How to Reset to Head in Git?

Practical Uses Of 'git reset --soft'?

Last Updated : 03 Sep, 2024

With the git reset --soft command, you can roll back your branch to a particular commit while maintaining the changes made to the working directory and index (staging area), which sets it apart from other reset modes.

In this article, we will see some of the practical uses of git reset--soft.

Key Characteristics of git reset --soft:

Preserves Working Directory: The changes in your working directory remain untouched.
Preserves Staging Area: Changes that were staged remain staged after the reset.
Rewinds Commit History: The branch pointer is moved back to a specified commit, removing subsequent commits from the history.

Table of Content

Key Characteristics of git reset --soft:
Approach 1: Amend a Recent Commit:
Approach 2: Remove Unnecessary Commits

Approach 1: Amend a Recent Commit:

One of the most common uses of git reset --soft is to amend recent commits without losing the changes. Suppose you have committed changes but later realized that you want to modify the commit message or add more changes to the commit. You can use git reset --soft to unstage the commit while keeping the changes intact.

Step 1: Run git reset --soft HEAD~1

This command will reset your branch to the previous commit (HEAD~1), but your changes will still be staged.

git reset --soft HEAD~1

Step 2: Amend the Commit Message

Use git commit --amend to create a new commit with the correct message.

git commit --amend

This opens an editor where you can modify the commit message.

first — Amend the Commit Message

Step 3: Push the Changes (if necessary)

If you've already pushed the incorrect commit, you'll need to force-push to overwrite it on the remote branch.

git push origin branch-name --force

Screenshot-2024-09-01-114108 — Output

Approach 2: Remove Unnecessary Commits

If you've made some experimental commits and want to remove them without losing the changes:

Step 1: Run git reset --soft <commit_hash>

Replace <commit_hash> with the hash of the commit you want to reset to. This will remove all commits after the specified commit while retaining all changes.

git reset --soft abc1234

Step 2: Make a New Commit or Modify Changes:

You can choose to either make a new commit or adjust the changes before committing.

How to Reset to Head in Git?

H

heysaiyad

Improve

Article Tags :

Similar Reads

How to Use Git Rebase?

Git rebase can integrate the changes from one branch to another by overcoming the problems that we might have faced while using the git merge command. The changes we will do will be recorded in the form of logs which are useful to go through if any mistakes happen. Table of Content What is Git Rebas

When To Use git pull --rebase?

One of the common operations in Git is git pull, which fetches updates from a remote repository and integrates them into your local branch. By default, git pull performs a merge, but there is an alternative: git pull --rebase. In this article, we'll explore when and why you should use git pull --reb

How to Undo Git Reset?

Did you make a mistake with `git reset --hard` and lose your uncommitted changes? Depending on the situation, there might be a way to get them back. Here's what you can do: What is `git reset --hard`?This command discards any uncommitted changes and moves your project back to a specific point in his

How to Reset to Head in Git?

Git has revolutionized version control systems and made it easy the collaborative development process. However, mastering Git requires understanding the list of commands and functionalities. Among these commands, "reset to HEAD" is an important one, allowing developers to undo changes and revert to

HTML <input type=â€resetâ€>

The <input type="reset"> creates a reset button in a form that clears all the input fields back to their default values. Does not reset disabled fields: Any input fields with the disabled attribute are ignored during reset.Resets default values only: It resets to the original values specified

Using Patches in Git

Git allows developers to manage changes, collaborate with others, and maintain a history of their work. One of the lesser-known but highly useful features in Git is the ability to create and apply patches. This article will guide you through the process of using patches in Git, including creating pa

How to use GIT in Ubuntu ? (Part -2)

Git is a powerful version control system that helps developers track changes in their code, collaborate with others, and manage project versions effectively. Using Git on Ubuntu is simple and efficient. In the previous article, we learnt how to use basic GIT. In this article, we will try to learn so

Best Git Practices to Follow in Teams

We all know that Git is one of the most popular version control used by developers all over the world. Developers are using it for many years but not all developers know the best practices for using it. There are several ways to use git to communicate with your team. You can use these git best pract

How to Revert to Last Commit?

Reverting to the last commit in Git is an important skill for developers who need to undo changes and return their project to a previous state. This article will guide you through various approaches to revert to the last commit, detailing each step to ensure you can effectively manage your Git repos

How to Undo a Git Rebase?

Git rebase is a powerful tool for simplifying a feature branch by integrating changes from the main branch. However, sometimes things can go wrong, and you may need to undo a rebase. Whether itâ€™s due to conflicts, errors, or simply a change of mind, knowing how to safely undo a Git rebase is essenti