# Getting better at Git

This has nothing to do with Beyond Compare, just with learning Git.  Instead of googling everything, learn to use the built-in help.  Looking at monochrome text in the terminal is a great skill to have and your efficiency will 3x, guaranteed.

### Step 1: Simply type git help

Here are the only things Git knows how to do.  In the terminal, when you type **git help**, it will show you this list: `clone, init, add, mv, reset, rm, bisect, grep, log, show, status, branch, checkout, commit, diff, merge, rebase, tag, fetch, pull, push`

Scan this list and decide which word is the closest to what you are trying to do.   

### Step 2: Now make a two-word help request

Maybe **fetch** is what you want; just type **git help fetch**.

![](https://1446155253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXUX-uoaZJ8T4qyEc-x%2F-LaBIerc75HDFlqrAzPx%2F-LaBIqRHkEb7H6tDQTwu%2FScreen%20Shot%202019-03-17%20at%2010.38.40%20AM.png?alt=media\&token=ca1697f9-1eb6-445f-af96-66e356f9db5e)

Wow, lots of text!  Now you may be a little put off.  Be patient!     There are two keys to understanding this man page.  I'll give two tips and then leave you to explore.

### Search:

Man pages are sort of long.  Sometimes, instead of scrolling, you should search.  Type a slash followed by the word you are searching. Now, a quirk:  hit Enter once, and then hit 'n' several times.   'Enter' will search for the first occurance of your word.  'n' will search for subsequent occurances.

### Syntax explanation:

Learn to read the top few lines. 

![](https://1446155253-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LXUX-uoaZJ8T4qyEc-x%2F-LaBD9RSizMRXijSNfYe%2F-LaBHOYutVeYe6YInTT1%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=5b68de52-7bf7-40be-9342-d0705423eeba)

That's plenty of advice.  You now know enough to dig (for years!) through the Git's unusually helpful man pages.