You might need to cherry-pick multiple commits in Git for several reasons. Sometimes, you want to apply specific changes from one branch to another without merging all the other changes. This is useful when fixing a bug or adding a feature to a different branch. Cherry-picking lets you bring in only the needed commits. It also helps keep the branch clean and focused. This method is handy for maintaining different project versions or ensuring critical updates reach all necessary branches.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to cherry pick multiple commits in Git.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to cherry-pick multiple commits in Git. You will be able to:

1. Identify the Commits to Cherry Pick
2. Preparing the Target Branch
3. Cherry Pick Multiple Commits
4. Resolve Conflicts During Cherry Picking
5. Review and Test the Changes
6. Commit and Finalize the Changes
7. Push the Cherry-Picked Commits
8. Alternative Method: Cherry Pick a Range of Commits

With these skills, applying specific changes from one branch to another will become a breeze! Let’s dive right in and improve your Git workflow.

Identify the Commits to Cherry Pick

First, you need to find the commits you want to cherry-pick. You can use git log or git reflog to list the commit history.

 # git log --oneline

This command gives you a list of commits with their hashes and messages. Here’s what it might look like:

a1b2c3d Added new feature X
4e5f6g7 Fixed bug Y
8h9i0j1 Updated README file

Make a note of the commit hashes for the commits you want to cherry-pick.

Preparing the Target Branch

Before you start cherry-picking, create a new branch. This step is crucial. It ensures that your work stays organized and helps you manage any conflicts that might arise.

 # git checkout -b feature-branch

This command creates a new branch named feature-branch and switches to it. You should see an output like this:

Switched to a new branch 'feature-branch'

Now you’re on a new branch named feature-branch. All your changes will happen here.

Cherry Pick Multiple Commits

With the new branch ready, you can start cherry-picking the commits. Use the git cherry-pick command followed by the commit hashes.

 # git cherry-pick a1b2c3d 4e5f6g7

Git will apply these commits to your current branch. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll see a success message like this:

[feature-branch a1b2c3d] Added new feature X
 Date: Thu Aug 16 15:23:45 2024 -0400
 2 files changed, 20 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-)
[feature-branch 4e5f6g7] Fixed bug Y
 Date: Thu Aug 16 16:10:12 2024 -0400
 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

Resolve Conflicts During Cherry Picking

Sometimes, you may run into conflicts when cherry-picking commits. Git will notify you if this happens. You’ll need to resolve these conflicts before continuing.

You can check the status with:

 # git status

Git will show you the files that have conflicts. You’ll need to open these files, resolve the conflicts, and add the file back to the staging area:

 # git add resolved-file

Once you’ve resolved all conflicts, continue the cherry-pick:

 # git cherry-pick --continue

Git will finish applying the commits after you resolve the conflicts.

Review and Test the Changes

After cherry-picking, it’s a good idea to review and test your changes. Use git diff to see what changes were applied:

 # git diff HEAD~1

This command shows the difference between the last commit and the one before it. Check to make sure everything looks correct.

Commit and Finalize the Changes

If Git didn’t automatically commit your changes after resolving conflicts, you might need to do it manually. Use the following command to commit your changes:

 # git commit -m "Cherry-picked commits from main"

Your output should confirm the commit:

[feature-branch 9f2b1c6] Cherry-picked commits from main
 2 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

Push the Cherry-Picked Commits

After cherry-picking the commits, you need to push the changes to the remote repository.

 # git push origin feature-branch

This command sends your changes to the feature-branch on the remote. Always make sure your branch is up to date with the remote before pushing.

Alternative Method: Cherry Pick a Range of Commits

Cherry-picking a range of commits in Git is useful when applying specific changes from a range of commits in one branch to another.

You can use the git cherry-pick command with the commit range.

 # git cherry-pick a1b2c3d^..8h9i0j1

This command will cherry-pick all commits between a1b2c3d and 8h9i0j1. It’s efficient when you have a sequence of commits you want to apply.

Conclusion

Cherry-picking multiple commits in Git can be very handy. Whether you’re pulling in bug fixes or adding features, knowing how to cherry-pick gives you more control over your project. Remember to always create a new branch before you start. This helps you manage your changes better and avoid potential issues.

Now, go ahead and practice these steps to become more comfortable with cherry-picking in Git!

FAQs

1. What happens if there’s a conflict during cherry-picking?

Git will pause and ask you to resolve the conflict manually. Once resolved, you can continue the process.

2. Can I cherry-pick multiple non-sequential commits?

Yes, you can cherry-pick multiple non-sequential commits by listing their hashes separated by a space.

3. Can I cherry-pick from a remote branch?

Yes, you can cherry-pick from a remote branch after fetching the branch locally.

4. How do I revert a cherry-pick?

If you want to undo a cherry-pick, you can revert it using git revert commit-hash command.

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