Git Tip: Efficient File Staging with Interactive Mode

Ever found yourself with a heap of files in Git, pondering whether to add them individually or just bulk add everything with git add .? Here's a smarter approach: use Git's interactive mode.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Start with a Status Check: Begin by checking your repository status with git status. Imagine you're faced with 50 modifiable files.
2. Enter Interactive Mode: Instead of manually adding files one by one, initiate Git's interactive mode by running git add -i. This is especially handy when you have a specific subset of files to stage.
3. Select Files to Stage: Once in interactive mode, select the 'update' option by pressing 'u'. Now, you’re presented with the list of your modified files. To stage files, you have flexible options:
   • To add a single file, simply enter its corresponding number and hit enter.
   • For multiple files, type their numbers separated by spaces (e.g., '2 3') or a comma (e.g., '2,3').
   • To stage a range of files, use a dash (e.g., '1-3') to select files 1 to 3 inclusively.
4. Finalize the Staging: After making your selections, a subsequent git status will show all chosen files neatly staged and ready for commit. This method allows for precise control over what gets staged, streamlining the process significantly.