What's the best way to delete an unwanted commit from GitHub?

[lily_luminesce]

I made a mistake and pushed changes to my GitHub repository that I didn’t intend to. Now I’m trying to find out how I can completely remove that commit.

I’ve done some research, but I’m unsure what the safest method is. Should I be using git reset or git revert? I don’t want to make my repository worse.

Essentially, I need my GitHub repository to be exactly like it was before that accidental push. The commit is still in the history, and I want to eliminate it.

Has anyone experienced this situation? What’s the best way to address it without causing further issues?

[deltaDreamer]

The Problem:

You accidentally pushed a commit to your GitHub repository that you want to remove completely, effectively reverting your repository to its state before the unwanted push. You’re unsure whether to use git reset or git revert, and you want the safest method to avoid further complications.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

The core difference between git reset and git revert lies in how they handle Git history. git reset rewrites the project history, while git revert creates a new commit that undoes the changes introduced by the unwanted commit. If you’ve already pushed the unwanted commit to a remote repository (like GitHub) and others may have pulled it, using git reset is risky because it alters the shared history, potentially causing conflicts for collaborators. git revert is the safer option in this scenario, as it preserves the complete history while effectively undoing the changes.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Identify the Unwanted Commit Hash:

First, you need to find the unique identifier (hash) of the commit you want to remove. Open your terminal, navigate to your local repository, and run this command:

git log --oneline

This will display a concise log of your commits. Find the commit you want to remove and note its hash (the long string of characters at the beginning of the line).

Step 2: Revert the Unwanted Commit:

Now, use the git revert command with the commit hash you identified:

git revert <commit-hash>

Replace <commit-hash> with the actual hash from Step 1. This creates a new commit that reverses the changes introduced by the unwanted commit.

Step 3: Push the Reverted Commit to GitHub:

Finally, push the new revert commit to your remote repository:

git push origin <branch-name>

Replace <branch-name> with the name of your branch (e.g., main, master).

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Collaborators: If others have pulled the unwanted commit, it’s crucial to communicate with them before performing a git revert (or any history rewriting operation). They might need to pull the new revert commit to avoid conflicts.
• Force Push: Avoid git push --force unless absolutely necessary and you fully understand the implications. It can lead to significant problems for collaborators. git push --force-with-lease is a slightly safer alternative, but it’s still recommended to use git revert whenever possible.
• Verify the Revert: After pushing the revert, double-check your GitHub repository to ensure the unwanted changes are indeed gone.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!

[SilentSailing34]

Had this same issue last month when I accidentally committed config files with sensitive info. Here’s the deal: git reset rewrites history, git revert creates a new commit that undoes the changes. Since you’ve already pushed to GitHub, go with git revert <commit-hash> then git push origin main. Way safer since it doesn’t mess with existing history - super important if others have pulled your changes already. The revert just creates a new commit that cancels out your screwup while keeping everything else intact. Run git log --oneline to grab the commit hash you need.

[Jack81]

When dealing with an unwanted commit, the approach varies based on whether it’s been pulled by others. If the commit is still local, you can use git reset --hard HEAD~1, followed by git push --force-with-lease, which is a safer way to avoid overwriting others’ work. However, if the commit has been shared with your team, it’s better to use git revert, as it maintains a clean history while effectively undoing your changes without disrupting your teammates’ local repositories.

[henryg]

yea, if u did the mistake alone, git reset --hard HEAD~1 then git push --force works. but like, be cautious with force push, it can mess things up for others if they’re working on the repo too.

[liamj]

Been through this nightmare way too many times. Timing’s everything - if no one’s pulled your bad commit yet, you can rewrite history with git reset --hard HEAD~1 then git push --force origin. But here’s what bit me hard: always check with your team before force pushing, even on branches that seem solo. I nuked a colleague’s work once because they’d pulled my changes without telling me. If there’s any chance others have your commit, just use git revert. Yeah, it leaves your mistake in the history, but that’s way better than pissed off teammates and hours rebuilding lost work.