Git CLI vs GitHub CLI

If you feel confused between git and GitHub CLI and you need to use one or both and why, continue reading.

Git CLI

It is the primary interface to work with any git repositories regardless of where they are hosted.

Git Cli is used to work on local and remote git-based repositories. The primary functions it is used for are - track new changes, commit, merge, branch, pull, push.

git commands start with git for eg

git clone

git add

git commit

git push

git pull

You should have git CLI if you are working with any git-based repositories.

How to check if git CLI is installed?

git --version

How to install git CLI?

Download and run the installer from here Git - Downloads (git-scm.com)

GitHub CLI

It is specifically meant to work with GitHub repositories with GitHub specific commands extending the functionality of Git. You can work with issues, pull requests, releases, repos and more using the CLI.

GitHub commands start with gh for eg

gh repo clone

gh pr create

gh issue create

If you work with GitHub repos, GitHub cli can come very handy.

How to check if GitHub CLI is installed?

gh --version

How to install GitHub CLI?

For windows download and install from here GitHub CLI | Take GitHub to the command line

Follow the instructions here for Linux and BSD cli/docs/install_linux.md at trunk · cli/cli (github.com)