Reverting to a Previous Commit- A Step-by-Step Guide to Rolling Back Your Master Branch

How to revert master branch to a previous commit is a common issue faced by many Git users. Whether you made a mistake in your latest commit or simply want to undo changes, reverting to a previous commit can be a lifesaver. In this article, we will guide you through the process of reverting your master branch to a previous commit using Git commands.

Before you begin, it is essential to ensure that you have a backup of your repository. This is crucial to prevent any accidental loss of data. You can create a backup by cloning your repository to a new directory:

“`bash
git clone /path/to/your/repository
“`

Once you have a backup, you can proceed with the following steps to revert your master branch to a previous commit:

1. Identify the commit hash of the commit you want to revert to. You can do this by using the `git log` command:

“`bash
git log
“`

This command will display a list of commits, with their commit hashes. Look for the commit hash of the commit you want to revert to.

2. Create a new branch from the commit hash. This ensures that you do not disrupt the current state of your master branch:

“`bash
git checkout -b revert-branch
“`

Replace `` with the actual commit hash you identified in the previous step.

3. Switch back to your master branch:

“`bash
git checkout master
“`

4. Delete the branch you created in step 2:

“`bash
git branch -d revert-branch
“`

5. Reset your master branch to the desired commit:

“`bash
git reset –hard
“`

Replace `` with the actual commit hash you want to revert to.

6. Commit the changes to finalize the revert:

“`bash
git commit -m “Revert to previous commit”
“`

Now, your master branch has been successfully reverted to the previous commit. You can continue working on your project without the unwanted changes.

Remember, it is always a good practice to create a backup before performing any destructive operations like reverting to a previous commit. This ensures that you can recover your data in case something goes wrong.

By following these steps, you can easily revert your master branch to a previous commit using Git commands. Happy coding!