Git Rerere

Git's rerere (reuse recorded resolution) command is a powerful tool that automates the resolution of recurring merge conflicts. This feature saves time and enhances productivity by remembering how you've resolved conflicts in the past and applying those resolutions automatically. We'll explore various ways to use the git rerere command, providing you with a comprehensive guide to streamline conflict resolution in your Git workflow.

1. Enabling Rerere:

Before using rerere, ensure that it is enabled in your Git configuration. You can enable it globally using:

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git config --global rerere.enabled true

Or enable it for a specific repository with:

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git config rerere.enabled true

2. Recording Resolutions:

Once rerere is enabled, Git automatically records conflict resolutions. To manually record a conflict resolution during a merge or rebase, use:

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git rerere

This command records the resolution for the current conflict.

3. Viewing Recorded Resolutions:

To view the recorded resolutions, you can use:

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git rerere status

This command shows the status of recorded resolutions, including the number of conflicted paths and the number of recorded resolutions.

4. Applying Recorded Resolutions:

To apply recorded resolutions during a subsequent merge or rebase, you can use:

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git rerere diff

This command displays the differences between the conflicted state and the recorded resolution. If you are satisfied with the resolution, Git applies it automatically.

5. Clearing Recorded Resolutions:

To clear recorded resolutions for a specific conflict, you can use:

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git rerere forget <conflicted-path>

Replace <conflicted-path> with the path of the conflicted file for which you want to forget the resolution.

6. Clearing All Recorded Resolutions:

If you want to clear all recorded resolutions, you can use:

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git rerere forget .

This command forgets resolutions for all conflicted files.

7. Disabling Rerere:

If you want to temporarily disable rerere, you can use:

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git config rerere.enabled false

This prevents rerere from recording new resolutions.

8. Enabling Rerere Again:

To re-enable rerere after disabling it, you can use:

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git config rerere.enabled true

This allows rerere to resume recording resolutions.

9. Resolving a Conflict Using Rerere:

When a conflict occurs during a merge or rebase, rerere automatically attempts to apply the recorded resolution. If successful, it completes the operation without manual intervention.

10. Manual Intervention with Rerere:

If rerere encounters a conflict it cannot automatically resolve, it pauses and allows you to manually intervene. You can then resolve the conflict manually, and rerere will record this resolution for future use.

11. Conflict-Free Operations:

Thanks to rerere, subsequent merges and rebases involving the same conflicts become almost automatic, resulting in conflict-free operations and reducing the likelihood of re-resolving the same conflicts.

12. Handling Edge Cases:

In some cases, rerere may not be suitable, especially when conflicts are context-dependent or when conflicting changes are substantial. It's essential to understand the limitations of rerere and know when manual intervention is necessary.