revert commit

Overview §

This tutorial explains how to undo changes from a specific past commit using Git’s revert command and Lazygit’s revert feature. Unlike other undo operations in Git, revert creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by a previous commit, keeping your project history intact.

Lazygit §

Reverting a Commit in Lazygit §

1. Accessing the Commits Panel:

   • Press 4 to open the 4. Commits panel in Lazygit. This panel lists all your commits.

2. Selecting the Commit to Revert:

   • Use the up/down arrow keys to navigate through the list of commits.
   • Locate the commit you want to revert.

3. Performing the Revert:

   • Once you’ve selected the commit, press t.
   • Lazygit will create a new commit that undoes the changes made in the selected commit.
   • A new commit is added to your history, effectively reversing the changes. ![Pasted image 20230722132317.png]

Finding a Specific Commit §

4. Searching for Commits:
   • If you need to find a specific commit, use / to initiate a search.
   • Enter keywords or phrases to narrow down the list.

Basic Terminal §

Reverting a Commit Using Git §

1. Identifying the Commit:

   • First, find the commit you need to undo:
     • Use git log to view a list of recent commits.
     • For a more concise list, use git log --oneline.
     • To see detailed changes (patches), use git log -p.

2. Executing the Revert:

   • Revert using the commit’s SHA hash or relative position:

     # Revert using the commit's SHA hash
     git revert BADHASH
      
     # Revert a commit that's 3 commits ago
     git revert HEAD~3

   • After running the revert command, an editor will open for you to edit the commit message of the new revert commit. Save and exit the editor once done.

Explanation §

Understanding Git Revert §

1. How Git Revert Works:
   • Git creates a reverse patch of the commit you’re reverting. This patch is then applied as a new commit.
   • This new commit is the inverse of the changes made in the original commit, effectively undoing those changes.
   • The original commit remains in your history, preserving the project’s history and ensuring transparency.

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Note on Git Revert §

• Remember that git revert is a safe way to undo changes as it doesn’t alter your project’s history. This is especially important in collaborative environments where changing shared history can lead to conflicts.

Further Enhancements §

• Consider adding a demonstration or illustration showing how a reverse patch is created and applied. This can help users visualize the process and understand how git revert maintains the integrity of the commit history.