As a process I apply patches locally first, then using git upload the update(s) to a development site on the server.  Once the testing has been completed, the final step to apply the patch to the production site.   Using Terminal or your preferred shell program, navigate to the correct directory.  Then run this command using the name of the patch file (example.patch): patch < example.patchHowever, if you are patching Drupal core then remember to patch from the root directory...