How to use the command "hub" (with examples)

“hub” is a handy wrapper for Git that adds commands specifically designed for working with GitHub-based projects. It simplifies common Git operations and provides additional features like creating forks, opening pull requests, and syncing with upstream repositories.

Use case 1: Clone a repository using its slug

Code:

hub clone username/repo_name

Motivation:

You can use this command to clone a GitHub repository using its slug. By specifying the username and repository name, you can quickly and easily create a local copy of the repository on your machine.

Explanation:

• hub clone is the command to clone a GitHub repository.
• username/repo_name refers to the username of the repository owner followed by the repository name.

Example output:

Cloning the “example_user/example_repo” repository:

$ hub clone example_user/example_repo

Use case 2: Create a fork of the current repository

Code:

hub fork

Motivation:

Creating a fork allows you to make modifications to a repository without affecting the original project. This is useful when you want to contribute to a project or experiment with changes before suggesting them.

Explanation:

• hub fork is the command to create a fork of the current repository.

Example output:

Creating a fork of the current repository:

$ hub fork

Use case 3: Push the current local branch to GitHub and create a PR

Code:

hub push remote_name && hub pull-request

Motivation:

When working on a project, it’s common to push your changes and create a pull request to merge them into the main repository. This command streamlines this process by combining the push and pull request creation steps into a single command.

Explanation:

• hub push remote_name pushes the current local branch to GitHub.
• hub pull-request creates a pull request for the pushed branch in the original repository.

Example output:

Pushing the current local branch and creating a pull request:

$ hub push origin && hub pull-request

Use case 4: Create a PR of the current branch, reusing the first commit message

Code:

hub pull-request --no-edit

Motivation:

When opening a pull request, it’s often desirable to reuse the message from the first commit. This can save time and ensure consistency in the project’s commit history.

Explanation:

• hub pull-request creates a pull request for the current branch.
• --no-edit flag ensures that the commit message from the first commit is used without any modifications.

Example output:

Creating a pull request with the first commit message:

$ hub pull-request --no-edit

Use case 5: Create a new branch from a pull request

Code:

hub pr checkout pr_number

Motivation:

Sometimes you want to test or modify the changes made in a pull request separately from the main branch. This command allows you to create a new branch that includes the contents of a specific pull request and automatically switches to it.

Explanation:

• hub pr checkout pr_number creates a new branch using the contents of the specified pull request.
• pr_number is the number of the pull request from which you want to create the new branch.

Example output:

Creating and switching to a new branch from pull request number 42:

$ hub pr checkout 42

Use case 6: Upload the current repository to your GitHub account

Code:

hub create

Motivation:

Uploading a local-only repository to your GitHub account allows you to easily share your work with others, collaborate, and take advantage of GitHub’s features like pull requests and issue tracking.

Explanation:

• hub create initializes a new repository on GitHub, associates it with the current local repository, and sets the remote origin URL.

Example output:

Uploading the current repository to GitHub:

$ hub create

Use case 7: Fetch Git objects from upstream and update local branches

Code:

hub sync

Motivation:

Keeping your local repository in sync with upstream changes is important to stay up-to-date and avoid conflicts. This command fetches new Git objects from the upstream repository and updates local branches accordingly.

Explanation:

• hub sync fetches Git objects from upstream and updates local branches to reflect the latest changes.

Example output:

Syncing with upstream and updating local branches:

$ hub sync

Conclusion:

In this article, we’ve explored various use cases of the “hub” command, a powerful tool for working with GitHub-based projects. From cloning and forking repositories to pushing changes and creating pull requests, “hub” simplifies common Git operations and enhances your GitHub workflow. With its straightforward commands, you can easily collaborate, contribute, and keep your local repository in sync with upstream changes.