Git and GitHub

Stage and Commit Changes

Learn to review, stage and describe a coherent change and create useful history in this beginner-friendly Visual Studio Code lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how to review, stage and describe a coherent change.
  • Complete the guided activity safely.
  • Check that you can create useful history.

Before you begin

Use a non-sensitive practice folder, inspect unfamiliar code before trusting it, and never place passwords, tokens or private information in project files.

Open official guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the intended practice workspace in Visual Studio Code and confirm its folder name and Workspace Trust state.
  2. Commit a small practice edit.
  3. Save the relevant files and review the Problems panel, terminal, Source Control view or browser preview as appropriate.
  4. Check filenames, relative paths, console messages, keyboard use, mobile layout and privacy before continuing.
  5. Confirm that you can create useful history, then create a clear commit, backup or saved checkpoint.
Ian's practical tip: Work in one named project folder, preview after small changes, read the actual error message and keep a recoverable version before broad edits.

Practical activity

Commit a small practice edit. The expected result is to create useful history.

Completion checklist