How to exit a 'git status' list in a terminal?

I have to guess here, but git is probably running its output into your $PAGER program, likely less or more. In either case, typing q should get you out.

:q

that's a less command, actually. It uses the same commands as vi.

Type 'q' and it will do the job.

Whenever you are at the terminal and have a similar predicament keep in mind also to try and type 'quit', 'exit' as well as the abort key combination 'Ctrl + C'.

q or SHIFT+q will do the trick. This will get you out of many extensive page scrolling sessions like git status, git show HEAD, git diff etc. This will not exit your window or end your session.

for windows :

Ctrl + q and c for exit the running situation .