How do I properly force a Git push?

Properly force pushing in Git typically involves using the --force or --force-with-lease option with the git push command. However, exercise caution when using this method, as it may overwrite the remote repository's commit history, potentially losing work done by other team members.

Below are some guidelines for safely using force pushes in different scenarios:

Using --force for Force Pushing

When you are certain that you want to overwrite the commit history of the remote branch, you can use the --force option:

bash
 git push --force origin my-branch

This will replace the remote branch with your branch, disregarding its current state.

Use Cases:

1. Local History Reorganization: If you have reorganized your local commit history (e.g., via rebase) and you are the sole contributor to the branch or have coordinated with the team.
2. Reverting Incorrect Commits: If you have recently pushed an incorrect commit to the remote repository and are sure no one else has built upon it.

Using --force-with-lease for Safe Force Pushing

To avoid overwriting work that other team members may have pushed to the remote repository, you can use the --force-with-lease option. This option checks the current state of the remote branch before force pushing, and only proceeds if your local version is based on the latest state of the remote branch.

bash
 git push --force-with-lease origin my-branch

Use Cases:

1. Collaborative Force Pushing: If you are working on a shared branch and need to force push, but want to ensure you don't overwrite others' commits.
2. Enhanced Safety for Force Pushing: As a best practice, even if you believe there are no conflicts, using --force-with-lease is safer than directly using --force.

Best Practices

• Communicate with your team before any force push, especially in collaborative projects.
• Ensure your local branch is up-to-date before force pushing, which can be done by fetching the latest remote state with git fetch and comparing.
• Avoid force pushing on shared branches, especially on main or develop branches.
• Establish team rules, such as prohibiting force pushes during code reviews.
• Use --force-with-lease to provide a safety net, ensuring you don't accidentally overwrite others' work.

Example

Suppose you have rebased a feature branch locally, which you have pushed multiple times during development, but you are the sole contributor to this branch. In this case, you would perform the following steps:

1. Ensure your local branch is up-to-date:

bash
 git fetch
 git rebase origin/my-branch

1. Then safely force push:

bash
 git push --force-with-lease origin my-branch

If the remote branch has new commits (e.g., others have worked on it based on your previous push), --force-with-lease will fail. In this case, you need to confirm and possibly communicate with team members to determine the best way to integrate these changes.