Here’s a step-by-step guide to update Git using Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
Here’s a step-by-step guide to update Git using Visual Studio Code (VS Code) — meaning, you want to update your local repository from GitHub (or another remote) and also know how to push your local changes back.
Below I’ll cover both cases:
🧩 Part 1: Check your setup
Before you start:
Ensure Git is installed
Open VS Code’s Terminal (Ctrl + ) and type:
git --version
If you see a version number (e.g. git version 2.47.0), you’re good.
If not, install Git from https://git-scm.com/downloads
.
Open your project folder
In VS Code, click File → Open Folder… and choose the folder that’s under Git version control (it will have a hidden .git folder).
Make sure VS Code recognizes your Git repo
You’ll see a Source Control icon (three nodes with lines) on the left sidebar.
If it shows your branch name (e.g., main or master), your repo is connected correctly.
🔄 Part 2: Update your local code from GitHub (“Pull”)
This gets the newest commits from the remote repository.
🪶 Step 1 – Open the Source Control View
Click the Source Control icon on the left sidebar or press Ctrl + Shift + G (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + G (Mac).
🪶 Step 2 – Pull changes
You have two easy ways:
Option A: Command Palette
Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac).
Type “Git: Pull” and hit Enter.
VS Code will fetch and merge changes from your remote (e.g., origin/main) into your local branch.
Option B: Status Bar
If your VS Code window shows your branch name at the bottom-left, right-click it and choose Pull.
When finished, the Output window (View → Output → select “Git” from dropdown) shows that your repo has been updated.
💾 Part 3: Commit and Push your local changes
Once you’ve modified files:
Step 1 – Stage changes
Click the Source Control icon again.
You’ll see changed files under “Changes.”
Hover each file and click + to stage, or click + All Changes (the top icon).
Step 2 – Write a commit message
In the message box (top of Source Control panel), type something like:
Updated README and fixed bug in login.js
Then click the ✓ Commit icon above the message box (or press Ctrl + Enter).
Step 3 – Push to remote
Press Ctrl + Shift + P → type “Git: Push” → press Enter.
OR
2. Click the branch name on the status bar → choose Push.
VS Code uploads your commits to the GitHub remote.
🧭 Part 4: Fetch vs Pull vs Push
Command What it does How to run in VS Code
Git: Fetch Downloads remote changes but doesn’t merge Ctrl + Shift + P → “Git: Fetch”
Git: Pull Fetches + merges updates into your branch Ctrl + Shift + P → “Git: Pull”
Git: Push Sends your local commits to GitHub Ctrl + Shift + P → “Git: Push”
Use Fetch to check for updates safely before merging, or Pull to apply them immediately.
🛠 Part 5: Handle merge conflicts (if any)
If your changes overlap with new ones from the remote, Git will warn you of a merge conflict.
VS Code helps resolve these:
Click the conflicted file in the Source Control panel.
You’ll see options like Accept Current Change, Accept Incoming Change, or Accept Both.
After resolving, save the file, stage it, and commit again.
Finally, push your resolved commit.
🧩 Optional: Update the Git version itself
If you mean update Git (the software) rather than update your code from Git, here’s how:
Visit https://git-scm.com/downloads
.
Download the latest installer for your OS.
Run the installer — it automatically replaces the old version.
Restart VS Code and verify:
git --version