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Why Every Developer Should Be Using GitHub CLI Right Now!
Why Every Developer Should Be Using GitHub CLI Right Now!
githubclideveloper-toolsproductivityOctober 12, 20244 min read

Why Every Developer Should Be Using GitHub CLI Right Now!

Still not using GitHub CLI? Then you're a step behind the top. Don't tell me you're missing out on this game-changing tool!

How GitHub CLI Makes My Life Easier

These days, I use GitHub CLI almost every day. Before I started using it, my workflow was much slower. After finishing my code, I would have to open the GitHub website, create a pull request, and then go through the process of merging it manually.

Imagine you're building a new project for yourself. Once you complete the first version, you need to head over to GitHub, create a new repository, and then link that repo to your project before pushing the code. It's a lot of back-and-forth between your code editor and the browser.

But now, with GitHub CLI, everything is much simpler. I can create a repository directly from the terminal, create pull requests, automatically merge them, or even just view the pull request details—all without ever leaving my terminal. GitHub CLI makes it possible to handle everything with a few simple commands, which saves a lot of time and keeps me focused on writing code.

Now, let's dive into GitHub CLI!

What is GitHub CLI?

GitHub CLI (Command Line Interface) is a tool that allows you to interact with GitHub directly from your terminal. Instead of switching back and forth between your code editor and the GitHub website, you can use GitHub CLI to manage your repositories, issues, pull requests, and more—all with simple commands. It's designed to make your workflow faster and more efficient by bringing the power of GitHub into your terminal. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, GitHub CLI helps you stay focused on your code without the distractions of the web interface.

What Can We Do with GitHub CLI?

GitHub CLI gives you access to many GitHub features right from your terminal, making your workflow faster and more convenient. Here's a quick look at what you can do with GitHub CLI:

  • Manage Repositories: You can view, create, clone, and fork repositories without opening the GitHub website.
  • Handle Issues and Pull Requests: Easily create, close, edit, and view issues and pull requests. You can even review, compare (diff), and merge pull requests directly from your terminal.
  • Automate Workflows: Run, view, and list GitHub Actions workflows to keep track of your automation processes.
  • Manage Releases: Create, list, view, and delete releases to share your project's new versions.
  • Work with Gists: Quickly create, edit, list, view, and delete gists to share code snippets with others.
  • Use Codespaces: List, create, delete, and connect to GitHub Codespaces for a cloud-based development environment.
  • Access the GitHub API: Retrieve information from the GitHub API to get data or perform advanced tasks directly from the terminal.

With GitHub CLI, you can do all these tasks using simple commands, making it a powerful tool to boost your productivity as a developer.

Essential GitHub CLI Commands

Here are some of the most useful GitHub CLI commands to get you started:

Authentication

  • gh auth login: Logs you into your GitHub account from the terminal.
  • gh auth logout: Logs you out of your GitHub account.

Working with Repositories

  • gh repo create: Creates a new repository on GitHub.
  • gh repo clone <repository-name>: Clones a GitHub repository to your local machine.

Handling Pull Requests

  • gh pr create: Creates a new pull request for your code changes.
  • gh pr merge <pr-number>: Merges a pull request.

These are just a few of the powerful commands available in GitHub CLI. To explore more commands and learn how to use them in your projects, check out the official GitHub CLI documentation.

Installation

To get started with GitHub CLI, you'll need to install it on your system. Follow the installation guide on the GitHub CLI installation page to set it up on your machine.

Conclusion

As a developer who uses GitHub CLI daily, I can confidently say it has transformed my workflow. It makes managing repositories, pull requests, and issues much simpler and faster. If you haven't tried GitHub CLI yet, I highly recommend giving it a shot. You'll likely find it just as beneficial, making your development process smoother and more efficient. Let's start using this great tool and make our coding easier!