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

The git psykorebase command is a feature of the git-extras package that simplifies the process of rebasing a branch on top of another branch. It creates a single merge commit while requiring users to address merge conflicts only once. This is particularly efficient in workflows where teams need to integrate or align branches regularly while minimizing the hassle associated with handling conflicts multiple times during a rebase.

Use case 1: Rebase the current branch on top of another using a merge commit and only one conflict handling

Code:

git psykorebase upstream_branch

Motivation:

In collaborative coding environments, it’s common for developers to ensure their feature branches are up-to-date with changes from an upstream branch—often the main branch of development. Rebasing helps incorporate upstream changes while keeping the branch history clean. Using git psykorebase instead of a traditional rebase or merge preserves commit history and prevents multiple conflict resolutions by consolidating them into one.

Explanation:

• git: This refers to the version control system being used.
• psykorebase: This is the specific command in the git-extras suite that is being used to perform the intelligent rebase with minimal conflict resolution.
• upstream_branch: This is the branch upon which the current branch will be rebased. It represents the target branch that has the latest changes that need to be incorporated into the current working branch.

Example Output:

Rebasing current branch on top of 'upstream_branch'
Auto-merging file1
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in file1
Auto-merging file2
CONFLICT (content): Merge conflict in file2
Resolve all conflicts manually, mark them as resolved with
  'git add <conflicted_files>'
then run 'git psikorebase --continue'

Use case 2: Continue after conflicts have been handled

Code:

git psykorebase --continue

Motivation:

Once conflicts are identified and resolved during the initial step of rebasing, the process needs to be continued to finalize and apply the rebase changes. The git psykorebase --continue command is crucial for making sure that the rebase process progresses towards completion once manual conflict resolutions have been applied. This step seamlessly transitions from conflict handling to completion without needing to restart or redo significant portions of the work.

Explanation:

• git: The version control system command prefix.
• psykorebase: Continues the operation where it left off, specifically for the rebase operation it initiated.
• --continue: This flag signals that the user has resolved the conflicts and is ready to proceed with the rebase continuation.

Example Output:

Applying: Commit message for the next patch
Successfully rebased and updated refs/heads/current_branch.

Use case 3: Specify the branch to rebase

Code:

git psykorebase upstream_branch target_branch

Motivation:

There are scenarios where developers need to rebase a branch that they are not currently on. Specifying both the upstream_branch and target_branch allows rebasing to occur without needing to switch contexts or perform additional setup steps. This can save time and reduce the potential for human error, making it especially useful in complex project repositories or automated scripts.

Explanation:

• git: Prefix for using Git.
• psykorebase: The command from git-extras used to conduct the single-instance conflict resolution rebase.
• upstream_branch: The branch with the latest, authoritative changes you want to rebase onto.
• target_branch: The specific branch that needs to incorporate changes from the upstream_branch.

Example Output:

Switched to branch 'target_branch'
Rebasing 'target_branch' on top of 'upstream_branch'
Auto-merging file3
...
All conflicts resolved, the `target_branch` is now successfully rebased on `upstream_branch`.

Conclusion:

The git psykorebase command is a powerful tool for managing branch histories and minimizing conflict resolution hassle during rebasing. By using this command, developers can easily maintain clean, up-to-date branches with minimal manual conflict intervention, thus streamlining their Git workflows both for individual contributors and collaborative teams.