How to view file diff in git before commit

git diff HEAD file

will show you changes you added to your worktree from the last commit. All the changes (staged or not staged) will be shown.

If you want to see what you haven't git added yet:

git diff myfile.txt

or if you want to see already added changes

git diff --cached myfile.txt

To check for local differences:

git diff myfile.txt

or you can use a diff tool (in case you'd like to revert some changes):

git difftool myfile.txt

^{To use git difftool more efficiently, install and use your favourite GUI tool such as Meld, DiffMerge or OpenDiff.}

Note: You can also use . (instead of filename) to see current dir changes.

In order to check changes per each line, use: git blame which will display which line was commited in which commit.

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To view the actual file before the commit (where master is your branch), run:

git show master:path/my_file