Hug SCM for Developers: A Practical Guide
Git is powerful, but its commands can feel overwhelming. Enter Hug SCM – a humane interface that makes version control intuitive and safe. This guide walks you through real-world scenarios using Hug, so you can focus on coding, not memorizing Git syntax.
What is Hug SCM and Why Should You Care?
Imagine accidentally deleting code, breaking a feature during experimentation, or clashing changes in a team. Hug solves these by wrapping Git in simple, descriptive commands like hug s
for status or hug w discard
to safely undo mistakes.
Hug is your friendly time machine for code: track changes, experiment fearlessly, and collaborate smoothly – all with natural language commands.
Mnemonic + Workflow Legend
- Bold letters in command names highlight the initials that make each alias (for example,
hug sl
→ Status + List). - Multi-step workflows appear as ordered lists so you can scan the path before executing commands.
- For deep dives, pair this guide with references like Status & Staging (s*, a*) or Working Directory (w*).
Workflow Cheat Sheet
Scenario | Command Flow | Why it works |
---|---|---|
Start a fresh project | hug s → hug a → hug c | Snapshot new files, stage cleanly, commit with context. |
Park work before a hotfix | hug wip "WIP message" → hug bc hotfix → hug bs | Save all changes on a dated WIP branch (pushable!), branch off, then resume later. Preferred over stash for persistence. |
Park and continue deep work | hug wips "msg" → hug c → hug w unwip <wip> | Isolates experiments; stay for momentum, integrate cleanly. |
Review before pushing | hug ss → hug su → hug sw | Compare staged vs unstaged diffs, then ship confidently. |
Clean up experiments | hug w backup → hug w discard-all → hug w purge | Save a safety net, drop tracked edits, prune generated junk. |
Undo a public mistake | hug l → hug revert <sha> → hug bpush | Find the bad commit, revert it, and push the fix upstream. |
Getting Started: Your First Repository
Use Case 1: Starting a New Project
Scenario: You're creating a new project and want to track your code from the beginning.
Steps:
- Initialize the repository:
hug init
- Check status:
hug s
- Stage all files:
hug aa
- Commit:
hug c "Initial commit"
- Push to remote:
hug bpush
Why it works: This workflow ensures you capture all files (including new ones) in your first commit, establishing a clean baseline for future changes.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug s
→ Status snapshothug aa
→ Add Allhug c
→ Commithug bpush
→ Branch Push
Git equivalents:
hug init
=git init
hug s
=git status
hug aa
=git add -A
hug c
=git commit -m
hug bpush
=git push origin <branch>
Use Case 2: Making Your First Changes
Scenario: You've made some code changes and want to commit them.
Steps:
- Check status:
hug s
- Stage changes:
hug a
- Commit:
hug c "Add login feature"
- Push:
hug bpush
Why it works: This workflow helps you review changes before committing, ensuring you only include what you intend to.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug s
→ Status snapshothug a
→ Add trackedhug c
→ Commithug bpush
→ Branch Push
Git equivalents:
hug s
=git status
hug a
=git add -u
hug c
=git commit -m
hug bpush
=git push origin <branch>
Scenario: Patch-and-Push
Goal: Ship a small change without noise.
hug sl
to verify tracked files.hug ap
to stage only the relevant hunk.hug ss
to double-check the staged diff, thenhug c "Describe change"
.hug bpush
to publish.
Working with Remote Repositories (GitHub)
Use Case 3: Undoing Mistakes
Scenario: You've made a mistake and want to undo it.
Sub-scenarios:
- Undo last commit (keep changes staged):
hug h back
(HEAD Back) - Undo last commit (keep changes unstaged):
hug h undo
(HEAD Undo) - Discard uncommitted changes:
hug w discard <file>
(Working dir Discard) - Full cleanup:
hug w zap-all
(Working dir Zap All)
Steps for undoing last commit (keep staged):
- Run
hug h back
(HEAD Back) to soft reset HEAD, keeping changes staged. - Inspect with
hug ss
(Status Staged). - Re-commit:
hug c "Fixed message"
(Commit).
Why it works: Non-destructive; lets you adjust without losing work.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug h back
→ HEAD Back (soft reset, staged)hug h undo
→ HEAD Undo (mixed reset, unstaged)hug w discard
→ Working dir Discard (local changes)hug w zap-all
→ Working dir Zap All (nuclear clean)
Git equivalents:
hug h back
=git reset --soft HEAD~1
hug h undo
=git reset --mixed HEAD~1
hug w discard <file>
=git checkout HEAD -- <file>
hug w zap-all
=git reset --hard HEAD && git clean -fd
Use Case 4: Cloning a Project to Work On
Joining a team or open source?
Steps:
- Clone:
git clone https://github.com/company/project-name.git
- Navigate:
cd project-name
- Check branches:
hug bl
(Branch List) - Start working:
# ... make changes ...
- Stage all:
hug aa
(Add All) - Commit:
hug c "Fix navigation bug"
(Commit) - Push:
hug bpush
(Branch Push)
Why it works: Gets you up-to-date and contributing quickly.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug bl
→ Branch Listhug aa
→ Add All (including new files)hug c
→ Commithug bpush
→ Branch Push (with upstream)
Git equivalents:
hug bl
=git branch
hug aa
=git add -A
hug c
=git commit -m
hug bpush
=git push -u origin <branch>
Branching: Experimenting Safely
Use Case 5: Adding a New Feature
Add a blog without risking your main site.
Steps:
- Create and switch:
hug bc add-blog-section
(Branch Create) - Make changes:
touch blog.html
# ... add blog code ...
- Stage:
hug a blog.html
(Add) - Commit:
hug c "Add blog page with recent posts"
(Commit) - Switch back:
hug bs
(Branch Switch back) - Switch to main:
hug b main
(Branch) - Merge:
hug m add-blog-section
(Merge) - Delete:
hug bdel add-blog-section
(Branch Delete)
Why it works: Branches isolate work; merge integrates safely.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug bc
→ Branch Create & switchhug a
→ Add trackedhug c
→ Commithug bs
→ Branch Switch backhug b
→ Branch switchhug m
→ Mergehug bdel
→ Branch Delete (safe)
Git equivalents:
hug bc
=git checkout -b
hug a
=git add -u
hug c
=git commit -m
hug bs
=git checkout -
hug m
=git merge
hug bdel
=git branch -d
Use Case 6: Working on Multiple Features
Building a contact form and header redesign?
Steps:
- Branch for contact:
hug bc contact-form
(Branch Create) - Work:
# ... work on contact form ...
- Stage:
hug a contact.html
(Add) - Commit:
hug c "Add contact form"
(Commit) - Switch back:
hug bs
(Branch Switch back) - New branch:
hug bc redesign-header
(Branch Create) - For a spike:
hug wips "Test header variant"
→ Stay and experiment, thenhug bs
to park mid-way. - Work:
# ... work on header ...
- Stage:
hug a styles.css index.html
(Add) - Commit:
hug c "Redesign header with new logo"
(Commit) - View:
hug bl
(Branch List) - Switch:
hug b main
(Branch) - Merge first:
hug m contact-form
(Merge) - Merge second:
hug m redesign-header
(Merge)
Why it works: Easy switching keeps features isolated.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug bc
→ Branch Create & switchhug a
→ Addhug c
→ Commithug bs
→ Branch Switch backhug bl
→ Branch Listhug b
→ Branch switchhug m
→ Merge
Git equivalents:
hug bc
=git checkout -b
hug a
=git add -u
hug c
=git commit -m
hug bs
=git checkout -
hug bl
=git branch
hug m
=git merge
- Branch for contact:
Collaboration Scenarios
Use Case 7: Team Development Workflow
Working with teammates on an e-commerce site.
Steps:
- Update:
hug bpull
(Branch Pull) - Branch:
hug bc add-shopping-cart
(Branch Create) - Work:
# ... build shopping cart ...
- Stage:
hug a cart.js cart.html
(Add) - Commit:
hug c "Implement shopping cart functionality"
(Commit) - Push:
hug bpush
(Branch Push) - Create PR on GitHub.
- After merge:
hug b main
(Branch) - Update:
hug bpull
(Branch Pull)
Why it works: Syncs team changes, isolates your work.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug bpull
→ Branch Pull (rebase)hug bc
→ Branch Createhug a
→ Addhug c
→ Commithug bpush
→ Branch Pushhug b
→ Branch switchhug bpull
→ Branch Pull
Git equivalents:
hug bpull
=git pull --rebase
hug bc
=git checkout -b
hug a
=git add
hug c
=git commit -m
hug bpush
=git push -u origin <branch>
hug b
=git checkout
Use Case 8: Handling Merge Conflicts
You and a teammate edited the same file.
Steps:
- Merge:
hug m teammate-branch
(Merge) - Hug reports: CONFLICT in styles.css
- Open styles.css: Edit markers like <<<<<<< HEAD
- Resolve, remove markers, save.
- Stage:
hug a styles.css
(Add) - Commit:
hug c "Resolve styling conflict"
(Commit)
Why it works: Guides you through resolution safely.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug m
→ Mergehug a
→ Addhug c
→ Commit
Git equivalents:
hug m
=git merge
hug a
=git add
hug c
=git commit -m
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Use Case 9: Undoing Changes
Changes not committed? Start over safely.
Steps:
- Discard file:
hug w discard index.html
(Working dir Discard) - Discard all:
hug w discard-all
(Working dir Discard All)
Why it works: Targets exactly what you want to reset.
Mnemonic breakdown:
hug w discard
→ Working dir Discard (unstaged)hug w discard-all
→ Working dir Discard All
Git equivalents:
hug w discard <file>
=git checkout HEAD -- <file>
hug w discard-all
=git checkout HEAD -- .
Use Case 10: Fixing Your Last Commit
Forgot a file or message typo?
# Stage forgotten file
hug a forgotten-file.js
# Amend
hug cm "Corrected commit message"
Use Case 11: Precise Undo to Last File Change
Need to rewind exactly to when a file was last modified?
# Find steps back
hug h steps src/app.js # e.g., "2 steps back from HEAD..."
# Soft undo to that point (keep changes staged)
hug h back 2
# Inspect and re-commit
hug ss
hug c "Refactored app.js with fixes"
Use Case 12: Reverting a Pushed Commit
Broke production? Undo it.
# Find commit
hug l
# Revert
hug revert abc1234
# Push revert
hug bpush
Advanced But Essential Commands
Use Case 13: Viewing Changes Before Committing
Review hours of work.
# Uncommitted changes
hug sw
# Staged changes
hug ss
# Specific file
hug sw index.html
Use Case 14: Parking Your Work (Preferred Over Stash)
Use the WIP workflow to safely park uncommitted changes.
Scenario 1: You're interrupted by an urgent task. Use hug wip
to safely park your uncommitted changes somewhere else and re-focus on a new task.
# You are on the 'my-feature' branch and need to do a hotfix
hug wip "Pause feature work for hotfix"
# You still are on the same branch ('my-feature'), but now it's clean. Check out 'main' and create the hotfix.
hug b main
hug bc hotfix-123
Scenario 2: You were casually making some changes and now want to stay on it to get serious. Use hug wips
to park your work on a new WIP branch and stay on it to continue iterating.
# Move current uncommitted changes to a new WIP branch for a longer task
hug wips "Prototype new dashboard UI"
# You are now on the new WIP branch. Add more commits as you experiment.
hug a . && hug c "Add chart component"
Finishing Up:
- To integrate your work:
hug b main && hug w unwip <wip-branch-name>
- To discard it:
hug w wipdel <wip-branch-name>
For a full breakdown, see the WIP Workflow Guide.
Essential .gitignore Patterns
Add to .gitignore
to exclude junk:
# Dependencies
node_modules/
vendor/
# Environment
.env
.env.local
# Builds
dist/
build/
*.min.js
# IDE
.vscode/
.idea/
*.swp
# OS
.DS_Store
Thumbs.db
# Logs
*.log
logs/
Stage it with hug a .gitignore
.
Best Practices for Entry-Level Developers
1. Commit often, early
Small commits via hug c
make debugging easier.
2. Meaningful messages
Bad: "fixed"
Good: "Fix login alignment on mobile" – Hug prompts you.
3. Pull before push
Use hug bpull
to avoid conflicts.
4. Branch everythinghug bc feature
– never touch main directly.
5. Review changeshug sw
before hug c
.
6. No secrets
.gitignore + env vars, not commits.
7. Atomic commits
One change per hug c
.
8. Park WIP on branches
Use hug wip "msg"
for quick saves (switch back); hug wips "msg"
to stay and iterate (e.g., hug c
multiple times). Unpark with hug unwip
for clean i ntegration; delete junk with hug wipdel
.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
# Setup
git init # Start repo
git clone <url> # Copy repo
# Daily
hug s # Status
hug a <file> # Stage file
hug aa # Stage all
hug c "msg" # Commit
hug bpush # Push & upstream
# Branches
hug bl # List
hug bc <name> # Create & switch
hug b <name> # Switch
hug m <branch> # Merge
# Inspect
hug l # History
hug sw # Working changes
hug ss # Staged changes
# Undo
hug w discard <file> # Discard file
hug us <file> # Unstage
hug cm "msg" # Amend
hug h back # Undo commit, keep staged
hug h steps <file> # Steps back to last file change (for precise undos)
# Park WIP (preferred over stash)
hug wip "msg" # Save all changes on WIP branch, switch back
hug wips "msg" # Save and stay on WIP branch
hug b WIP/<date>/<time>.<slug> # Resume
hug unwip WIP/<date>/<time>.<slug> # Unpark: squash-merge to current + delete
hug wipdel WIP/<date>/<time>.<slug> # Discard WIP branch
# Collab
hug bpull # Pull rebase
hug bpush # Push branch
Next Steps
Practice with a real project. Start solo, then contribute to open source. Hug makes Git approachable – hug s
and hug l
are your allies.
Tools like VS Code's Git integration work great with Hug. For servers without GUI, Hug's commands keep things simple.
Questions? Check hug --help
or use the search bar. Happy coding!