Git Restore Command: A Comprehensive Guide

Git is the most widely used version control system in the world, allowing developers to manage their codebases with ease. One of Git’s most powerful features is its ability to restore files to a previous state. Whether you want to revert to an older version of a file or undo a commit entirely, Git restore has got you covered. In this article, we will provide an in-depth guide to the Git restore command, including its usage, options, and examples.

What is Git Restore?

Git restore is a command that can be used to restore file(s) to their previous state(s) from a git repository. The git restore command is used when you want to undo the changes that were made to a file, either before or after a commit. It can undo changes to both tracked and untracked files, making it an incredibly useful tool for developers.

Git Restore Syntax

The basic syntax of the git restore command is as follows:

git restore [options] [path/to/file]

Git Restore Options

Git restore has several options that can be used to customize its behavior. Below are some of the most commonly used options:

• --staged: This option is used to restore changes to staged files. It is useful when you want to unstage changes that were accidentally added to the commit.
• --worktree: This option is used to restore changes to unstaged files. It is useful when you want to discard local changes that were made to a file.
• --source=<commit>: This option is used to restore a file to a specific commit. It can be used to restore a file to its state before a specific commit was made.
• --quiet: This option is used to run git restore with minimal output. It is useful when you want to run git restore in a script or automation tool.

Git Restore Examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of how to use the git restore command:

Example 1: Restoring a file to its last committed state

Suppose you have made some changes to a file and want to restore it to its last committed state. To do this, you can use the following command:

git restore path/to/file

This will restore the file to its last committed state, discarding any changes you made after the commit.

Example 2: Restoring changes to a staged file

Suppose you have accidentally added changes to a file to the staging area, and you want to unstage those changes. To do this, you can use the following command:

git restore --staged path/to/file

This will remove the changes from the staging area, but leave them intact in the working directory.

Example 3: Restoring a file to a specific commit

Suppose you want to restore a file to its state at a specific commit. To do this, you can use the following command:

git restore --source=<commit> path/to/file

Replace <commit> with the hash of the commit you want to restore the file to. This will restore the file to its state at the specified commit, discarding any changes made after that point in time.

Example 4: Restoring changes to an unstaged file

Suppose you have made changes to a file that are not yet staged, and you want to discard those changes. To do this, you can use the following command:

git restore --worktree path/to/file

This will restore the file to its state before the changes were made, discarding any changes you made to the file.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the git restore command is an essential tool for developers who want to manage their codebases effectively. It allows files to be restored to a previous state, making it an incredibly useful feature. In this article, we covered the syntax, options, and examples of the git restore command, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how to use it. With this knowledge, you will be able to manage your codebase with ease and confidence.