Common Git and GitHub Mistakes Every Developer Should Avoid

Git and GitHub are indispensable tools for modern software development. They help us manage code versions, collaborate with teammates, and track the evolution of our projects. However, like any powerful tool, it’s easy to make mistakes, especially if you’re not familiar with some of the best practices.

In this post, we’ll dive into the most common mistakes developers make when using Git and GitHub and how you can avoid them to ensure smoother workflows and more efficient development.

1. Committing Sensitive Data (API Keys, Passwords, etc.)

One of the most common (and most dangerous) mistakes in Git is accidentally committing sensitive data like API keys, passwords, or any other private information. Once this data is committed and pushed to GitHub, it can be accessed by anyone with access to the repository.

How to Avoid:

• Use .gitignore: Always add sensitive files (like .env files or configuration files) to your .gitignore to ensure they are never tracked by Git.
• Use Git hooks: Consider using pre-commit hooks with tools like git-secrets to prevent committing sensitive data.
• Revert sensitive commits: If you’ve accidentally committed sensitive data…