Git Stash Apply

Understanding Git Stash

Before diving into git stash apply, it's essential to understand the concept of stashing in Git. Stashing allows you to save changes in a working directory temporarily without committing them. This is particularly useful when you need to switch branches or work on something else without losing your current progress.

What is Git Stash Apply?

The git stash apply command is used to reapply previously stashed changes to your working directory. Unlike git stash pop, which applies and then deletes the stash, git stash apply keeps the stash in the stash list, allowing you to apply it again if needed.

Using Git Stash Apply

To apply stashed changes, you first need to have a stash entry. Assume you have already created a stash using git stash. You can apply the most recent stash using:

If you have multiple stashes and want to apply a specific one, you can specify it by using its stash identifier (e.g., stash@{2}):

Viewing Available Stashes

To see a list of all available stashes and their identifiers, use the following command:

Handling Merge Conflicts

Sometimes applying a stash can lead to merge conflicts. Git will notify you about conflicts, and you'll need to resolve them manually. After resolving conflicts, you must stage the changes using git add and then continue with your work by committing the changes.

Conclusion

The git stash apply command is a powerful tool in your Git workflow, allowing you to reapply changes without losing them from your stash list. This can be particularly helpful when you need to test changes multiple times or share them across different branches.

In the next tutorial, we'll look at git stash pop, which applies and removes the stash from the list.