docs: add shell expansion and Git aliases (#305)

docs/best_practices/git_aliases.md

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+---
+id: git_aliases
+title: Git aliases
+description: Learn about Git aliases
+---
+
+You'll use commands like `git status`, `git log`, `git commit` and `git push` often.
+Normally you have to type out Git commands in full before you can use them.
+
+You can save some typing by setting up Git aliases, think of them as "shortcuts" to the full command.
+
+:::tip
+Aliases do not replace the original Git commands.
+
+The full length Git commands are _always_ available.
+:::
+
+## Local vs global aliases
+
+Aliases can be "local" or "global".
+
+A local alias only works in the repository where you initially setup the alias.
+A global alias can be used anywhere on your workstation.
+
+### Setting a local Git alias
+
+Use `git config` to set a local alias:
+
+```git
+$ git config alias.ci commit
+```
+
+Now you can choose whether you want to type `git commit` or `git ci` when making a new commit in the repository where you set the alias.
+
+### Setting a global Git alias
+
+Use `git config --global` to set a global alias:
+
+```git
+$ git config --global alias.ci commit
+```
+
+Now you can choose whether you want to type `git commit` or `git ci` when making a new commit in any repository on your workstation.
+
+## Listing current aliases
+
+You can use the `git config --list --local` command to see the local Git configuration.
+Conversely, if you want to see the global configuration, use `git config --list --global`.
+
+### Listing local aliases
+
+```git
+$ git config --list --local
+alias.ci=commit
+```
+
+### Listing global aliases
+
+```git
+$ git config --list --global
+alias.ci=commit
+```

docs/git_sandbox/shell_expansion.md

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+---
+id: shell_expansion
+title: Shell expansion
+description: Learn about shell expansion
+---
+
+A handy feature of the Bash shell - and most other shells - is that it comes with shell expansion.
+
+You can type a partial Git command name, and Bash will try to expand it to the full command whenever you press <kbd>tab</kbd>.
+Shell expansion will also suggest the correct filenames/locations when you use commands like `ls` or `cd`.
+
+:::tip
+If the partial command does not uniquely match a command, add some extra letters to make the match unique and press <kbd>tab</kbd> again.
+:::
+
+## Shell expansion with Git
+
+Start typing part of the Git command, and use the <kbd>tab</kbd> key to let the shell suggest the rest of the command.
+If you don't see any suggestions from the shell, try pressing <kbd>tab</kbd> a second time.
+
+For example:
+
+1. Type `git st`
+1. Press <kbd>tab</kbd>
+1. Shell expands to `git sta`, but nothing more happens.
+1. Press <kbd>tab</kbd> again, you'll see a list of valid options:
+   ```bash
+   stage    stash    status
+   ```
+1. Type in `t` to make a unique match for `status` and press <kbd>tab</kbd>
+1. Now the shell expands to the full command: `git status`
+1. Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> to execute the command

sidebars.js

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ module.exports = {
       label: "Git sandbox",
       items: [
         "git_sandbox/setup_your_git_sandbox",
+        "git_sandbox/shell_expansion",
         "git_sandbox/explore_your_git_sandbox",
         "git_sandbox/introduction_to_git_status",
         "git_sandbox/create_a_new_file_and_track_it",
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ module.exports = {
         "best_practices/use_a_gitignore_file",
         "best_practices/split_up_your_commits",
         "best_practices/write_good_commit_messages",
+        "best_practices/git_aliases",
         `best_practices/use_a_linter`,
         "best_practices/dealing_with_merges",
         "best_practices/use_a_dependency_bot",