Viewing Diffs
Learn how to view and understand file changes in GitGUI.
Opening the Diff Viewer
From Staging Panel
Click any file in the Unstaged or Staged sections to see its changes.
From Commit Details
- Click a commit in the graph
- Click any file in the changed files list
Diff View Modes
GitGUI offers two ways to view diffs:
Unified View
Shows changes in a single column with additions and deletions inline.
- old line that was removed
+ new line that was added
unchanged context line- Green (+) — Added lines
- Red (-) — Removed lines
- Gray — Unchanged context
Split View
Shows the original file on the left and modified file on the right, side by side.
| Left (Original) | Right (Modified) |
|---|---|
| Old content | New content |
| Removed lines highlighted | Added lines highlighted |
Toggle between views using the Unified / Split buttons in the diff header.
Diff Features
Line Numbers
Both views show line numbers for easy reference:
- Unified: Old line number | New line number
- Split: Each side has its own line numbers
Syntax Highlighting
Code is syntax-highlighted based on file type for easier reading.
Minimap
A minimap on the side shows:
- Overview of the entire file
- Red marks for deletions
- Green marks for additions
- Click to jump to that section
Scroll Sync (Split View)
In split view, scrolling is synchronized by default:
- Both sides scroll together
- Click Sync/Free to toggle independent scrolling
Understanding Changes
Hunk Headers
Diff sections start with hunk headers showing line ranges:
@@ -10,5 +10,7 @@This means: starting at line 10, showing 5 old lines and 7 new lines.
File Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Modified | File content changed |
| Added | New file created |
| Deleted | File removed |
| Renamed | File moved or renamed |
Binary Files
Binary files (images, etc.) show "Binary file" instead of a diff.
Actions in Diff Viewer
Stage/Unstage
Click Stage File or Unstage File to change the file's staging status directly from the diff viewer.
Close
- Click the X button
- Press
Escape
Viewing Historical Diffs
From Commit Details
- Click any commit in the graph
- The file list shows all changed files
- Click a file to see what changed in that specific commit
File History
Right-click a file and select File history to see all commits that touched that file.
Tips for Reading Diffs
Focus on Intent
- What was the developer trying to accomplish?
- Do the changes match the commit message?
Check Context
- Look at surrounding unchanged lines
- Understand where in the file changes occur
Watch for Patterns
- Renamed variables appear as many small changes
- Refactors may move code (deletions in one place, additions in another)
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Escape | Close diff viewer |
| Click file | Open diff for that file |
Next Steps
- Keyboard Shortcuts — Master all shortcuts
- File History — Track changes over time