Git stash apply version
What does git stash apply do, and how can you use different stash versions effectively? This command helps you reapply saved changes from your stash stack, letting you manage multiple stashes and restore the exact version you need.
The git stash apply command is used to reapply changes that you previously saved using git stash. When you stash changes, Git temporarily stores your modifications in a stack-like structure, allowing you to switch branches or work on something else without losing progress. Later, you can bring those changes back using git stash apply.
By default, git stash apply applies the most recent stash (stash@{0}). However, if you’ve created multiple stashes, you can specify which version to apply by referencing its index, such as git stash apply stash@{2}. This makes it flexible when juggling multiple unfinished tasks.
Here are some key points to understand:
- Default behavior: Running git stash apply without arguments applies the latest stash.
- Specific version: Use git stash list to see all stashed changes, then apply a particular one with its reference (e.g., git stash apply stash@{1}).
- Stash not deleted: Unlike git stash pop, applying a stash doesn’t remove it from the stash list — it stays saved until you explicitly drop it.
- Conflict handling: Just like merges, applying a stash can lead to conflicts if the working directory has changed significantly. You’ll need to resolve these manually.
- Use cases: Helpful when working on multiple tasks, pausing experiments, or switching branches without losing work.
In short, git stash apply is a reliable way to bring back saved changes without losing them from the stash stack. If you just want to move changes back and also remove the stash, then git stash pop is the better option.