Git & GitHub - Rebasing Branches

How to rebase branches in Git

Rebasing is a powerful Git feature that allows you to integrate changes from one branch into another by reapplying commits on top of another base tip. This guide covers how to rebase branches effectively, including basic rebase commands, resolving conflicts, and best practices.

Rebasing Basics

Rebasing a Branch

To rebase a branch, use the git rebase command followed by the target branch name:

# Example: Rebase feature-branch onto main
$ git checkout feature-branch
$ git rebase main
                

Interactive Rebase

Interactive rebase allows you to edit, reorder, or combine commits during the rebase process. Use the git rebase -i command followed by the target commit:

# Example: Start an interactive rebase for the last 3 commits
$ git rebase -i HEAD~3
                

Resolving Conflicts

Conflicts may occur during a rebase if the changes in the commits conflict with the current state of the target branch. Git will pause the rebase process and allow you to resolve the conflicts:

# Example: Resolving conflicts during rebase
$ git rebase main

# If there are conflicts, resolve them in the affected files
$ git add resolved-file

# Continue the rebase process
$ git rebase --continue

# If you want to abort the rebase
$ git rebase --abort
                

Using Rebase in Real-World Scenarios

Keeping a Feature Branch Updated

Rebasing is commonly used to keep a feature branch updated with the latest changes from the main branch:

# Example: Rebase a feature branch onto main to incorporate new changes
$ git checkout feature-branch
$ git rebase main
                

Simplifying Commit History

Interactive rebase can be used to simplify commit history by squashing multiple commits into a single commit:

# Example: Start an interactive rebase to squash commits
$ git rebase -i HEAD~3

# In the interactive rebase editor, replace "pick" with "squash" for the commits to be combined
pick abc123 First commit
squash def456 Second commit
squash ghi789 Third commit
                

Rewriting Commit Messages

Interactive rebase also allows you to edit commit messages to make them clearer or more descriptive:

# Example: Start an interactive rebase to edit commit messages
$ git rebase -i HEAD~3

# In the interactive rebase editor, replace "pick" with "reword" for the commits to edit
reword abc123 First commit
reword def456 Second commit
reword ghi789 Third commit
                

Best Practices

Follow these best practices to use rebasing effectively:

• Use Rebase for Clean History: Use rebase to maintain a clean and linear commit history.
• Avoid Rebasing Shared Branches: Avoid rebasing branches that are shared with others to prevent conflicts and confusion.
• Resolve Conflicts Carefully: Pay attention to conflicts during rebase and resolve them carefully to ensure code integrity.
• Use Interactive Rebase for Editing History: Use interactive rebase to edit commit messages, reorder commits, and squash commits as needed.

Summary

This guide covered how to rebase branches in Git, including the basics of rebasing, resolving conflicts, real-world use cases, and best practices. Rebasing is a powerful tool that helps maintain a clean commit history and integrate changes effectively.