Methods to Uncommit the Last Commit

Method 1: Using git reset

The git reset command is a powerful tool to uncommit changes. It allows you to undo the last commit while optionally preserving the changes in your working directory. There are two main options to consider:

1. Soft Reset (–soft)

A soft reset undoes the last commit but keeps your changes in the staging area, making it easy to recommit them after making any necessary adjustments.

git reset --soft HEAD~1

• HEAD~1 refers to the commit just before the last one.
• This command moves the HEAD pointer to the previous commit but leaves your changes staged.

2. Mixed Reset (–mixed)

A mixed reset undoes the last commit and keeps your changes in the working directory but unstages them.

git reset --mixed HEAD~1

• This command is useful if you want to review the changes before recommitting.
• Your changes remain in the working directory but are not staged.

Method 2: Using git revert

The git revert command creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by the last commit. This method is useful if you want to keep a history of the undo operation.

git revert HEAD

• HEAD refers to the last commit.
• This command opens your default text editor to create a commit message for the revert commit.

Method 3: Using git commit –amend

If you simply need to change the commit message of the last commit or add additional changes to it, you can use git commit –amend.

git commit --amend

• This command opens your default text editor to edit the commit message.
• You can add new changes to the staged area before running this command, and they will be included in the amended commit.

Method 4: Using git reflog

If you have made multiple changes and want to revert to a specific state before the last commit, git reflog can be helpful. It shows a log of all your recent HEAD changes.

git reflog

Identify the state you want to revert to and reset your HEAD to that state:

git reset --hard <reflog-identifier>

• Replace <reflog-identifier> with the identifier of the desired state.
• This method discards all changes after the specified state, so use it with caution.

Sometimes, you might need to undo the last commit, whether it’s due to a mistake, an incorrect commit message, or the necessity to rework the changes. This article will guide you through different methods to uncommit the last commit in Git, ensuring you can manage your repository effectively.