How to Undo git reset: A Quick Guide

Accidentally running git reset can be stressful, especially if you lose important changes. Fortunately, Git provides ways to recover from this. This guide explains how to undo git reset and restore your work.

Understanding git reset

git reset moves the HEAD pointer to a specific commit, affecting the working directory, staging area, and commit history depending on the mode used:

  • --soft: Only moves HEAD, leaving the staging area and working directory unchanged.
  • --mixed (default): Moves HEAD and resets the staging area, but leaves the working directory unchanged.
  • --hard: Moves HEAD, resets the staging area, and discards all changes in the working directory.

How to Undo git reset

1. Use git reflog to Find Lost Commits

The git reflog tracks all changes to the HEAD pointer, including resets. To recover lost commits:

  1. Run: 
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    git reflog
  2. Identify the commit hash before the reset.
  3. Reset back to that commit: 
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    git reset --hard <commit-hash>

2. Recover Uncommitted Changes

If you used git reset --hard and lost uncommitted changes:

  1. Check for dangling blobs (unreachable files) with: 
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    git fsck --cache --unreachable
  2. Inspect the output for lost files and restore them using: 
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    git show <blob-hash> > recovered-file.txt

3. Use git revert for Public Commits

If you reset a commit that was already pushed to a shared repository, use git revert to create a new commit that undoes the changes: 

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git revert <commit-hash>

Best Practices

  • Avoid --hard Unless Necessary: Use --soft or --mixed to preserve changes.
  • Commit Frequently: Regular commits reduce the risk of losing work.
  • Backup Important Changes: Stash or branch before risky operations.

Conclusion

Undoing git reset is possible with tools like git reflog and git fsck. By understanding how git reset works and following best practices, you can minimize data loss and recover effectively.

For more advanced Git tips, refer to the official Git documentation.