What does the -u argument mean in 'git push -u origin master'?

Web Master_2ylew3

I new to Git and BitBucket, trying to learn how to use them from the online tutorials. I've been able to create my account and set up the repository. The Atlassian tutorial then tells me to issue the command 'git push -u origin master' to load the files I have on my local machine up to the BigBucket repository.

I understand all the arguments except the '-u' which I have not been able to find through any online searches. And while I don't distrust the tutorial, I really like to know what the commands mean when I use them.

Edwin Kyalangalilwa

Hi @Web Master ,

It means an upstream branch.

git push -u

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