How to use the command 'git mr' (with examples)
Git is a widely used version control system that provides various commands to manage code repositories. One of the useful commands is “git mr” which allows users to check out GitLab merge requests locally. This command is a part of git-extras and provides several use cases to enhance the Git workflow.
Use case 1: Check out a specific merge request
Code:
git mr mr_number
Motivation:
When working with multiple merge requests in a Git repository, it can be time-consuming and inefficient to manually track and checkout each merge request to review or work on. The “git mr” command simplifies this process by allowing you to check out a specific merge request using its corresponding merge request number.
Explanation:
mr_number: The number assigned to a specific merge request.
Example output:
Switched to branch 'MR123'
Your branch is up to date with 'origin/MR123'.
Use case 2: Check out a merge request from a specific remote
Code:
git mr mr_number remote
Motivation:
In some cases, a Git repository might have multiple remotes, such as origin, upstream, or forks from other developers. When working with merge requests from a specific remote, it becomes essential to checkout the correct merge request for review or collaboration. The “git mr” command allows you to specify the remote along with the merge request number, streamlining the process.
Explanation:
mr_number: The number assigned to a specific merge request.remote: The name of the remote repository.
Example output:
Switched to branch 'MR123'
Your branch is up to date with 'upstream/MR123'.
Use case 3: Checkout a merge request from its URL
Code:
git mr url
Motivation:
Sometimes, instead of using the merge request number or remote, it is more convenient to directly specify the URL of the merge request. This can be helpful when you have the URL readily available or when sharing the URL with team members. The “git mr” command allows you to checkout a merge request by specifying its URL.
Explanation:
url: The URL of the merge request.
Example output:
Switched to branch 'MR123'
Your branch is up to date with 'origin/MR123'.
Use case 4: Clean up old merge request branches
Code:
git mr clean
Motivation:
Over time, Git repositories can accumulate a large number of branches created for merge requests. As merge requests are resolved and closed, these branches can become redundant and clutter the repository. The “git mr” command provides a convenient way to clean up old merge request branches, improving repository organization and performance.
Explanation:
clean: This argument specifies that old merge request branches should be cleaned up.
Example output:
Deleted branch MR123 (was abcdef1).
Deleted branch MR456 (was 123abcd).
Conclusion:
Using the “git mr” command, Git users can easily check out GitLab merge requests locally, enhancing their workflow by simplifying the process of reviewing and collaborating on merge requests. The command’s various use cases allow for flexibility and efficiency when working with merge requests, whether it’s checking out a specific merge request, cleaning up old branches, or using URLs instead of numbers or remotes. By mastering the “git mr” command, developers can improve their version control practices and streamline their Git workflow.
