How to Use the Command 'git local-commits' (with Examples)

The command git local-commits is a utility that is part of the git-extras toolkit. It is designed to help developers quickly identify the commits in their local repository that have not yet been pushed to the remote repository, often referred to as ‘origin’. This command simplifies the process of checking for commits that are pending to be shared with collaborators or just stored on a remote server, facilitating better collaboration and sync between individual copies of a repository and the shared repository. The command also allows for additional arguments that are passed directly to git log, providing flexibility and customization in filtering the desired information.

Use case 1: Show Commits That Haven’t Been Pushed

Code:

git local-commits

Motivation:

One common scenario developers face is ensuring that all local changes are pushed to the remote repository. This is critical, particularly in collaborative environments where multiple users may be working on the same project. The git local-commits command serves as a valuable tool in this context. By running this command, a developer can easily review which commits have not been pushed to the origin. This aids in ensuring that no local work is unintentionally left behind, potentially becoming out of sync with the remote repository.

Explanation:

• git: This is the command-line interface for interacting with the Git version control system and is used to execute Git operations.

• local-commits: This is a subcommand provided by the git-extras suite. Its purpose is to list all the commits that exist locally but haven’t been shared with the remote repository. Essentially, it acts like a shortcut for checking the difference between a local branch and its corresponding upstream branch. This command helps streamline the workflow by quickly and efficiently identifying unpushed local changes.

Example Output:

Imagine you have been working on a new feature in a feature-branch, and you run the git local-commits command. The output might look something like this:

commit 3f43b50
Author: Jane Doe <jane@example.com>
Date:   Thu Sep 30 10:22:15 2023 +0200

    Implement user authentication logic

commit 81b9c72
Author: Jane Doe <jane@example.com>
Date:   Thu Sep 29 09:18:42 2023 +0200

    Fix bug in session management

In this hypothetical output, you can see two commits which were made locally by the author “Jane Doe”. The first commit, identified by the hash 3f43b50, includes the implementation of a user authentication feature, while the second commit, 81b9c72, addresses a bug fix related to session management. These details regarding the commits, the author, and the dates help the developer quickly ascertain what changes are pending to push to the remote repository, allowing for more effective tracking and management of the development process.

Conclusion:

In summary, the git local-commits command can significantly enhance a developer’s efficiency when using Git, especially in environments where collaboration is critical. By simplifying the identification of unpushed local commits, it prevents work from being inadvertently left out of the remote repository, thus avoiding potential conflicts or synchronization issues. This command streamlines the process of ensuring that all the contributions are appropriately pushed to the repository, facilitating more seamless and effective collaboration among developers.