	Hello (staged)
Staging area	empty	empty	file.txt staged	file.txt staged

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does 'git diff --staged' show changes only after staging?

'git diff --staged' compares the staging area to the last commit, so only files added with 'git add' appear in its output, as shown in step 3 of the execution table.

What if I modify a file but don't stage it, will 'git diff --staged' show it?

No, unstaged changes are not shown by 'git diff --staged'. Only staged changes appear, as the command compares staged files to the last commit.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what does 'git diff --staged' output at step 3?

A The differences between the working directory and the last commit

B The differences between the staged file and the last commit

C A list of all files in the repository

D The commit history

💡 Hint

Check the 'Output/Result' column at step 3 in the execution table.

At which step does the file get added to the staging area?

A Step 1

B Step 3

C Step 2

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Action' column to see when 'git add' is run.

If you modify file.txt again after step 2 but do not stage it, what will 'git diff --staged' show?

A It will show the staged version only

B It will show the new modifications

C It will show no differences

D It will show an error

💡 Hint

Refer to the key moment explaining what 'git diff --staged' compares.

Concept Snapshot

git diff --staged shows differences between staged files and last commit.
Use 'git add' to stage changes first.
It helps review what will be committed.
Unstaged changes are not shown.
Useful for confirming staged content before commit.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how to use 'git diff --staged' to see staged changes. First, you modify or create a file. Then you stage it with 'git add'. Running 'git diff --staged' compares the staged file to the last commit and shows the differences. Unstaged changes do not appear in this output. This helps you review exactly what changes are ready to be committed.