How to Merge the Last N Git Commits You Made

How to Merge the Last N Git Commits You Made
How to Merge the Last N Git Commits You Made
Mia Chevalier
Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7:15:20 PM

Mastering Git Commit Squashing

Even though Git is a very strong version control system, there are situations when you may want to merge several changes into one. This might assist organize the history of your project so that others can more easily follow the changes as they happen. Squashing commits is a handy method, whether you're cleaning up before merging to the main branch or just want a cleaner commit log.

We'll walk you through the process of combining your last N commits into one in this guide. Your commit history will be more readable and concise by the end. Together, we can streamline and organize your Git routine. Let's get started.

Command Description
git rebase -i HEAD~N Initiates an interactive rebase that lets you squash or edit commits for the last N commits.
pick Used to pick commits to be included exactly as they are in an interactive rebase.
squash (or s) Used to merge commits with the prior commit during an interactive rebase.
git rebase --continue After resolving disputes or changing commit messages, resumes the rebase.
git push --force Overwriting history, force sends the modifications to the remote repository.

A Comprehensive Guide on Git Squashing

The main command used in the aforementioned scripts is git rebase -i HEAD~N, which starts an interactive rebase for the last N commits. You can select which commits to alter or squash with this command. An editor displaying the commits opens when the interactive rebase commences. You can squash multiple commits into one by changing the term pick next to the commits you want to combine to squash (or s). Git will ask you to update the commit message for the squashed commits after you save and close the editor.

You can use git rebase --continue to move forward if there are any conflicts throughout the rebase. In order to erase the history, the changes must be pushed to the remote repository using git push --force. This procedure is essential for organizing the commit history and making it easier to understand and handle, particularly prior to branch merging in collaborative projects.

Combining Your Most Recent N Git Commits

Using the Command Line with Git

git rebase -i HEAD~N
# Replace N with the number of commits you want to squash
# An editor will open with a list of commits
# Change 'pick' to 'squash' (or 's') for each commit you want to combine
# Save and close the editor
# Another editor will open to combine commit messages
# Save and close the editor to complete the rebase

Combining Git Interactive Rebase Commits

Git Bash is Used to Squashing Commits

git rebase -i HEAD~N
# Change 'pick' to 'squash' for the commits to be squashed
# Save the file to proceed
# Edit the commit message as needed
# Save and close the editor
# Resolve any conflicts if they arise
git rebase --continue
# Continue the rebase process
git push --force
# Force push the changes to the remote repository

Advanced Git Commit Management

The idea of keeping a clear and significant project history is another facet of squashing commits in Git. Many tiny commits that show incremental progress are typical when working on a feature branch. Although helpful in the development phase, these may complicate the history of the main branch. Squashing these commits prior to merging guarantees that only major, high-level changes are documented, which facilitates comprehension of the project's development by others.

Squashing commits can also aid in decreasing the repository's size. Git stores a snapshot of changes in each commit, therefore having too many little commits may result in an increase in storage needs. You may streamline the repository by merging these commits, which is especially useful for big projects with lots of contributors.

Frequent Queries Regarding Squashing Git Commits

  1. What does Git's term "squash commits" mean?
  2. In order to simplify the project history, squash commits refer to the process of consolidating several commits into a single commit.
  3. How do I begin a rebase that is interactive?
  4. With the command git rebase -i HEAD~N, you can initiate an interactive rebase by substituting N with the number of commits.
  5. What distinguishes "pick" from "squash" in an interactive rebase?
  6. The terms "pick" and "squash" refer to combining a commit with its predecessor, respectively, and keeping it exactly as is.
  7. How can I carry on with a rebase once issues have been resolved?
  8. Use the command git rebase --continue to continue after conflicts have been resolved.
  9. What accomplishes the 'git push --force' command?
  10. By using the command git push --force, you can forcefully overwrite the history of the remote repository and update it with your local changes.
  11. Can data loss result from squashing commits?
  12. Data loss shouldn't occur via squashing if done carefully, however backup your branch before doing a rebase.

Concluding Remarks on Git Squashing

In Git, squashing commits is an important way to maintain a clear and comprehensible project history. You can improve the readability and manageability of your repository by consolidating several little commits into a single, larger commit. This procedure is particularly significant in group settings where productive teamwork depends on having an unambiguous commit log. In order to guarantee a successful and seamless squashing procedure, don't forget to thoroughly review and settle any conflicts during the rebase process.