Git Rebase vs Merge: When to Use Each

Git rebase and merge are two ways to combine branch changes. Here’s what you need to know:

• Git merge: Keeps all commit history, creates non-linear timeline
• Git rebase: Rewrites commit history for a linear timeline

Quick comparison:

Feature	Git Merge	Git Rebase
History	Preserves	Rewrites
Timeline	Non-linear	Linear
Ease of use	Simpler	More complex
Best for	Public branches, big teams	Local branches, small teams

When to use each:

• Use merge for:

  • Public branches
  • Large team collaboration
  • Preserving full change context

• Use rebase for:

  • Local feature branches
  • Clean, linear history
  • When you’re OK rewriting history

Remember: Never rebase public branches. It’s a recipe for team headaches.

Stuck? Go with merge. It’s safer and easier to undo.

This article covers how rebase and merge work, when to use each, their pros and cons, and tips for using them effectively. We’ll also look at team strategies and common Git mistakes to avoid.

What is Git Rebase?

Git rebase is a tool that keeps your project history clean. It’s one of two main ways to combine changes from one branch to another in Git.

Definition of Git Rebase

Git rebase moves a series of commits to a new base commit. It’s like saying, “Let’s put my changes on top of what everyone else has done.”

Here’s what happens:

1. Git removes your current branch’s commits
2. It applies the new base commit
3. It replays your commits on top

This creates new commits for each original commit, rewriting your project history.

How Rebase Works

Let’s break it down:

1. You’re on your feature branch and run git rebase master
2. Git finds where your branch and master split
3. It saves your branch’s changes as temporary patches
4. Your branch is reset to match master
5. Git applies each patch one by one

If there are conflicts, Git pauses for you to fix them. After that, use git rebase --continue to keep going.

When to Use Rebase

Rebase is great for:

• Updating feature branches
• Cleaning up local commits
• Creating a linear project history

But remember: NEVER rebase commits you’ve pushed to a public repo. It’ll cause problems for your team.

“Don’t rebase branches you’ve shared with others. Rebase is for cleaning up local commits. Once commits are public, treat them as set in stone.” — Atlassian Git Tutorial

What is Git Merge?

Git merge combines changes from one branch into another. It’s how developers integrate work from different branches into the main codebase.

Definition of Git Merge

Git merge takes content from a source branch and integrates it with a target branch. It creates a new commit on the target branch that links the histories of both branches.

Unlike rebase, merging keeps the entire history of both branches. This makes tracking changes easier.

How Merge Works

Here’s how merge works:

1. Git finds the common ancestor commit of the two branches.
2. It compares changes between this point and the tips of both branches.
3. Git automatically combines non-conflicting changes.
4. A new commit is created with all the changes.

If there are conflicts, Git pauses and asks you to fix them manually.

When to Use Merge

Merge is great for:

• Adding completed features to the main branch
• Team collaboration
• Keeping a clear record of changes

“Merging is better for handling conflicts, as it presents them all at once, making it easier to manage.” - Git Documentation

Merge vs. Rebase:

Scenario	Merge	Rebase
Public branches	✓	✗
Preserving history	✓	✗
Linear history	✗	✓
Frequent integration	✓	✗

Rebase vs. Merge: Key Differences

Git rebase and merge both integrate changes from one branch to another. But they work differently.

Main Differences

1. History: Merge keeps original history. Rebase rewrites it.

2. Commit Structure: Merge adds a new commit. Rebase moves existing commits.

3. Workflow: Merge is safer for shared work. Rebase is better for personal branches.

Pros and Cons

Aspect	Git Merge	Git Rebase
History	Full	Linear
Traceability	Easy	Can be tricky
Collaboration	Good for teams	Good for solo work
Conflicts	All at once	One by one
Risk	Lower	Higher

Team Impact

Merge shines in team settings:

• Safe for public branches
• Great for group work
• Keeps accurate history

Rebase can clean up history but might complicate teamwork. Use it:

• On your own branches
• Before sharing your work
• To tidy up commits

“Rebase solo branches. Merge team branches.” - Git Best Practices Guide

Choose wisely based on your project needs and team setup.

5 Times to Use Git Rebase

Git rebase can clean up your commit history. Here’s when to use it:

When to Rebase

1. Updating feature branches

Your feature branch is behind main? Catch up with:

    git checkout feature-branch
    git rebase main

2. Cleaning local commits

Tidy up before pushing:

    git rebase -i HEAD~5

3. Integrating upstream changes

Working on a fork? Get updates from the original:

    git pull --rebase upstream main

4. Squashing commits

Turn small commits into one big one:

    git rebase -i HEAD~3

5. Reordering commits

Make your commits logical before merging:

    git rebase -i HEAD~5

Rebase Safely

• Rebase BEFORE pushing to shared repos
• Use git push --force-with-lease instead of git push -f
• Talk to your team when rebasing shared branches
• Keep rebases small and frequent

Rebase Risks and Fixes

Risk	Fix
Lost commits	Use git reflog to get them back
Conflicts	Solve one by one with git rebase --continue
Duplicate commits	Check git log before and after rebasing
Broken builds	Run tests after rebasing

5 Times to Use Git Merge

Git merge is your go-to for combining work from different branches. Here’s when to use it:

1. Finishing a feature

Your feature’s ready? Bring it home:

    git checkout main
    git merge feature-branch

This pulls your work into main, keeping the full history.

2. Getting team updates

Sync with your colleagues:

    git checkout your-branch
    git merge origin/main

3. Prepping for release

Combine features for release:

    git checkout release-1.0
    git merge feature-a feature-b feature-c

4. Fixing urgent issues

Quick fixes for production:

    git checkout main
    git merge hotfix-branch

5. Keeping long-term branches in sync

Align parallel development:

    git checkout experimental
    git merge main

Merge Like a Pro

• Pull latest changes first
• Use --no-ff for a merge commit
• Write clear merge messages
• Review before finalizing

Dealing with Merge Conflicts

When Git can’t auto-merge:

1. Open conflicting files
2. Find conflict markers
3. Fix conflicts
4. Stage fixed files
5. Commit the merge

For tricky conflicts, try:

    git mergetool

This visual tool can make your life easier.

sbb-itb-607722c

Team Size and Git Strategy

Your team size affects your Git strategy. Let’s look at how.

Small vs. Large Teams

Small teams (2-6 devs) often do this:

• New branch for each task
• Rebase to stay current with main
• Merge only into main via pull requests

This keeps history clean and easy to follow.

Larger teams usually prefer merging:

• Multiple devs on parallel features
• Less risky than rebasing
• Easier to track feature progress

Atlassian’s Stash team, for example, only merges. They use pull requests for all features, ensuring quality and review.

Team Git Rules

Clear Git rules help everyone stay on the same page. Consider these:

1. Branch names

Use ticket numbers and brief descriptions:

    feature/TICKET-123-add-login-page
    bugfix/TICKET-456-fix-memory-leak

2. Commit messages

Stick to a format:

    [TICKET-123] Add login page

    - Implement user auth
    - Create login form UI
    - Add error handling

3. Code reviews

Set clear review rules:

• At least one approval to merge
• Max review time (e.g., 24 hours)
• Auto-checks for style and tests

4. Merge vs. Rebase

Choose a team policy:

Policy	Best For	Notes
Merge-only	Big teams, complex projects	Keeps full history, easier conflicts
Rebase-then-merge	Small teams, clean history	Needs Git expertise
Hybrid	Mid-size teams	Rebase small changes, merge big features

5. Branch lifecycle

Set branch rules:

• Delete feature branches after merging
• Clean up old branches (e.g., 30+ days)

Advanced Git Techniques

Git’s got some cool tricks up its sleeve. Let’s dive into a few that’ll make you a Git wizard.

Interactive Rebase: Your Commit Time Machine

Ever wish you could rewrite history? With interactive rebase, you can:

    git rebase -i HEAD~3

This opens a playground where you can shuffle commits, fix typos, or even make commits disappear. It’s like editing a movie before it hits theaters.

“Interactive rebase is like having a time machine for your commits.” - Git Guru

Cherry-Pick: Plucking the Best Commits

Cherry-picking is like being a code DJ. You can grab the best bits from one branch and drop them into another:

    git cherry-pick <commit-hash>

It’s perfect for when you need that one bug fix, but don’t want the whole branch.

The Rebase-Merge Tango

Want a clean, straight line in your Git history? Try this dance:

1. Rebase your feature branch onto main
2. Merge it back

It’s like ironing your clothes before putting them on. Everything looks neat and tidy.

Technique	Use Case	Why It’s Awesome
Interactive Rebase	Pre-sharing cleanup	Makes your history look pro
Cherry-Pick	Selective changes	Grabs just what you need
Rebase + Merge	Feature integration	Keeps things linear and clean

These techniques aren’t just fancy tricks. They’re power tools for keeping your codebase manageable. Use them wisely, and your future self will thank you.

Common Git Mistakes to Avoid

Git’s powerful, but it’s easy to mess up. Here are some pitfalls and how to dodge them:

Don’t Rebase Public Branches

Rebasing shared branches? Bad idea. Here’s why:

• Rewrites history, confusing your team
• Can create duplicate commits
• Breaks the “don’t change shared history” rule

Stick to merging for public branches. Save rebases for your local work.

Handling Tough Merge Conflicts

Merge conflicts happen. Deal with them like this:

• Break them into smaller parts
• Use visual diff tools
• Talk to your team about complex merges

“For tough merges, step back and plan. Smaller chunks are easier to handle”, says Git creator Linus Torvalds.

Keeping Long Branches Updated

Long feature branches can drift from main. To prevent this:

• Pull from main often
• Use feature flags for long-term work
• Split big features into smaller, mergeable pieces

Mistake	Result	Fix
Rebasing public branches	Confusion, conflicts	Merge instead
Ignoring conflicts	Broken code, lost work	Address promptly
Stale branches	Hard merges later	Update from main regularly

Conclusion

Git rebase and merge are two ways to combine branch changes. Here’s what you need to know:

Git merge keeps all commit history, creating a non-linear timeline. It’s easier but can clutter history.

Git rebase rewrites commit history for a linear timeline. It’s cleaner but needs careful use.

Feature	Git Merge	Git Rebase
History	Keeps all commits	Rewrites history
Timeline	Non-linear	Linear
Ease of use	Simpler	More complex
Best for	Public branches, big teams	Local branches, small teams

Picking Your Git Strategy

Choose based on your project:

Use merge for:

• Public branches
• Large team collaboration
• Preserving full change context

Use rebase for:

• Local feature branches
• Clean, linear history
• When you’re OK rewriting history

You can mix both. Try rebase for local work and merge for main branch integration.

“Commit to the main branch often to avoid long-lived branch headaches.”

This DevOps advice shows a shift: moving from complex workflows like Gitflow to simpler, trunk-based development.

Learn More About Git

Want to master Git, especially rebasing and merging? Here’s where to start:

Official Git Resources

Git’s got your back with free, in-depth learning materials:

• Git Docs: Detailed command explanations
• Pro Git Book: Free online book covering everything Git

See Git in Action

These tools make Git concepts crystal clear:

Tool	What It Does	Perfect For
Oh My Git	Git as a game	Newbies
Learn Git Branching	Interactive commit tree	Branching pros
Explain Git with D3	CLI with instant graphs	Command explorers
GitKraken	GUI with clear history	Students (free plan)
GitUp	Free, open-source GUI	Mac fans

Want hands-on practice? Try Git Gud or Git School. Run commands, see results.

Level Up Your Skills

Check out these courses:

1. Google’s “Intro to Git and GitHub” (16 hours, free audit)
2. Udacity’s “Version Control with Git” (9 hours)
3. University of Manchester’s “Collaborative Coding with Git” (12 hours)

FAQs

When to use git rebase instead of merge?

Git rebase and merge serve different purposes. Here’s a quick guide:

Scenario	Use	Why
Private branch	Rebase	Cleaner history
Shared branch	Merge	Keeps original commits
Full history needed	Merge	All commits intact
Simplify graph	Rebase	Less complex

Don’t rebase public branches. It’s a recipe for team headaches.

Stuck? Go with merge. It’s safer and easier to undo.

For trickier situations:

1. Updating feature branches

Rebase to sync with main. Fewer conflicts later.

2. Pre-merge cleanup

Rebase to tidy up commits before merging to main.

3. Handling conflicts

Merge: One-time conflict resolution. Rebase: Might need fixes for each commit.