Git reflog Command Usage Explained

If you are a Git user, it is likely that you have come across situations where you accidentally deleted a branch, lost a commit or made a change that ended up being a big mistake. Git reflog is a command that can help you recover from such situations by allowing you to view a list of all the recent history of your Git repository.

What is Git reflog?

Git reflog is a command-line utility in Git that is used to manage and view the reference logs. A reference log is a chronological list of all the changes made to the HEAD and other references in your repository. In other words, it is a record of all the actions that have been performed in the Git repository. The Git reflog command allows you to view and manage these logs.

Why Use Git reflog?

Git reflog is a life-saver when you have lost something important in your Git repository. It can help you recover lost commits, branches, and other references that may have been deleted or lost due to a mistake. By using Git reflog, you can easily track down the commit or branch that you have lost and recover it effortlessly.

Git reflog Command Syntax

Here is the basic syntax of the Git reflog command:

git reflog [options] [reference]

Some of the commonly used options of the Git reflog command are:

• --relative-date: Prints the date of each entry as a relative time.
• --all: Shows the logs for all references.
• --pretty[=format]: Makes the output pretty.

Git reflog Command Examples

Here are some examples of how you can use the Git reflog command:

Example 1: View the reference log

You can use the Git reflog command to view the reference log of your Git repository:

$ git reflog

This command will show you a list of all the recent actions performed on your repository.

Example 2: Recover a deleted branch

Suppose you accidentally deleted a branch named feature-branch. You can use the Git reflog command to recover it. First, you need to find the commit where the branch existed using the Git reflog command:

$ git reflog | grep feature-branch

This command will show you a list of all the commits that reference the deleted branch. You need to find the commit where the branch still existed.

Next, you can create a new branch at the commit you found using the following command:

$ git branch feature-branch <commit SHA-1>

This command will create a new branch named feature-branch at the specified commit.

Example 3: Recover a deleted commit

Suppose you accidentally deleted a commit that you need to recover. You can use the Git reflog command to recover it. First, you need to find the commit using the Git reflog command:

$ git reflog

This command will show you a list of all the recent actions performed on your repository, including the deleted commit. You need to find the SHA-1 of the commit you want to recover.

Next, you can create a new branch at the commit you found using the following command:

$ git checkout -b <new-branch> <commit SHA-1>

This command will create a new branch at the specified commit.

Conclusion

The Git reflog command is a powerful tool that can help you recover from mistakes and errors in your Git repository. By using this command, you can easily restore lost commits and branches, and keep your repository safe and secure. With a little practice, you can master the art of using the Git reflog command and keep your Git repository in top shape.