How to use the command 'git show-tree' (with examples)

The git show-tree command is a part of the git-extras package and is used to display a decorated tree graph of all branches in a Git repository. It provides a clear visual representation of the branch structure and includes annotations such as tags and branch names.

Use case 1: Show a decorated tree graph for all branches annotated with tags and branch names

Code:

git show-tree

Motivation:

When working on a Git repository with multiple branches, it can be challenging to get an overview of the branch structure and identify important branches. git show-tree provides a visual representation of the branches, making it easier to understand the relationships between them. By including annotations such as tags and branch names, the command allows users to quickly identify important branches and see their relationships within the repository.

Explanation:

The git show-tree command is simple to use and does not require any additional arguments. When executed, it generates a decorated tree graph that represents the branches in the repository. The graph includes annotations such as tags and branch names to provide additional information about each branch.

Example output:

* [master] Commit message
|\
| * [feature-branch] Another commit message
| |
|  \
|   * [bugfix-branch] Fix bug
|   |
|    \
|     * [release-branch] Release version 1.0
|    
* [development] Merge feature-branch
|\
| * [feature-branch] Add new feature
| |
|  \
|   * [bugfix-branch] Fix bug
|    
* [initial-commit] Initial commit

In the example output, the decorated tree graph displays branches such as master, feature-branch, bugfix-branch, release-branch, and development. Each branch is annotated with its name and represents a commit in the repository. The graph shows the relationships between the branches, such as merges and commits.

Conclusion

Using the git show-tree command is a valuable tool for understanding the branch structure of a Git repository. By providing a visual representation of the branches and including annotations, the command allows users to quickly identify important branches and understand their relationships within the repository.