github · skarim · Jun 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026
@@ -209,6 +209,7 @@ If a rebase conflict occurs, the operation pauses and prints the conflicted file
 |------|-------------|
 | `--downstack` | Only rebase branches from trunk to the current branch |
 | `--upstack` | Only rebase branches from the current branch to the top |
+| `--no-trunk` | Skip trunk — only rebase stack branches onto each other (no fetch, no trunk rebase) |
 | `--continue` | Continue the rebase after resolving conflicts |
 | `--abort` | Abort the rebase and restore all branches to their pre-rebase state |
 | `--remote <name>` | Remote to fetch from (defaults to auto-detected remote) |
@@ -230,6 +231,9 @@ gh stack rebase --downstack
 # Only rebase branches above the current one
 gh stack rebase --upstack
 
+# Rebase stack branches without pulling from or rebasing with trunk
+gh stack rebase --no-trunk
+
 # After resolving a conflict
 gh stack rebase --continue
 

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ type rebaseOptions struct {
 	upstack                   bool
 	cont                      bool
 	abort                     bool
+	noTrunk                   bool
 	remote                    string
 	committerDateIsAuthorDate bool
 }
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ type rebaseState struct {
 	UseOnto                   bool              `json:"useOnto,omitempty"`
 	OntoOldBase               string            `json:"ontoOldBase,omitempty"`
 	CommitterDateIsAuthorDate bool              `json:"committerDateIsAuthorDate,omitempty"`
+	NoTrunk                   bool              `json:"noTrunk,omitempty"`
 }
 
 const rebaseStateFile = "gh-stack-rebase-state"
@@ -47,7 +49,11 @@ func RebaseCmd(cfg *config.Config) *cobra.Command {
 		Long: `Pull from remote and do a cascading rebase across the stack.
 
 Ensures that each branch in the stack has the tip of the previous
-layer in its commit history, rebasing if necessary.`,
+layer in its commit history, rebasing if necessary.
+
+Use --no-trunk to skip fetching and rebasing with the trunk branch.
+Only the inter-branch rebases are performed (branch 2 onto branch 1,
+branch 3 onto branch 2, etc.).`,
 		Example: `  # Rebase the entire stack
   $ gh stack rebase
 
@@ -57,6 +63,9 @@ layer in its commit history, rebasing if necessary.`,
   # Only rebase from current branch to the top
   $ gh stack rebase --upstack
 
+  # Rebase stack branches without pulling from or rebasing with trunk
+  $ gh stack rebase --no-trunk
+
   # Continue after resolving conflicts
   $ gh stack rebase --continue
 
@@ -73,6 +82,7 @@ layer in its commit history, rebasing if necessary.`,
 
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&opts.downstack, "downstack", false, "Only rebase branches from trunk to current branch")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&opts.upstack, "upstack", false, "Only rebase branches from current branch to top")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&opts.noTrunk, "no-trunk", false, "Skip trunk — only rebase stack branches onto each other")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&opts.cont, "continue", false, "Continue rebase after resolving conflicts")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&opts.abort, "abort", false, "Abort rebase and restore all branches")
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&opts.remote, "remote", "", "Remote to fetch from (defaults to auto-detected remote)")
@@ -115,32 +125,34 @@ func runRebase(cfg *config.Config, opts *rebaseOptions) error {
 		return ErrSilent
 	}
 
-	// Resolve remote for fetch and trunk comparison
-	remote, err := pickRemote(cfg, currentBranch, opts.remote)
-	if err != nil {
-		if !errors.Is(err, errInterrupt) {
-			cfg.Errorf("%s", err)
+	if !opts.noTrunk {
+		// Resolve remote for fetch and trunk comparison
+		remote, err := pickRemote(cfg, currentBranch, opts.remote)
+		if err != nil {
+			if !errors.Is(err, errInterrupt) {
+				cfg.Errorf("%s", err)
+			}
+			return ErrSilent
 		}
-		return ErrSilent
-	}
 
-	if err := git.Fetch(remote); err != nil {
-		cfg.Warningf("Failed to fetch %s: %v", remote, err)
-	} else {
-		cfg.Successf("Fetched %s", remote)
-	}
+		if err := git.Fetch(remote); err != nil {
+			cfg.Warningf("Failed to fetch %s: %v", remote, err)
+		} else {
+			cfg.Successf("Fetched %s", remote)
+		}
 
-	// Ensure trunk exists locally before fast-forward or cascade rebase.
-	if err := ensureLocalTrunk(cfg, s.Trunk.Branch, remote); err != nil {
-		cfg.Errorf("%s", err)
-		return ErrSilent
-	}
+		// Ensure trunk exists locally before fast-forward or cascade rebase.
+		if err := ensureLocalTrunk(cfg, s.Trunk.Branch, remote); err != nil {
+			cfg.Errorf("%s", err)
+			return ErrSilent
+		}
 
-	// Fast-forward trunk so the cascade rebase targets the latest upstream.
-	fastForwardTrunk(cfg, s.Trunk.Branch, remote, currentBranch)
+		// Fast-forward trunk so the cascade rebase targets the latest upstream.
+		fastForwardTrunk(cfg, s.Trunk.Branch, remote, currentBranch)
 
-	// Fast-forward stack branches that are behind their remote tracking branch.
-	fastForwardBranches(cfg, s, remote, currentBranch)
+		// Fast-forward stack branches that are behind their remote tracking branch.
+		fastForwardBranches(cfg, s, remote, currentBranch)
+	}
 
 	cfg.Printf("Stack detected: %s", s.DisplayChain())
 
@@ -163,6 +175,11 @@ func runRebase(cfg *config.Config, opts *rebaseOptions) error {
 		startIdx = currentIdx
 	}
 
+	// With --no-trunk, skip the first branch (which would rebase onto trunk).
+	if opts.noTrunk && startIdx < 1 {
+		startIdx = 1
+	}
+
 	branchesToRebase := s.Branches[startIdx:endIdx]
 
 	if len(branchesToRebase) == 0 {
@@ -224,6 +241,7 @@ func runRebase(cfg *config.Config, opts *rebaseOptions) error {
 			UseOnto:                   rebaseResult.NeedsOnto,
 			OntoOldBase:               rebaseResult.OntoOldBase,
 			CommitterDateIsAuthorDate: opts.committerDateIsAuthorDate,
+			NoTrunk:                   opts.noTrunk,
 		}
 		if err := saveRebaseState(gitDir, state); err != nil {
 			cfg.Warningf("failed to save rebase state: %s", err)
@@ -263,7 +281,11 @@ func runRebase(cfg *config.Config, opts *rebaseOptions) error {
 		rangeDesc = fmt.Sprintf("All upstack branches from %s", currentBranch)
 	}
 
-	cfg.Printf("%s rebased locally with %s", rangeDesc, s.Trunk.Branch)
+	if opts.noTrunk {
+		cfg.Printf("%s rebased locally (without trunk)", rangeDesc)
+	} else {
+		cfg.Printf("%s rebased locally with %s", rangeDesc, s.Trunk.Branch)
+	}
 	cfg.Printf("To push up your changes, run `%s`",
 		cfg.ColorCyan("gh stack push"))
 
@@ -393,7 +415,11 @@ func continueRebase(cfg *config.Config, gitDir string) error {
 
 	stack.SaveNonBlocking(gitDir, sf)
 
-	cfg.Printf("All branches in stack rebased locally with %s", s.Trunk.Branch)
+	if state.NoTrunk {
+		cfg.Printf("All branches in stack rebased locally (without trunk)")
+	} else {
+		cfg.Printf("All branches in stack rebased locally with %s", s.Trunk.Branch)
+	}
 	cfg.Printf("To push up your changes and open/update the stack of PRs, run `%s`",
 		cfg.ColorCyan("gh stack submit"))
 

@@ -1480,3 +1480,229 @@ func TestRebase_ConflictSavesCommitterDateFlag(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.True(t, loaded.CommitterDateIsAuthorDate,
 		"saved rebase state should preserve CommitterDateIsAuthorDate flag")
 }
+
+// TestRebase_NoTrunk_SkipsTrunkRebase verifies that --no-trunk skips rebasing
+// branch 1 onto trunk but still cascades inter-branch rebases.
+func TestRebase_NoTrunk_SkipsTrunkRebase(t *testing.T) {
+	s := stack.Stack{
+		Trunk: stack.BranchRef{Branch: "main"},
+		Branches: []stack.BranchRef{
+			{Branch: "b1"},
+			{Branch: "b2"},
+			{Branch: "b3"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeStackFile(t, tmpDir, s)
+
+	var allRebaseCalls []rebaseCall
+	var currentCheckedOut string
+
+	mock := newRebaseMock(tmpDir, "b2")
+	mock.CheckoutBranchFn = func(name string) error {
+		currentCheckedOut = name
+		return nil
+	}
+	mock.RebaseFn = func(base string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error {
+		allRebaseCalls = append(allRebaseCalls, rebaseCall{newBase: base, oldBase: "", branch: currentCheckedOut})
+		return nil
+	}
+	mock.RebaseOntoFn = func(newBase, oldBase, branch string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error {
+		allRebaseCalls = append(allRebaseCalls, rebaseCall{newBase, oldBase, branch})
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	restore := git.SetOps(mock)
+	defer restore()
+
+	cfg, _, errR := config.NewTestConfig()
+	cmd := RebaseCmd(cfg)
+	cmd.SetArgs([]string{"--no-trunk"})
+	cmd.SetOut(io.Discard)
+	cmd.SetErr(io.Discard)
+	err := cmd.Execute()
+
+	cfg.Err.Close()
+	errOut, _ := io.ReadAll(errR)
+	output := string(errOut)
+
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Only b2 onto b1 and b3 onto b2 — no rebase onto trunk (main).
+	require.Len(t, allRebaseCalls, 2, "should only rebase b2 and b3 (skip b1 onto trunk)")
+	assert.Equal(t, "b1", allRebaseCalls[0].newBase, "b2 should be rebased onto b1")
+	assert.Equal(t, "b2", allRebaseCalls[1].newBase, "b3 should be rebased onto b2")
+
+	assert.Contains(t, output, "without trunk")
+}
+
+// TestRebase_NoTrunk_SkipsFetch verifies that --no-trunk does not call Fetch.
+func TestRebase_NoTrunk_SkipsFetch(t *testing.T) {
+	s := stack.Stack{
+		Trunk: stack.BranchRef{Branch: "main"},
+		Branches: []stack.BranchRef{
+			{Branch: "b1"},
+			{Branch: "b2"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeStackFile(t, tmpDir, s)
+
+	fetchCalled := false
+
+	mock := newRebaseMock(tmpDir, "b1")
+	mock.CheckoutBranchFn = func(name string) error { return nil }
+	mock.RebaseFn = func(base string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error { return nil }
+	mock.RebaseOntoFn = func(newBase, oldBase, branch string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error { return nil }
+	mock.FetchFn = func(remote string) error {
+		fetchCalled = true
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	restore := git.SetOps(mock)
+	defer restore()
+
+	cfg, _, _ := config.NewTestConfig()
+	cmd := RebaseCmd(cfg)
+	cmd.SetArgs([]string{"--no-trunk"})
+	cmd.SetOut(io.Discard)
+	cmd.SetErr(io.Discard)
+	err := cmd.Execute()
+
+	cfg.Out.Close()
+	cfg.Err.Close()
+
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.False(t, fetchCalled, "Fetch should not be called with --no-trunk")
+}
+
+// TestRebase_NoTrunk_SingleBranch verifies that --no-trunk with a single-branch
+// stack has no branches to rebase (since branch 1 onto trunk is skipped).
+func TestRebase_NoTrunk_SingleBranch(t *testing.T) {
+	s := stack.Stack{
+		Trunk: stack.BranchRef{Branch: "main"},
+		Branches: []stack.BranchRef{
+			{Branch: "b1"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeStackFile(t, tmpDir, s)
+
+	mock := newRebaseMock(tmpDir, "b1")
+	mock.CheckoutBranchFn = func(name string) error { return nil }
+
+	restore := git.SetOps(mock)
+	defer restore()
+
+	cfg, _, errR := config.NewTestConfig()
+	cmd := RebaseCmd(cfg)
+	cmd.SetArgs([]string{"--no-trunk"})
+	cmd.SetOut(io.Discard)
+	cmd.SetErr(io.Discard)
+	err := cmd.Execute()
+
+	cfg.Err.Close()
+	errOut, _ := io.ReadAll(errR)
+	output := string(errOut)
+
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, output, "No branches to rebase")
+}
+
+// TestRebase_NoTrunk_WithUpstack verifies --no-trunk combined with --upstack
+// when the current branch is above index 0. The --no-trunk should not change
+// behavior since --upstack already starts from a non-trunk branch.
+func TestRebase_NoTrunk_WithUpstack(t *testing.T) {
+	s := stack.Stack{
+		Trunk: stack.BranchRef{Branch: "main"},
+		Branches: []stack.BranchRef{
+			{Branch: "b1"},
+			{Branch: "b2"},
+			{Branch: "b3"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeStackFile(t, tmpDir, s)
+
+	var allRebaseCalls []rebaseCall
+	var currentCheckedOut string
+
+	mock := newRebaseMock(tmpDir, "b2")
+	mock.CheckoutBranchFn = func(name string) error {
+		currentCheckedOut = name
+		return nil
+	}
+	mock.RebaseFn = func(base string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error {
+		allRebaseCalls = append(allRebaseCalls, rebaseCall{newBase: base, oldBase: "", branch: currentCheckedOut})
+		return nil
+	}
+	mock.RebaseOntoFn = func(newBase, oldBase, branch string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error {
+		allRebaseCalls = append(allRebaseCalls, rebaseCall{newBase, oldBase, branch})
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	restore := git.SetOps(mock)
+	defer restore()
+
+	cfg, _, _ := config.NewTestConfig()
+	cmd := RebaseCmd(cfg)
+	cmd.SetArgs([]string{"--no-trunk", "--upstack"})
+	cmd.SetOut(io.Discard)
+	cmd.SetErr(io.Discard)
+	err := cmd.Execute()
+
+	cfg.Out.Close()
+	cfg.Err.Close()
+
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	// --upstack from b2 = [b2, b3], --no-trunk doesn't change this since startIdx is already 1
+	require.Len(t, allRebaseCalls, 2, "upstack should rebase b2 and b3")
+	assert.Equal(t, "b1", allRebaseCalls[0].newBase, "b2 should be rebased onto b1")
+	assert.Equal(t, "b2", allRebaseCalls[1].newBase, "b3 should be rebased onto b2")
+}
+
+// TestRebase_NoTrunk_ConflictSavesState verifies that --no-trunk persists the
+// NoTrunk flag in the rebase state when a conflict occurs.
+func TestRebase_NoTrunk_ConflictSavesState(t *testing.T) {
+	s := stack.Stack{
+		Trunk: stack.BranchRef{Branch: "main"},
+		Branches: []stack.BranchRef{
+			{Branch: "b1"},
+			{Branch: "b2"},
+			{Branch: "b3"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeStackFile(t, tmpDir, s)
+
+	mock := newRebaseMock(tmpDir, "b2")
+	mock.CheckoutBranchFn = func(name string) error { return nil }
+	mock.RebaseOntoFn = func(newBase, oldBase, branch string, opts git.RebaseOpts) error {
+		if branch == "b2" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("conflict")
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	mock.ConflictedFilesFn = func() ([]string, error) { return nil, nil }
+
+	restore := git.SetOps(mock)
+	defer restore()
+
+	cfg, _, _ := config.NewTestConfig()
+	cmd := RebaseCmd(cfg)
+	cmd.SetArgs([]string{"--no-trunk"})
+	cmd.SetOut(io.Discard)
+	cmd.SetErr(io.Discard)
+	_ = cmd.Execute()
+
+	// Load the saved state and verify the NoTrunk flag is persisted.
+	loaded, err := loadRebaseState(tmpDir)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.True(t, loaded.NoTrunk,
+		"saved rebase state should preserve NoTrunk flag")
+}