How to revert main branch to previous commit is a common scenario that developers may encounter when working with Git. Whether it’s due to a mistake in the latest commit or a need to undo changes for any other reason, reverting back to a previous commit can be crucial. In this article, we will guide you through the process of reverting the main branch to a previous commit in a step-by-step manner.
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand that Git has two primary ways to revert changes: using the `revert` command and using the `reset` command. The `revert` command creates a new commit that undoes the changes made in the specified commit, while the `reset` command moves the current branch and HEAD to a different commit. In this article, we will focus on using the `revert` command to revert the main branch to a previous commit.
Step 1: Check the commit history
The first step is to identify the commit you want to revert to. You can use the `git log` command to view the commit history of the main branch. This will display a list of commits, each with a unique hash value. Find the commit hash of the commit you want to revert to and note it down.
Step 2: Create a new commit to revert the changes
Now that you have the commit hash, you can create a new commit that undoes the changes made in the specified commit. To do this, use the following command:
git revert [commit-hash]
Replace `[commit-hash]` with the actual hash value of the commit you want to revert to. This command will create a new commit that undoes the changes made in the specified commit. If you want to revert multiple commits, you can use the `–no-commit` option to create a patch file that can be applied later.
Step 3: Review and commit the revert
After creating the revert commit, it’s essential to review the changes to ensure that the revert is correct. If everything looks good, you can commit the revert by running the following command:
git commit
This will open an editor where you can provide a commit message. Once you’ve entered the commit message, save and close the editor to commit the revert.
Step 4: Push the revert to the remote repository
Finally, if you want to share the revert with other collaborators, you need to push the changes to the remote repository. Use the following command to push the changes:
git push
This will push the revert commit to the remote repository, making it available to other collaborators.
By following these steps, you can successfully revert the main branch to a previous commit using the `revert` command in Git. Remember to always backup your work before making significant changes to your repository, as reverting changes can sometimes lead to data loss if not done correctly.
