Here is more advanced techniques for managing stacked branches that go beyond the manual rebase --onto dance.

The Next Generation of Rebase: git rebase --update-refs

This is arguably the most powerful, modern, and native Git solution for rebasing stacks. It was introduced in Git 2.38 (released in late 2022) and is designed specifically to solve the stacked branch problem without manual, repetitive rebase --onto commands.

Instead of rebasing one branch at a time, --update-refs allows you to move the entire stack in a single operation. Git understands the topological relationship between the branches and rebases them all, updating their relationships automatically.

In modern software development, a clean and logical Git history is not just a nicety; it’s a cornerstone of maintainability, efficient debugging, and team collaboration. While the GitLab Flow provides a simple and effective branching strategy, the real artistry lies in how we manage our feature branches before they merge. This is where git rebase transcends its basic usage and becomes a powerful tool for crafting a narrative history.

This article dives deep into advanced git rebase workflows, focusing on managing complex feature branches and stacked branches to elevate your team’s efficiency and codebase clarity.