How to Use the Command 'git mr' (with examples)

The ‘git mr’ command, part of the ‘git-extras’ suite, empowers developers with enhanced capabilities when managing and working with merge requests in GitLab. It simplifies and streamlines the process of checking out merge requests locally, regardless of whether they come from a specific remote, a URL, or whether you just need to tidy up old branches associated with previous merge requests. This command enhances productivity and reduces complexity when dealing with numerous branches or when collaborating on large projects with multiple contributors.

Use Case 1: Check out a Specific Merge Request

Code:

git mr mr_number

Motivation for using this example: When working on collaborative projects, it is common for multiple merge requests to be open simultaneously. By checking out a specific merge request, developers can easily access and review the changes proposed by a colleague, ensuring they are synchronized with the work that needs to be reviewed, tested, or modified. This is pivotal for code reviews, testing environments, or continued development on top of ongoing work.

Explanation for every argument:

• git mr: Initiates the ‘git mr’ command to interact with GitLab’s merge requests.
• mr_number: Represents the identifier number of the merge request you want to check out. This unique number is assigned to each merge request in GitLab, allowing precise targeting of the desired request.

Example Output:

Checking out merge request #123 from main...
Branch 'mr-123' set up to track remote branch 'mr-123' from 'origin'.
Switched to a new branch 'mr-123'

Use Case 2: Check out a Merge Request from a Specific Remote

Code:

git mr mr_number remote

Motivation for using this example: Sometimes projects are mirrored or forked on different GitLab instances or have multiple remotes configured. It becomes essential to specify the exact remote from which the merge request should be checked out. This use case ensures that the correct remote’s context and changes are applied, minimizing confusion and maintaining a structured workflow especially in environments with multiple remotes.

Explanation for every argument:

• git mr: Starts the command to handle merge requests.
• mr_number: Identifies the merge request to be checked out.
• remote: This argument specifies the exact remote repository to check the merge request against. This is useful when you have multiple remotes added to your repository.

Example Output:

Retrieving merge request #456 from remote 'upstream'...
Branch 'mr-456' set up to track remote branch 'mr-456' from 'upstream'.
Switched to a new branch 'mr-456'

Use Case 3: Check Out a Merge Request from Its URL

Code:

git mr url

Motivation for using this example: Sometimes you might receive a direct link to a merge request, such as in an email or within project management tools. Using the URL allows you to directly check out and access the correct branch without manually finding the corresponding merge request number or remote details. This provides a seamless transition from reading about changes to testing and modifying them.

Explanation for every argument:

• git mr: Executes the command designed for merge request handling.
• url: Specifies the full URL of the merge request, uniquely identifying the location of the proposed changes within GitLab, providing a direct and precise method to check it out quickly.

Example Output:

Fetching merge request from URL: https://gitlab.com/example/repo/-/merge_requests/789
Branch 'mr-789' set up to track remote branch 'mr-789' from 'origin'.
Switched to a new branch 'mr-789'

Use Case 4: Clean Up Old Merge Request Branches

Code:

git mr clean

Motivation for using this example: As a project evolves with numerous merge requests over time, branches may accumulate and become cluttered, which can lead to confusion and unnecessary resource consumption. Cleaning up old and merged merge request branches helps in maintaining a clean working environment. It optimizes the performance of your git repository and reduces the overhead associated with managing obsolete branches.

Explanation for every argument:

• git mr: Initiates the command catered to handling merge requests in the GitLab.
• clean: An action subcommand that signifies the removal of branches associated with merged or closed merge requests.

Example Output:

Cleaning up old merge request branches...
Deleted branch 'mr-101' (was abcdef1).
Deleted branch 'mr-102' (was 1234567).

Conclusion:

The ‘git mr’ command in the ‘git-extras’ package provides a robust and flexible way to manage and interact with merge requests in GitLab. Whether you’re checking out specific requests, dealing with multiple remotes, working directly from URLs, or cleaning up your branches, ‘git mr’ enhances workflow efficiency and project organization. Employing these various use cases will allow you to manage your GitLab projects more effectively, ensuring a smoother development and collaboration process.