Git topic
Getting out of trouble
Learn how to undo mistakes and recover work you thought was lost.
Look it up and watch it run
From the Animated Git Cheat Sheet
24 commands on this topic, each drawn by git-sim on a small sample repository.
git clean -f
Find the commit that introduced a bug
git bisect start <bad> <good>
Force-delete an unmerged branch
git branch -D <name>
Abort a merge with conflicts
git merge --abort
Abort a rebase in progress
git rebase --abort
Force-push and overwrite the remote branch
git push --force
Apply and drop the latest stash entry
git stash pop
Drop a stash entry
git stash drop
The commands, played on a real repository
Pick a command to watch it happen. Each one shows its risk rating; the ones with a full page link to the before and after, whether it is safe, and how to undo it.
How to use this page
- sliderDrag it to move the graph from before the command to after it.
- ▶ / ❚❚Play or pause the command, start to finish, on a loop.
- Before · AfterJump straight to either end.
- ← → · spaceStep through a multi-step command; space toggles Before / After.
- APlay or pause from the keyboard (the page opens playing). Any manual input takes over.
- hoverA commit shows its message, author, date and parents, with its history highlighted.
- clickCopies the commit sha.
- ctrl + wheelZoom around the cursor (pinch on a trackpad). Double-click resets the view.
- EscStop playback, reset the view, close this menu.
- shareThe Share button copies a link to this graph, copies it as an image, downloads PNG/SVG/page, or posts it. #before, #after or #step=N in the link pins the state.
The Animated Git Cheat SheetFree · Customize it · Download it · Print it
Pick a command to watch it happen on a small sample repository.
gitsafe
Sample repository: . Drag the slider or press play; hover a commit for its details.
Read the full page
Practice it in Level 1
Try it on your own repository: git-sim
Every command plays on the same repository, so they are easy to compare.
No command matches that. Try a shorter word, or another danger level.
- Safe reads or only adds; nothing is lost
- Caution moves or rewrites things; recoverable from the reflog
- Destructive can lose work for good
Watch them in the git-sim viewer
Each demo plays step by step, with the before and after side by side.
git restore <file>git restore --staged <file>git reset --hard <commit>git revert <commit>git refloggit stashgit clean -fd
Every command in one place: the Visual Git command reference.
Learn how it works
Workflow demos
A few commands in a row, the way you'd use them on a real project.
Related articles
Read more about it: the articles, guides and cheat sheets on this topic.
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Rundown of the Git Archive Command
Create backups & share code by mastering git archive. Learn how to use flags & subcommands, and understand the limitations of git archive
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git reflog | Understanding Git's reflog feature
A complete guide to using the git reflog command.
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A Comprehensive Guide to Undoing Changes In Git
Confused about how to undo changes in Git? Want to understand when to use specific commands? Check out this comprehensive guide to learn the 5 best commands for undoing changes in Git at each stage of development.
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Git Cheat Sheet: 12 Essential Git Commands for Intermediate Users
In this article, we’ll discuss 12 essential Git commands for intermediate users.
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Git cheat sheet: 12 essential Git commands for beginners
In this article, I will explain 12 essential Git commands that are especially important for a beginner.
-
Git Reset | The Git Reset Command Explained
A guide to use the git reset command as a part of your Git workflow.
Every Git article, by topic: Git Articles.
Try it in your own repos
git-sim
See what a command will do to your repo before you run it. It reads the repository and draws the result without changing anything.
git-sim refloggit-sim reset --hard <commit>git-sim branch <name> <commit>
It can also pre-flight a risky command as you type it, and follow your repo live while you or an AI agent work in it.
git-dummy
Make a throwaway repo shaped for this topic, then practice on it without risking real work.
git-dummy --scenario detached-head --name practicegit-dummy --scenario merge-conflict --name practice
Then cd practice and run any of the git-sim commands here.
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