While using Git for version control, one of the most important skills that you should develop is how you manage branches. Merging is basically one common way to combine the changes from multiple branches. There is another powerful tool that you can use, and that is Git Rebase. If you want your project history to be clean and linear, it is important for you to understand rebase in Git.
In this blog, we will discuss what Git Rebase is, how it works, when you can use it, and how it is different from Git Merge. So let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
What is Git?
Git is basically a tool that helps you keep track of the changes in your code, documents, or any project files. It is free for all users and one of the most popular tools that is used by developers to manage their work. Git can be used in two ways: through the command line or by using a graphical interface.
When you use Git through the command line, it is called Git Bash. On the other hand, when you use the visual version with buttons and menus, it is called Git GUI.
The working process of Git involves saving snapshots of your files at different points in time. These snapshots are called commits. Every commit indicates how your project appeared at that time. You can have a look at those commits at any time and even go back to an earlier version if required. This makes it easier for you to manage your work and fix the mistakes.
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What is Branching?
A branch in Git is simply a working directory that does not affect the primary project, and you can either add new features or correct bugs in it. This enables you to experiment with any changes or create anything new without modifying the original code. Once you have finished working on your branch, everything looks good, and you can merge those changes into the main project
The command git branch is used to manage those branches. You can use this command to create a new branch, rename it, see a list of branches, and delete a branch that you don’t want anymore. In this way, you can work on multiple things at once without any issue.
What is Git Rebase?
Git Rebase is basically a command that allows you to move your changes to the latest version of the main branch. It is the same as taking the work you did in your feature branch and pasting it neatly at the top of the latest code. Hence, everything looks clean and organized.
Instead of mixing the changes with a messy merge, like the git merge, git rebase helps you to put your commits one after another. This makes your project history simple and easy to follow. This can be used when you are working with a team and would like things to be compact and clean.
Syntax for Git Rebase
The syntax for Git Rebase is given below for your reference:
git checkout <feature-branch>
git rebase <base-branch>
In the above syntax,
- <feature-branch> is the branch where the changes are made, like adding a new feature or fixing a bug.
- <base-branch> is the branch where you want to update your work. It is the main branch of the project, like main or master.
Rebase Commands
The rebase commands in Git are given below. All Git commands used here are compatible with Git version 2.25 and above.
1. git rebase <base-branch>: This command is to rebase the current branch onto the one that you specified (like main) as the base branch. It then applies your changes to the top of the code.
2. git rebase –d: In interactive rebase, you can drop a commit using d. This means that you want to remove that commit from the final history.
3. git rebase –p: This command does not change the commit, and the message and code remain untouched.
4. git rebase –x: This command allows you to run a shell command (like a test or script) on a specific commit during the rebase process.
5. git rebase –continue: You can use this command to move forward with the rebase process after fixing a conflict during rebase.
6. git rebase –skip: If a commit is causing issues and you don’t want to include that commit, this command skips that commit and continues to rebase the rest.
7. git rebase –interactive <base-branch>: This command is used to open an editor where you can control and review each commit, like reordering them, combining them, editing messages, or removing commits. You can use it to clean up the commit history.
How does Git Rebase work?
When you execute a git rebase, Git performs the following steps:
1. Find the common starting point: At first, Git looks for the last shared commit between your branch and the branch you want to rebase onto (like main or master). This is the point where both branches started from, before they went in different directions.
2. Rewind your commits: Git temporarily takes out your changes from the branch, like hitting an undo button. It does this so it can later reapply them on top of the latest version of the other branch.
3. Apply the changes to the new base: Git now replays your commits one by one on top of the latest version of the branch you’re rebasing onto (like main). If there is an issue, like both the branches changed the same part of a file, Git will pause for some time and ask you to fix the conflict before it resumes again.
4. Update your branch: Once you have added all your commits to the new base, Git moves your branch label in order to point to this updated version. Now, your branch includes your changes on top of the latest code, as if you started working from there in the first place.
5. Clean history: In the end, Git shows your changes as if they were made directly after the latest commit on the other branch (like main). This makes the commit history look straight and organized, without any confusing forks or extra merge commits.
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Types of Git Rebase
There are basically 3 types of Git Rebase. Each of the 3 types is explained below:
1. Git Interactive Rebase
Git Interactive Rebase is a very efficient command that enables you to edit, rearrange the sequence, merge, or even drop commits that you made. But there is one important thing you should remember: you can use interactive rebase on the branch you are currently working on. In order to use interactive rebase, you should use the -i flag with the git rebase command. The command is given below:
git rebase -i
The above command will open a list of your recent commits, and from there, you can choose what you want to do with each commit.
2. Non-interactive Rebase (Standard Rebase)
Git Non-Interactive Rebase is the regular or default way to rebase a branch without manually editing or choosing actions for each commit. It automatically takes the commits you did on the current branch and reapplies them to the last commit on the target branch.
Unlike interactive rebase, you will not be presented with a list of commits to edit. Git simply picks your changes and reapplies them in order, making the process fast and automatic.
You can use it when you simply want to update your branch with the newest changes from another branch, but without making any changes to the commit messages and merging commits that have already been made.
In order to perform a non-interactive rebase, you can use the following command:
git rebase <base-branch>
3. Auto-merge Rebase
Auto-Merge Rebase happens when Git is able to automatically apply your commits on top of the target branch without any conflicts. This means Git smoothly merges your changes without needing your help.
If there are no overlapping changes between your branch and the branch that you are rebasing onto, Git handles everything for you automatically. However, if a conflict is detected by Git during the rebase, the process will be paused, and Git will ask you to resolve the issue manually before the process is continued. It is advisable for you to rebase your feature branches frequently onto the latest main branch. This helps to keep your work up to date and reduces your chances of future conflicts.
In order to perform an auto-merge rebase, you can use the following command:
git checkout <feature-branch>
git fetch origin
git rebase origin/main
The above command is used to fetch all the latest changes from the main branch and rebases your present branch on top of it.
Git Standard vs Git Interactive Rebase
While using Git Rebase, you are provided with two options: Standard Rebase and Interactive Rebase. Both of these options allow you to move your commits on top of another branch, but they function differently. The difference between them is given below in tabular format.
| Feature |
Standard Rebase |
Interactive Rebase |
| How it works |
Git automatically applies all your commits one after another |
You have to manually edit, reorder, squash, or drop commits |
| Manual control |
No manual control needed |
Full manual control over each commit |
| Use case |
Best when you just want to update your branch with the latest changes |
Best when you want to clean up or organize your commit history before merging |
| Command used |
git rebase |
git rebase -i |
| Editing commits |
You can’t change the commit messages or their order |
You can change commit messages, squash multiple commits, or remove them |
| Suitable for |
Beginners or quick syncing with the base branch, like main |
Advanced users who want to rewrite the commit history clearly |
| Conflict handling |
Git stops only when there’s a conflict |
You handle conflicts and also make decisions about each commit |
| Effect on history |
Keeps the original structure but moves it on top of the latest branch |
Rewrites and improves the structure of the commit history |
Git Rebase vs Git Merge
The difference between Git Rebase and Git Merge is given below in a tabular format:
| Feature |
Git Rebase |
Git Merge |
| How it works |
Moves your commits and places them on top of another branch |
Combines the histories of two branches into one with a merge commit |
| Commit History |
Creates a clean, linear history |
Keeps all commit history, including branches and merges |
| Use Case |
Best for cleaning up local commits before sharing your work |
Best for preserving the full history when working with teams |
| Visibility of Changes |
Makes it look like changes happened in a straight line |
Shows a true picture of how branches diverged and came back together |
| Risk of Conflicts |
Can cause conflicts while replaying commits |
Conflicts may happen, but usually only once at the merge point |
| Public or Private Use |
Safer to use in your local/private branches |
Safe to use even on public/shared branches |
| Command Example |
git rebase main |
git merge main |
| Resulting Commit |
No extra merge commit; just rebased commits |
Creates a new merge commit |
Git Rebase Abort
Sometimes, while using Git rebase, you may run into issues like conflicts or mistakes in the middle of the process. At the time when you feel stuck here and you want to go back to things from where you started, you can use Git rebase abort. This command tells Git to cancel the rebase and return your branch to its original state. You can use this command when you are not sure about how you fix a conflict or mistake and make a fresh start. The command syntax for Git rebase abort is given below:
Syntax:
git rebase --abort
This command will stop the rebase and reset your working directory.
Git Pull Rebase
The git pull rebase is used when you want your branch to be up to date with the remote branch, but in a cleaner way. Git rebase takes your local changes and re-applies them at the top of the latest remote changes. This helps to keep your history neat and clean. This process involves 2 steps:
1. At first, it fetches the latest updates from the remote repository.
git fetch <remote>
2. After that, it re-applies your work on top of the new updates.
git pull --rebase
You can use it while collaborating with others to avoid any unnecessary merge commits, and it also helps to keep things organized.
Advantages of Git Rebase
1. Git rebase helps to keep your project history neat and simple by avoiding large commits.
2. With a clean history, it becomes easy for you to follow the changes that were made and why.
3. Git rebase helps you to apply your changes easily on top of the latest version of the main branch.
4. Using Git rebase often can reduce the chances of facing merge conflicts in the future.
Disadvantages of Git Rebase
1. Git Rebase can be confusing, especially if your project consists of a long commit history.
2. If you make a mistake while rebasing, your commits might get lost.
3. Git rebase changes the commit history. This can cause problems while you are working with others on the same branch.
4. If some other branch is based on your old commits, rebasing can cause merge issues.
Best Practices for Using Git Rebase
1. If you’re working on a branch that others are also using, don’t rebase it. Rebase changes history, and that can create confusion for your teammates.
2. Before you merge your work into the main branch, rebase can be used to merge all the messy or small commits into one clean commit.
3. You should always keep your feature branch connected with the main branch by rebasing it regularly. This helps you to identify and fix issues.
4. If a rebase leads to conflicts, solve them immediately. Things can get harder if you wait too long.
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Conclusion
Git rebase is a powerful and efficient way to keep your commit history clean, linear, and organized. With the help of Git rebase, you can make the history of your project more linear, reduce the amount of merge conflicts, and make it easier for others to understand your changes. You should always use it wisely, especially in the private branches. You should also not rebase the things that are already shared. By regularly practicing and following the right path, rebasing in Git can become very useful for you. If you are preparing for your role in DevOps, explore the interview questions for Git and enroll in our DevOps course.
Git Rebase – FAQs
Q1. Can I undo a Git rebase if I make a mistake?
Yes, locate the previous state with the help of git reflog and then reset the branch.
Q2. Is Git rebase safe for beginners?
Yes, if used on local branches, but you should be careful when working with shared code.
Q3. What is the difference between Git rebase and Git cherry-pick?
Rebase moves a whole series of commits; cherry-pick moves just one commit.
Q4. Do I lose my commits when I rebase?
No, unless you accidentally delete them or force push without having a look.
Q5. Can I rebase after merging?
It is not recommended to rebase after merging. This is because rebasing after a merge can make your history confusing.