GitUI

GitUI brings a Git GUI-style workflow into a terminal, with keyboard-only controls and context-based help. Users can inspect changes and commit, amend, stage, unstage, revert, or reset work at file, hunk, or line level. It also handles stashes, including saving, applying, popping, dropping, and inspecting them. Branch tools cover creation, renaming, deletion, checkout, and remote branches, alongside pushing and fetching. The interface can browse or search commit history, inspect committed diffs, and work with submodules. Commit workflows support several Git hooks; GPG signing is listed with shortcomings. GitUI is free and available under the MIT License, which includes an as-is warranty disclaimer. The README describes the project as beta and says bugs or missing features may occur, while also characterizing it as reasonably stable for personal use. It does not fully replace the Git shell, lacks sparse repository support, and requires explicit configuration of an HTTPS credential helper. Listed platforms include Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

GitUI covers many everyday Git operations inside a terminal and is free to use. Readers should account for its beta status, sparse-repository limitation, and explicit credential-helper requirement.

GitUI suits Git users who prefer keyboard-driven terminal workflows but want visual access to common repository operations. Its README characterizes it as reasonably stable for personal use while noting beta status.

GitUI brings a Git GUI-style workflow to the terminal, with keyboard controls for managing changes, branches, stashes, and history. It suits people comfortable with command-line Git who want file-, hunk-, and line-level operations in one interface. Its breadth is useful for everyday repository work, though beta status and several explicit limitations make it a less complete choice for workflows that depend on sparse checkouts or a full replacement for the Git shell.

Overview

GitUI puts common Git tasks behind keyboard-driven controls and context-based help. You can inspect changes, stage or revert selected lines, manage branches and remotes, and browse commit history without leaving the terminal. That makes it a practical fit for developers who prefer terminal work but want a visual way to navigate repository state.

The project describes itself as beta and reasonably stable for personal use, while warning that bugs or missing features may remain. Its README also says it does not fully replace the Git shell. Treat GitUI as a focused interface alongside Git commands, rather than the only tool for every repository task.

Key features

Fine-grained change control

GitUI can inspect, commit, amend, stage, unstage, revert, and reset changes at the file, hunk, or line level. That granularity helps when a file contains edits that belong in different commits, and the ability to inspect changes before committing keeps the workflow centered on the actual diff.

Branches, stashes, and history

Branch creation, renaming, deletion, checkout, and remote-branch work sit alongside push and fetch operations. Stashes can be saved, applied, popped, dropped, or inspected, and the commit log can be browsed or searched with committed diffs available for inspection. Submodule support broadens its usefulness in repositories that include nested projects.

Hooks and signing

Commit workflows support several Git hooks, and GPG commit signing is included with shortcomings. That is useful for users whose commits rely on hooks or signing, but the caveat means signing should not be assumed to cover every workflow cleanly.

Pricing

GitUI is free: its Free plan costs nothing and is an open-source terminal Git client. There is no free trial because there is no paid plan to trial. The MIT License permits use with an as-is warranty disclaimer, so users take responsibility for evaluating whether it fits their needs.

The project welcomes support and sponsors and invites people to become co-maintainers. Those are ways to contribute to the project, not paid product tiers. GitUI supports distributed versioning and self-hosted deployment.

Platforms

GitUI is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and its listed platform coverage also includes Android. Desktop users on the three named operating systems can choose it without changing the terminal-centered workflow; Android support may suit users looking for access on that platform, though the described controls and operations are oriented around a terminal interface.

Who it's for

GitUI is best for people who already work with Git and want keyboard-driven navigation plus visual, precise control of changes. It is especially useful when staging only selected hunks or lines, handling stashes, or checking commit history is a regular part of the workflow.

It is a weaker fit for repositories that require sparse checkout: sparse repositories are not supported. Users must also configure an HTTPS credential.helper explicitly. Those requirements, its beta status, and the need to retain the Git shell for some tasks call for a degree of comfort with Git configuration and command-line work.

Pros and cons

• Pro: File-, hunk-, and line-level staging and reversal make it easier to shape commits around selected changes.
• Pro: Branch, remote, stash, history, diff, and submodule tools cover many routine repository tasks in one terminal interface.
• Pro: The MIT-licensed client is free to use across Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• Con: Beta status leaves room for bugs or missing features, so it is not the safest choice for users who need a complete, settled workflow.
• Con: No sparse repository support rules it out for sparse-checkout workflows.
• Con: HTTPS credential.helper must be configured explicitly, and GitUI does not fully replace the Git shell.
• Con: GPG signing has shortcomings, which may matter in signing-dependent commit workflows.

Alternatives

For another terminal-centered Git interface, Magit is a free Emacs package installed through Emacs’ package manager or development repository, and is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Choose it if working inside Emacs is a better fit for your editor workflow.

Changes is a free, open-source macOS app. It is the relevant alternative for readers who want a macOS app rather than GitUI’s terminal interface.

Working Copy targets iOS and offers a free plan limited to five repositories, with a free trial and a Pro unlock for push to remote and other pro features. It suits iOS users who need a mobile Git client and can accept that repository cap on the free plan.

Darcs is a free and open-source version control system for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Pick it when you want that version control system rather than GitUI’s Git interface.

Git is a free, open-source option for macOS. It is the alternative for readers who want Git itself rather than a terminal interface layered over Git.

Diversion has a freemium model, a free trial, and platform coverage spanning web, desktop, API, and self-hosted use. Its Education plan is free for up to 10 users for eligible academic institutions; it suits eligible institutions seeking that team plan.

Unity Version Control offers a free tier with unlimited cloud seats and 25 GB of storage, with usage beyond included limits billed pay-as-you-go. Choose it when those cloud-seat and storage terms match your needs.

Accessibility Test Framework for Android is a free option with no free trial and is hosted in Google’s public GitHub organization. It is an alternative for readers looking at that Android accessibility testing project.

Browse more tools in Version Control Software.

Verdict

GitUI is a strong free choice for Git users who want keyboard-driven, visual control of everyday repository work, especially precise staging and straightforward branch, stash, and history management. Choose it if a terminal interface suits your habits and its constraints fit your repositories. Look elsewhere if you need sparse checkout, a complete replacement for the Git shell, or a beta-free workflow.