How to Combine Commits that are Not the Last Two in Git

A guide on how to use interactive rebase to combine non-consecutive commits in Git for better version control management.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/71179614/ asked by the user 'RayLoveless' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/462971/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/71179667/ provided by the user 'matt' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/341994/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Combining Non-Consecutive Commits in Git: A Step-by-Step Guide

When working with Git, it's common to find ourselves in situations where we wish to combine multiple commits into one. This often happens when we realize that certain changes would logically make more sense as a single commit, perhaps for clarity or simplicity in the project's history. This guide addresses a specific scenario: combining two commits that are not the last two on your branch. Let's dive into the issue and the most effective solution.

The Scenario

Imagine you have the following four commits on your branch:

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After creating Commit 3 and Commit 4, you realize that Commit 1 and Commit 2 should actually be merged into a single, unified commit for the sake of a cleaner commit history. Your goal is to achieve a final state that looks like this:

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The question arises: what's the best way to accomplish this? The simplest and most efficient method is using an interactive rebase. Let’s explore how to do this step by step.

Solution: Using Interactive Rebase

Interactive rebase in Git allows us to rewrite our commit history in a user-friendly way. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Start the Interactive Rebase

You'll need to start the rebase process by determining the starting point:

If Commit 1 is indeed the very first commit in your repository, run the following command:

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If Commit 1 is not the first commit, you need to identify its parent and execute:

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Step 2: Modify the Commit List

After running the rebase command, Git will present you with a list of your commits in the editor. The output will look something like this:

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To squash Commit 1 and Commit 2 together, you will need to modify this list. Change it to:

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Step 3: Save and Complete the Rebase

After making the changes, save and close the editor. Git will then prompt you to combine the commit messages for Commit 1 and Commit 2. You can edit the message to reflect the merged changes.

Step 4: Finalize Your Changes

After finalizing the commit message, save and exit the editor one last time. The interactive rebase will apply your changes, and now your commit history should look like this:

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Conclusion

Using interactive rebase is a powerful technique that simplifies the task of merging commits, especially when they are not consecutively positioned in your commit history. By following the steps outlined above, you can clean up your Git history and keep it well-organized, making it easier for others (and your future self) to understand the evolution of your project.

If you're working on collaborative projects, remember to always communicate with your team before rewriting commit history to avoid any potential conflicts. Happy coding!

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