How to use the Git version control UI to stage/unstage or add files to index

Question

How to view the git staging area in the IDE UI and how to review changes? When enabling/disabling the checkboxes next to changed files in the Commit tool window, they are not added/removed from the staging area/index. It doesn't look familiar or intuitive to any of the existing Git UI solutions.

Answer

There are two different approaches to staging/committing changes to git in IDE:

• Changelists
• Staging area

The Changelists approach skips the staging step, and automatically runs git add & git commit when committing from the UI. This is used as a shortcut, where the staging step is practically replaced with selecting changes in the IDE that should be included in the commit.

On the other hand, the Staging area is similar to the native git's feature and if the user is more used to working with the staging area, they can enable this feature.

• To enable the staging area, go to Settings (⌘ + , or Ctrl + Alt + S) > Version Control > Git > Commit > Enable staging area.

3. The staging area can be accessed in the Commit tool window (View > Tool Windows > Commit).

Note: For more information on IntelliJ IDEA Changelists and git staging, check the following article.