Git delete commits and reset code base to a specific commit

The following git steps will reset a code base to a specific commit, deleting all commits made since.

This is not considered git-best-practice as it “rewrites history” by deleting old commits and this can cause issues for collaborators who have pulled the commits you are deleting.

Knowing that, only apply this technique if you are sure that deleting commits is the outcome you want and understand the risks.

Command summary

> git log --oneline
> git reset --hard <commit_hash>
> git push --force

Commands with explanations

See git history to get hash of the commit you want to revert to:

> git log --oneline

Reset to the hash of the commit you want to revert to:

> git reset --hard <commit_hash>

The above command:

• Resets the working directory, staging area, and commit history.
• Discards all changes in the working directory and staging area.
• Moves the branch pointer and HEAD to the specified commit, making it as if the specified commit is the latest commit.
• Irreversibly removes any commits and changes made after the specified commit.

Push the reset:

> git push --force

The above command:

• Pushes local changes to a remote repository
• Uses the --force flag, which does the push while ignoring checks that prevent overwriting commits on the remote repository