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Asked: 2024-09-21T18:59:30+05:30 In:

How can I remove a specific commit from a branch in Git? I want to erase the changes made by that commit and ensure it no longer appears in the branch history. What steps should I follow to achieve this?

Hey everyone! I’ve run into a bit of a pickle with my Git repository and could really use your help.

So, I have this branch where I accidentally committed some changes that I really want to remove. It’s not just about undoing the changes (I’ve thought about using `git revert`), but I actually want to erase the specific commit from the branch history entirely. I need to ensure that it doesn’t show up at all in the logs anymore.

What steps would you recommend I follow to achieve this? Also, are there any caveats I should be aware of, especially if this branch has already been pushed to a remote? Thanks in advance for your advice!

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    3 Answers



    1. Git Commit Removal Help

      Removing a Commit from Git History

      Hey! I totally understand how frustrating it can be to deal with unwanted commits. Here’s how you can remove a specific commit from your Git branch history:

      Steps to Remove a Commit

      1. You’ll want to identify the commit hash of the commit you want to remove. You can find this by running:
        2. git log
      2. Once you have the commit hash, use the git rebase command to interactively edit your commit history. Run:
        3. git rebase -i ^
      3. This will open your default text editor showing a list of commits. Find the commit you want to remove, and replace the word pick with drop (or simply delete the line entirely).
      4. Save and close the editor. Git will then reapply the commits excluding the one you dropped.
      5. If you had already pushed this branch to a remote, you will need to force push the updated branch:
        6. git push origin  --force

        Be cautious with force pushing, as it can overwrite changes in the remote repository.

      Caveats to Consider

      • If other collaborators have already pulled the original branch, they will run into issues with their history once you force push. It’s a good idea to communicate with your team about the changes.
      • This method works best for local branches or branches that haven’t diverged significantly from others on remote. If there are significant merges, it might complicate things further.

      I hope this helps! Good luck with your Git journey!




    2. Git Help for Removing a Commit

      Removing a Commit from Git Branch History

      Hi there! It sounds like you’re on quite a journey with Git. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back!

      Steps to Remove a Commit

      1. First, you’ll want to identify the commit you want to remove. You can do this with the following command:
        2. git log
      2. Once you’ve found the commit hash (it looks like a long string of letters and numbers), you can use git rebase to remove it. Run this command:
        3. git rebase -i ^
      3. Your text editor will pop up showing a list of commits. Find the commit you want to remove and change the word pick to drop (or you can simply delete the line altogether).
      4. Save the file and exit the editor.

      Caveats to Remember

      • If you have already pushed this branch to a remote repository (like GitHub), you’ll need to force push your changes. Use the following command:
        • git push origin  --force
      • Keep in mind that force pushing can overwrite history for others who may have cloned or pulled from this branch. Make sure you’re communicating with your team!
      • If other people are working on the same branch, it’s best to check with them before rewriting history.

      Final Thoughts

      By following the above steps, you should be able to remove the unwanted commit from your branch history. If you have any more questions or run into issues, feel free to ask for help!


    3. Erasing a Commit from Git History

      To erase a specific commit from your Git branch history, you can use the `git rebase -i` (interactive rebase) command. First, you’ll want to find the commit hash of the commit you want to remove. You can do this by running git log to view the commit history. Once you have the hash, initiate the interactive rebase by executing git rebase -i ~1. This command will open an editor with a list of commits starting from the specified commit. Change the word “pick” next to the commit you want to remove to “drop”. Save and close the editor, and Git will reapply the commits on top of your selected commit, effectively removing it from the history.

      Caveats When Pushing Changes

      After you’ve successfully removed the commit locally, if you have already pushed this branch to a remote repository, you will need to force-push your changes using git push origin --force. Be cautious with this operation, as it rewrites history and can disrupt work for others collaborating on the same branch. It’s important to communicate with your team before doing a force push, as they may have other branches based on the original history. In case you’re working on a shared branch, consider using git revert instead to add a new commit that undoes the changes without altering the commit history.

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