Git Merge vs Rebase — When to Use Each
Merge and rebase both integrate changes from one branch into another, but they work very differently. Use the command builder above to construct either command with the right flags.
Build git commands visually or browse the cheat sheet. Select an operation, fill in parameters, and copy the result.
Initialize Repository
Create a new Git repositorygit init
Quick Tips
- Use
git switchinstead ofgit checkoutfor switching branches (Git 2.23+) - Prefer
--force-with-leaseover--forceto avoid overwriting others' work - Use
git reflogto recover lost commits
How git merge works
git merge creates a new merge commit that ties together the histories of two branches. The original branch history is preserved exactly as it happened. This is the safest option because it never rewrites history. Use --no-ff to always create a merge commit even when a fast-forward is possible.
How git rebase works
git rebase replays your branch's commits on top of another branch, creating new commits with different hashes. This produces a linear history without merge commits. The trade-off is that it rewrites commit history, which can cause problems if others are working on the same branch.
Which should I use?
Use merge for shared branches (main, develop) where preserving history matters. Use rebase for local feature branches before merging to keep history clean. The golden rule: never rebase commits that have been pushed to a shared remote branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is git rebase dangerous?
Rebase rewrites commit history, which is safe for local unpushed branches. It becomes dangerous when you rebase commits that others have based work on. Stick to rebasing only your own unpushed feature branches.
What is the difference between merge and rebase?
Merge creates a merge commit preserving both branch histories. Rebase replays commits on top of another branch for a linear history. Merge is safer; rebase is cleaner.
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