How to Undo a Git Commit: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Git is a powerful version control system that allows developers to track changes in their codebase and collaborate efficiently. One of the most essential Git commands is git revert. This command plays a pivotal role in undoing changes made by previous commits, without altering the commit history.

Unlike commands such as git reset, which can modify the commit history, git revert creates a new commit that undoes the changes of a specific commit while keeping the overall history intact. This makes git revert a safe option for situations where you want to backtrack on a commit, especially when working in a collaborative environment.

The purpose of git revert is to maintain the integrity of the project history while giving developers the ability to discard or correct unwanted changes. This makes it an essential tool when working with shared repositories or when dealing with errors in a live environment.

How Does Git Revert Work?

The git revert command operates by creating a new commit that negates the changes introduced by a previous commit. Rather than deleting the history, it simply applies the inverse of the changes made in the target commit. This is achieved by identifying the commit in question, determining the changes it introduced, and reversing those changes.

Git will then create a new commit that undoes the changes of the specified commit. This means that the history remains intact, and all collaborators will see the revert as a new commit. The revert command also allows you to handle merge conflicts if they arise during the process, ensuring that your codebase remains in a stable state.

Git ensures that the reverted commit is always added to the history, and it provides an opportunity to amend or modify the commit message if necessary. This ensures that the history remains consistent and that all actions are traceable, which is essential for transparency and collaboration in software development projects.

Why Use Git Revert?

There are several reasons why a developer might want to revert a commit in Git. These include:

• Undoing Unintended Changes: If a commit introduces a bug or an error, you may need to revert it to restore the functionality of your project.

• Correcting Mistakes: Developers sometimes make mistakes in their commits, whether it’s an incorrect file addition, a typo in the code, or a configuration error. Reverting the commit allows you to correct these mistakes without affecting the entire history.

• Collaborating with a Team: When working with a team, it is crucial to ensure that no one inadvertently rewrites history or causes conflicts in the shared repository. Reverting a commit creates a new commit that undoes the changes without affecting the work of others.

• Keeping the Commit History Intact: The git revert command ensures that the history is maintained as is, which is important for projects that require a clear and accurate history of changes.

Reverting a commit is an essential tool for managing a Git repository, especially in environments where multiple developers are contributing to the same codebase. By allowing you to undo changes without altering the commit history, it helps to maintain a stable and clean project while allowing you to fix issues as they arise.

The Key Advantages of Using Git Revert

There are several advantages to using the git revert command over other options like git reset. Some of the key advantages include:

• Non-destructive: Unlike commands that alter history, such as git reset or git rebase, git revert does not change the commit history. This ensures that the history of the repository remains clean and intact, which is essential when working in a collaborative environment.

• Safe in Collaborative Workflows: Since git revert creates a new commit that undoes the changes of the previous one, it does not disrupt the work of other collaborators. This makes it a safe option for reverting commits in a shared repository, as there is no risk of causing problems for other contributors.

• Conflict Resolution: In cases where the changes in the commit you are reverting conflict with other changes in the codebase, Git will prompt you to resolve the conflict manually. This ensures that your code remains stable and functional, even after a revert.

• Clear Commit History: By creating a new commit that undoes the previous one, git revert ensures that the commit history remains accurate and transparent. This makes it easier for other developers to understand the changes that have been made and to track the evolution of the project over time.

Understanding Git Commit Hashes

Before you can revert a commit in Git, you need to know how to identify the commit you want to undo. Every commit in Git is uniquely identified by a commit hash, which is a long alphanumeric string that serves as a fingerprint for that commit.

To find the commit hash of the commit you wish to revert, you can use the git log command. This command will show you the history of commits, including the commit hashes, author names, commit messages, and the dates when the commits were made.

The git log command provides a detailed view of the commit history, making it easy to locate the commit you want to revert. Once you’ve identified the commit, you can copy its hash and use it with the git revert command to undo the changes made in that commit.

A typical output from the git log command might look something like this:

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commit 9fceb02 (HEAD -> main)

Author: Jane Doe

Date: Mon Apr 8 10:15:32 2025 +0530

    Added login validation

 

In this example, the commit hash is 9fceb02, which you can use to revert the commit. Once you’ve identified the hash of the commit you want to revert, you’re ready to proceed with the revert process.

How to Revert a Commit in Git: The Basic Steps

To revert a commit in Git, you will need to follow a few straightforward steps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Identify the Commit: First, use git log to identify the commit hash of the commit you want to revert. This command will display a list of all commits in your repository, along with their hashes.

2. Run the Revert Command: Once you’ve found the commit hash, use the git revert command to revert the changes. This will create a new commit that undoes the changes introduced by the original commit.

3. Resolve Conflicts: If there are any conflicts during the revert process, Git will pause and ask you to resolve them manually. After resolving the conflicts, you can proceed with the revert.

4. Push the Changes: Finally, once the revert is complete, push the new commit to the remote repository. This will apply the reverted changes to the shared codebase and keep the history intact.

Executing the Git Revert Command and Handling Conflicts

Finding the Commit to Revert

Before using the git revert command, it is essential to identify the commit that you want to undo. Each commit in Git is associated with a unique identifier known as the commit hash. This hash is a long string of alphanumeric characters that distinguishes each commit in the repository’s history.

To locate the commit you wish to revert, you can use the git log command. This command will display a detailed list of all the commits in your repository, along with their hashes, authors, commit messages, and timestamps. By carefully reviewing the commit history, you can pinpoint the commit that needs to be reverted.

Here’s how to use git log:

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git log

 

The output will look something like this:

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commit 9fceb02 (HEAD -> main)

Author: Jane Doe

Date: Mon Apr 8 10:15:32 2025 +0530

    Added login validation

 

commit 7d8b9e4

Author: John Smith

Date: Mon Apr 8 09:05:10 2025 +0530

    Fixed typo in the README file

 

In this example, you would copy the commit hash (such as 9fceb02) for the commit you wish to revert. If you are reverting a commit based on the commit message or the changes introduced, ensure that you carefully review the log to find the correct one.

Reverting a Single Commit

Once you have identified the commit hash, you can proceed to revert it using the git revert command. This will create a new commit that undoes the changes introduced by the specified commit, while preserving the project’s history.

To revert a single commit, use the following syntax:

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git revert <commit_hash>

 

For example, if the commit hash is 9fceb02, you would run:

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git revert 9fceb02

 

After running this command, Git will open your default text editor to allow you to modify the commit message. By default, it will include a message like this:

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Revert “Added login validation”

 

This reverts commit 9fceb02.

 

You can edit this message if necessary, but generally, it’s good practice to leave it as is, as it indicates which commit is being reverted. After saving and closing the editor, Git will create a new commit that undoes the changes made in the original commit.

Handling Merge Conflicts During a Revert

In some cases, reverting a commit can cause conflicts, especially if the changes in the commit conflict with other changes that have been made in the codebase since that commit was introduced. When this happens, Git will pause the revert process and alert you to the conflict.

To resolve the conflict, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Conflict: Git will highlight the conflicting files in the working directory. You can use git status to view the conflicting files.

2. Manually Resolve the Conflict: Open the conflicting files and manually resolve the conflict. This might involve choosing between the changes introduced by the commit being reverted and the current changes in the codebase.

3. Stage the Resolved Files: After resolving the conflicts, use git add to stage the files that have been fixed.

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git add <file_name>

 

1. Continue the Revert: Once all conflicts are resolved and staged, continue the revert process by running the following command:

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git revert– continue

 

This will complete the revert process and create a new commit that undoes the changes of the original commit while incorporating the resolved conflicts.

If you decide that the revert operation should be canceled, you can use the following command to abort the revert:

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git revert– abort

 

This command will restore the repository to its previous state, discarding the revert changes, and you can attempt a different solution if needed.

Pushing the Reverted Commit

After successfully reverting the commit and resolving any conflicts, the final step is to push the new commit to the remote repository. This ensures that the changes are reflected in the shared codebase, and the history remains intact.

To push the changes, use the following command:

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git push origin <branch_name>

 

For example, if you’re working on the main branch, the command would be:

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git push origin main

 

This will upload the new commit, which effectively undoes the changes made by the commit you reverted, to the remote repository.

Reverting a Commit After Pushing

In many cases, you may need to revert a commit after it has already been pushed to a shared repository. The process remains the same as when reverting a local commit, but it is important to note that once a commit has been pushed to a remote repository, other team members might have already based their work on that commit. Reverting a commit after it has been pushed is the safest option, as it prevents rewriting history.

Reverting a commit after pushing it works as follows:

1. Check the Commit History: Use git log to identify the commit you want to revert.

2. Run the Revert Command: Use the git revert <commit_hash> command to create a new commit that undoes the changes of the specified commit.

3. Push the Reverted Commit: After successfully creating the revert commit, push it to the remote repository with git push origin <branch_name>.

By following these steps, you ensure that the history of the repository remains intact and that the changes are safely undone without affecting the work of others in the team.

Reverting Multiple Commits in Git

Git also allows you to revert multiple commits at once. This can be particularly useful if you have a series of commits that need to be undone, either because they were all part of the same feature or because they introduced several bugs.

To revert multiple commits, you can specify a range of commits using the following syntax:

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git revert <oldest_commit_hash>^..<newest_commit_hash>

 

The caret (^) symbol is used to include the oldest commit in the range. For example, if you want to revert three commits, the command might look like this:

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git revert a1b2c3d^..f6g7h8i

 

This will revert all the commits between a1b2c3d and f6g7h8i, creating individual revert commits for each one.

Reverting multiple commits can be useful when rolling back a feature or undoing a series of changes that introduced errors. It ensures that the changes are reversed while maintaining the commit history intact.

Reverting Merge Commits

Reverting a merge commit is slightly more complex than reverting a regular commit because Git needs to know which parent of the merge should be considered the “mainline” parent. The git revert command allows you to specify the parent using the -m option.

To revert a merge commit, you need to use the following syntax:

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git revert -m 1 <merge_commit_hash>

 

In this example, -m1 specifies that the first parent of the merge commit should be treated as the mainline. If you want to revert a merge commit using the second parent, you would use -m 2.

Reverting merge commits can be useful in scenarios where a large feature or change was merged into the codebase but later needs to be undone. This command ensures that only the changes from the merge are reverted and not the entire commit history leading up to it.

Advanced Git Revert Usage and Best Practices

Reverting a Commit in a Branch

When working with branches in Git, you may sometimes need to revert a commit that is located in a branch that is not the main branch. The process of reverting a commit in a branch is the same as reverting a commit on the main branch, but you must ensure that you are working in the correct branch.

To revert a commit in a branch, follow these steps:

Switch to the Branch: First, switch to the branch where the commit is located using the git checkout command.

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git checkout <branch_name>

 For example, if the commit is in the feature branch, you would run:

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git checkout feature-branch

Identify the Commit: Use git log to find the commit you want to revert in the branch.

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git log

1.  Once you find the commit, copy its commit hash.

Revert the Commit: Use the git revert command followed by the commit hash.

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git revert <commit_hash>

2. Resolve Conflicts (if any): If conflicts arise, Git will stop the revert process and prompt you to resolve them manually. Use git status to find the conflicting files and resolve the issues.

Push the Revert: After resolving conflicts and completing the revert, push the new commit to the remote repository.

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git push origin feature-branch

Reverting a commit in a branch can be helpful if a feature branch introduces a bug or unwanted change that needs to be undone. This process ensures that the rest of the project remains unaffected while reverting the problematic commit.

Reverting a Commit in a Shared Repository

When working in a shared repository with other collaborators, reverting a commit can have a more significant impact on the workflow, especially if the commit has already been pushed. Since the Git revert command creates a new commit that undoes the changes, it will maintain the integrity of the history, allowing other collaborators to see what changes were made and why.

However, it is essential to communicate with your team when reverting commits in a shared repository to avoid confusion or conflicts. It is also a good practice to follow these steps:

1. Inform Your Team: Before reverting a commit, notify your team members of the changes. This will help prevent any confusion or duplicate efforts in resolving issues.

2. Revert the Commit Locally: Follow the standard process to revert the commit in your local repository using git revert <commit_hash>. Once the revert is complete and the conflicts (if any) are resolved, push the changes to the remote repository.

Push to the Shared Repository: Once the revert commit is made, push it to the shared repository.

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git push origin <branch_name>

2. Test the Changes: After the revert commit has been pushed, verify that the issue is resolved and that no new issues have been introduced. It is always a good idea to run tests or build the project to ensure everything is working as expected.

By following these practices, you can safely revert a commit in a shared repository without disrupting the workflow of other contributors. Reverting commits in a shared repository ensures that the history remains intact and all changes are properly documented.

Reverting a Commit in a Forked Repository

When working with a forked repository, the process of reverting a commit is almost identical to working with the original repository. However, there are a few additional considerations:

Fetch the Latest Changes: If your fork is out of sync with the original repository, you should first fetch the latest changes from the upstream repository to ensure that you are working with the most recent version of the project.

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git fetch upstream

Switch to Your Fork’s Branch: Make sure that you are working on the correct branch of your fork by checking out the appropriate branch.

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git checkout <branch_name>

Revert the Commit: Once you have identified the commit you want to revert, use the git revert command as usual.

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git revert <commit_hash>

Push Changes to Your Fork: After the revert commit has been created, push the changes to your fork.

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git push origin <branch_name>

2. Create a Pull Request: If the changes need to be reflected in the original repository, create a pull request to submit your changes for review. The maintainer of the original repository will review the pull request and, if it is accepted, the changes will be merged into the main repository.

Reverting commits in a forked repository can help maintain the integrity of your changes while allowing you to correct any mistakes or unwanted changes. If your fork becomes out of sync with the original repository, always ensure you are working with the latest version before making any changes.

Best Practices When Using Git Revert

While the git revert command is an excellent tool for undoing changes, it is essential to use it properly to avoid confusion and ensure a smooth workflow. Here are some best practices when using git revert:

1. Revert Immediately After Identifying Issues

When you notice an issue caused by a commit, it is essential to revert it immediately. The longer you wait to revert the commit, the more difficult it becomes to resolve conflicts, as other changes may have been introduced after the faulty commit. Reverting a commit early prevents the issue from compounding and ensures that the codebase remains stable.

2. Always Use Git Revert for Shared Repositories

When working in a shared repository, always use git revert rather than git reset. Reverting a commit creates a new commit that undoes the changes, which maintains the project history. In contrast, using git reset can rewrite history and cause conflicts for other collaborators. For this reason, git revert is the safer option when working in a team environment.

3. Check for Conflicts Before Reverting

Before reverting a commit, use git diff to examine the changes that were introduced by the commit. This will help you identify any potential conflicts or issues that may arise during the revert process. By understanding the changes introduced by the commit, you can better prepare to handle any conflicts that may occur.

4. Document the Reason for the Revert

When using git revert, always take the time to document why the commit is being reverted. The default commit message generated by Git includes the original commit hash, but you can modify the message to provide additional context. This makes it easier for collaborators to understand the reason for the revert and ensures that the project history remains transparent.

5. Test the Code After a Revert

After performing a revert, always run your tests or manually verify the stability of your project. Reverting a commit might fix one issue, but it could also introduce new issues or create new conflicts. Testing the code ensures that the revert was successful and that the project remains stable.

Advanced Scenarios and Troubleshooting with Git Revert

Reverting a Commit After a Merge

Merging is a common practice in Git, especially in collaborative environments where multiple branches are integrated into the main branch. However, there might be situations where you need to undo a merge commit due to issues or unintended changes. Reverting a merge commit requires special attention because Git needs to identify which parent of the merge should be considered the “mainline” parent.

When you revert a merge commit, Git needs to know how to handle the changes from both parents of the merge. If you’re unsure which parent is the mainline, you can use the -m option with git revert, which allows you to specify the parent number.

How to Revert a Merge Commit

To revert a merge commit, you must use the following syntax:

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git revert -m <parent_number> <merge_commit_hash>

 

Here, <parent_number> refers to the parent of the merge commit. The most common scenario is using -m1 to refer to the first parent (the branch you merged into), but you can use -mm2 for the second parent (the branch that was merged).

Example

Suppose you have the following merge commit:

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commit abcdef1

Merge: 1234567 89abcdef

Author: John Doe

Date:   Fri Apr 10 13:00:00 2025 +0530

    Merge branch ‘feature-branch’ into main

 

To revert this merge commit, use:

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git revert -m 1 abcdef1

 

This command will create a new commit that undoes the changes from the merge commit, effectively removing the changes introduced by the merged branch. Make sure to push the changes to the remote repository once the revert is complete.

Dealing with Merge Conflicts During a Revert

When you revert a merge commit, merge conflicts are more likely to occur, especially if the code introduced by the merge commit has conflicts with changes in the subsequent commits. Git will stop the revert process and alert you to resolve the conflicts manually.

To resolve conflicts during a merge revert:

1. View Conflicting Files: Use git status to identify which files conflict. These files will be marked as “unmerged.”

2. Manually Resolve Conflicts: Open the conflicting files and resolve the conflicts by selecting or editing the conflicting code. The conflicting changes will be marked with conflict markers (e.g., <<<<<<<, =======, and >>>>>>>).

3. Stage the Resolved Files: Once you’ve resolved the conflicts, stage the changes with git add.

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git add <conflicting_file>

 

1. Continue the Revert: After staging the resolved files, continue the revert process by running:

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git revert– continue

 

This will finalize the revert and create a new commit that undoes the merge changes.

1. Push the Changes: Once the revert commit is created, push it to the remote repository:

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git push origin <branch_name>

 

Resolving merge conflicts during a revert can be complex, but following these steps will help you undo a merge commit effectively while keeping the repository in a stable state.

Reverting Commits with Multiple Parents

In some cases, you may encounter commits that have more than two parents, such as a merge involving multiple branches. While rare, this situation can be handled similarly to a standard merge commit, though it requires understanding which parent you want to preserve.

When dealing with a commit that has multiple parents, you can specify the parent to revert to using the -m option, just as you would for a regular merge commit. However, it’s crucial to carefully review the commit history and the context of the merge to ensure that you’re selecting the correct parent.

To revert a multi-parent commit, use the same syntax:

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git revert -m <parent_number> <commit_hash>

 

You can determine the parent numbers by inspecting the commit history and understanding the context of the merge. In general, use the same approach to resolve conflicts and push the changes.

Reverting Specific Changes in a Commit

Sometimes, you may not need to revert an entire commit but only a specific change within that commit. Git offers tools to help with this, such as git checkout and git restore, which allow you to undo specific changes from a commit or modify the state of individual files.

Using Git Checkout to Undo Specific Changes

You can use the git checkout command to restore a particular file or directory from a previous commit. For example, if you want to revert a file to its state in the last commit, you can run:

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git checkout HEAD^ <file_path>

 

This command restores the file to its state in the previous commit (HEAD^), but it does not create a new commit. If you want to create a commit that undoes the change, you will need to stage and commit the changes after checking out the desired state.

Example

To revert a specific file to the previous version, run:

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git checkout HEAD^ path/to/file.txt

 

After that, you can stage the file:

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git add path/to/file.txt

 

And commit it:

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git commit -m “Revert changes to file.txt”

 

Using Git Restore to Undo Specific Changes

Starting with Git 2.23, the git restore command provides a simpler and more explicit way to undo specific changes. To restore a file to its state in the previous commit, use:

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git restore –source=HEAD^ <file_path>

 

This command will restore the file to the state it was in at the previous commit, similar to git checkout.

After restoring the file, you can commit the changes:

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git add <file_path>

git commit -m “Revert changes to <file_name>”

 

These methods give you finer control over what changes to undo, allowing you to revert specific files or even specific lines without reverting an entire commit.

Reverting a Commit That Was Pushed to a Remote Repository

When you need to revert a commit that has already been pushed to a remote repository, the process is the same as reverting a local commit. However, you must push the changes to the remote repository afterward to ensure that all collaborators have access to the revert commit.

Follow these steps:

1. Identify the Commit: Use git log to find the commit hash of the commit you want to revert.

2. Run the Revert Command: Use git revert <commit_hash> to create a new commit that undoes the changes of the specified commit.

3. Resolve Any Conflicts: If conflicts arise, Git will pause the revert process and prompt you to resolve them manually.

4. Push the Changes: After resolving any conflicts and completing the revert, push the new commit to the remote repository:

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git push origin <branch_name>

 

By pushing the revert commit to the remote repository, you ensure that all collaborators can see the changes and have access to the corrected codebase.

Best Practices for Using Git Revert in Collaborative Environments

Reverting a commit in a collaborative environment can be tricky, as it involves maintaining a stable codebase and ensuring that all contributors are on the same page. Here are some best practices when using git revert in a shared repository:

1. Communicate with Your Team

Before reverting a commit, it’s important to communicate with your team members, especially if the commit you want to revert has already been pushed to a shared branch. Informing your team allows them to avoid working on the same changes and helps prevent conflicts later.

2. Check for Related Changes

When reverting a commit, check if other changes depend on the commit you are reverting. If other commits rely on the reverted commit, reverting it might break functionality or introduce bugs. Review the commit history and any related pull requests to make sure the revert won’t have unintended side effects.

3. Test the Code After Reverting

Always test your code after performing a revert, especially in a shared repository. This helps ensure that the revert was successful and that no new issues have been introduced. Running tests or building the project after a revert will give you confidence that the code is still functional.

4. Use Pull Requests for Review

If you’re working in a team, consider using pull requests to review the revert commit before merging it into the main branch. This allows your team to review the changes and ensure that no issues arise from the revert.

Conclusion

Reverting commits in Git is a powerful way to undo changes while maintaining the integrity of the project’s history. By using the git revert command, you can safely backtrack and resolve issues in your codebase without affecting other contributors or the commit history.

Whether you’re reverting merge commits, undoing specific changes, or working in a collaborative environment, Git provides robust tools to handle these scenarios effectively. By following the best practices and troubleshooting techniques outlined in this guide, you can efficiently manage the history of your project and maintain a clean, stable codebase.