GitButler: A Modern Git Branch Management Tool
GitButler is a revolutionary tool designed to enhance git branch management, tailored specifically for today's workflows. Whether you're a developer working alone or part of a large team, GitButler provides a more flexible and efficient way to handle multiple branches and changes simultaneously.
Overview
At its core, GitButler allows users to work on several branches within a single working directory. This ability to multitask across branches is akin to having a more dynamic git add -p and git rebase -i, offering a streamlined process for organizing changes, pushing branches, and creating pull requests.
How It Works
GitButler manages uncommitted changes through a layer atop Git, grouping file changes into what are termed as virtual branches. These virtual branches can be independently pushed to a remote, ensuring the separation of state between different branches.
Virtual Branches vs. Git Branches
Traditional Git branches require a complete context switch when moving from one branch to another. With GitButler, you can operate multiple branches in parallel in the same environment, effectively having active access to the content of several branches simultaneously. This unique feature allows changes to be easily reassigned between virtual branches at any point in the development process.
The Need for GitButler
GitButler addresses the outdated user interface of Git that remained unchanged for over 15 years. Originally designed for Linux kernel developers, Git hasn't adapted well to contemporary developer workflows. GitButler bridges this gap by aligning with modern developer practices and mapping them back into Git, facilitating a more intuitive experience.
Technical Details
GitButler is created using Tauri for its application framework, with its user interface built in Svelte using TypeScript, and the backend developed in Rust.
Key Features
- Virtual Branches: Manage multiple branches without switching contexts.
- Commit Management: Easily undo, amend, or squash commits via drag-and-drop.
- Undo Timeline: A log of operations where any action can be reverted.
- GitHub Integration: Seamless pull request creation and branch management.
- SSH Key Management: Automatic SSH key generation for GitHub.
- AI Tooling: Generate commit messages and branch names with AI assistance.
- Commit Signing: Sign commits easily with GPG or SSH.
Use Cases
Fixing Bugs While Developing Features
A common scenario involves fixing a bug while working on a new feature. With GitButler, you can quickly assign bug fixes to a different virtual branch, allowing individual pushes or pull requests without disrupting your current development flow.
Testing Branches During Code Review
GitButler enables effortless testing of someone else's branch alongside your own work, without needing a full context switch. This is particularly beneficial for conducting code reviews.
Documentation and Support
Comprehensive documentation is available at GitButler Documentation. For bugs, feature requests, and community support, users can file issues or join the GitButler Discord server.
Contributing to GitButler
Developers interested in contributing to GitButler can refer to the CONTRIBUTING.md and DEVELOPMENT.md for guidelines and setup instructions.
With these tools and capabilities, GitButler transforms the way developers interact with Git, paving the way for streamlined, modern version control.