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Git Cherry-Pick: Applying Specific Commits to Your Branch

2025-03-03

Introduction

Sometimes, you only need one specific change from another branch without merging everything. Git cherry-pick lets you pick a single commit from one branch and apply it to your current branch, helping you keep your history clean and focused.

What is Git Cherry-Pick?

Git cherry-pick is a command that takes the changes introduced by a particular commit and applies them on top of your current branch. It’s like picking one puzzle piece from a different box to complete your picture.

Why Use Cherry-Pick?

Use cherry-pick when you want to:

  • Apply a bug fix from one branch to another without merging the entire branch.
  • Selectively incorporate a feature or change without bringing in unrelated commits.
  • Maintain a focused commit history by only including necessary changes.

How to Use Git Cherry-Pick

Basic Usage

To cherry-pick a commit, first find the commit hash (a unique identifier for the commit). Then, in your target branch, run:

git cherry-pick <commit-hash>

This command applies the changes from the specified commit onto your current branch.

Cherry-Picking Multiple Commits

If you need to apply a range of commits, you can run:

git cherry-pick <start-commit>^..<end-commit>

This command applies all commits from the commit after start-commit up to and including end-commit.

Handling Conflicts

Like merging, cherry-picking might lead to conflicts if the changes don't apply cleanly. When a conflict occurs, Git will pause the cherry-pick process. Resolve the conflicts in your files, add the resolved changes with:

git add <filename>

Then continue the cherry-pick process:

git cherry-pick --continue

Best Practices

  • Review the commit before cherry-picking to ensure it's the change you need.
  • Use cherry-pick sparingly to keep your commit history straightforward.
  • Test your code after cherry-picking to verify that everything works as expected.
  • Consider documenting why a commit was cherry-picked in your commit message for clarity.

Conclusion

Git cherry-pick is a valuable tool that lets you apply specific changes from one branch to another without merging all changes. By mastering this command, you can better control your project's history and maintain a clean, focused codebase. Happy cherry-picking!