# The Three States — Git Fundamentals: Commits, Branches and Collaboration

Source: https://www.skillbyai.com/en/git/git-three-states

> Follow a change through the working directory, staging area and repository to build precise commits.

## Working dir → staging → repo

A change lives in the **working directory** (files on disk), gets marked ready in the **staging area** (`git add`), then is permanently recorded in the **repository** (`git commit`).

## Like packing a box

The working directory is your **room**, the staging area is the **box** you're packing, and a commit is **sealing and shipping** that box for good.

## Why stage at all?

Staging lets you build a commit from only *some* of your changes — you don't have to commit everything you touched at once.