How to use the command 'git graft' (with examples)

The ‘git graft’ command is a powerful addition to the Git toolkit, provided by git-extras, which extends Git’s functionality beyond the core features. This command is used to merge commits from one branch into another and then delete the source branch once the merge is complete. It simplifies workflow by automating these tasks, streamlining your development process, and maintaining a tidy branch structure. This guide will illustrate its application through a specific use case.

Use case: Merge all commits not present on the target branch from the source branch to the target branch, and delete the source branch

Code:

git graft feature_branch main

Motivation:

In collaborative development environments, developers often create new branches for specific features or bug fixes. Once the work on a feature or fix is complete, it needs to be integrated into a more stable branch, such as main, for the updated functionality or fix to become a part of the primary codebase. However, manually merging commits and then cleaning up by deleting the unnecessary feature branch can be tedious and error-prone. The ‘git graft’ command is perfect for this scenario as it automates the merge process and cleans up by deleting the source branch post-merge. Using ‘git graft’ ensures that no relevant commits are left behind and the branch structure remains uncluttered, minimizing branch management overhead.

Explanation:

• git graft: This is the primary command invoked from the git-extras suite that allows the merging and purging operation of branches.
• feature_branch: This is the source branch name where the development work was conducted. Here, “feature_branch” is a placeholder for the branch you wish to merge into the target. It contains commits that are not yet present in the target branch (main).
• main: This is the target branch where you want the changes from feature_branch to be integrated. It is typically a stable branch (e.g., main or master) that forms the primary codebase shared across the development team.

Example Output:

Upon executing the command, the expected output will follow this pattern:

Merging branch 'feature_branch' into 'main'...
Deleted branch feature_branch (was f123456).

This output shows that the commits from feature_branch have been successfully merged into main, and the feature_branch has been deleted, confirming that the operation was successful without affecting the working directory’s integrity.

Conclusion:

The ‘git graft’ command is a highly efficient tool designed to streamline branch management by merging and deleting source branches in a single command. For developers who frequently engage in branch-based feature development, this automation reduces manual overhead, minimizes errors, and keeps the repository organized. Whether you’re working as part of a team or managing your personal projects, integrating ‘git graft’ into your workflow can greatly enhance productivity and codebase management.