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[PATCH v7 4/4] checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branches

From
Harald Nordgren via GitGitGadget <gitgitgadget@gmail.com>
Date
Apr 9, 2026, 13:27 UTC
Message-ID
<1c29e1997132273d58831c470f581fc9ae53198a.1775741265.git.gitgitgadget@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To
<pull.2234.v7.git.git.1775741265.gitgitgadget@gmail.com>
From: Harald Nordgren <haraldnordgren@gmail.com>

When switching branches with "git checkout -m", local modifications can block the switch. Teach the -m flow to create a temporary stash before switching and reapply it after. On success, only "Applied autostash." is shown. If reapplying causes conflicts, the stash is kept and the user is told they can resolve and run "git stash drop", or run "git reset --hard" and later "git stash pop" to recover their changes.

Signed-off-by: Harald Nordgren <haraldnordgren@gmail.com>
---
 Documentation/git-checkout.adoc |  58 +++++-----
 Documentation/git-switch.adoc   |  27 ++---
 builtin/checkout.c              | 138 ++++++++++-------------
 builtin/stash.c                 |  30 ++++-
 sequencer.c                     |  18 ++-
 t/t3420-rebase-autostash.sh     |  24 +++-
 t/t7201-co.sh                   | 188 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 t/t7600-merge.sh                |   2 +-
 xdiff-interface.c               |  12 ++
 xdiff-interface.h               |   1 +
 10 files changed, 360 insertions(+), 138 deletions(-)
diff --git a/Documentation/git-checkout.adoc b/Documentation/git-checkout.adoc
index 43ccf47cf6..18022e610e 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-checkout.adoc
+++ b/Documentation/git-checkout.adoc
@@ -251,20 +251,19 @@ working tree, by copying them from elsewhere, extracting a tarball, etc.
 	are different between the current branch and the branch to
 	which you are switching, the command refuses to switch
 	branches in order to preserve your modifications in context.
-	However, with this option, a three-way merge between the current
-	branch, your working tree contents, and the new branch
-	is done, and you will be on the new branch.
-+
-When a merge conflict happens, the index entries for conflicting
-paths are left unmerged, and you need to resolve the conflicts
-and mark the resolved paths with `git add` (or `git rm` if the merge
-should result in deletion of the path).
+	With this option, the conflicting local changes are
+	automatically stashed before the switch and reapplied
+	afterwards.  If the local changes do not overlap with the
+	differences between branches, the switch proceeds without
+	stashing.  If reapplying the stash results in conflicts, the
+	entry is saved to the stash list.  Resolve the conflicts
+	and run `git stash drop` when done, or clear the working
+	tree (e.g. with `git reset --hard`) before running `git stash
+	pop` later to re-apply your changes.
 +
 When checking out paths from the index, this option lets you recreate
 the conflicted merge in the specified paths.  This option cannot be
 used when checking out paths from a tree-ish.
-+
-When switching branches with `--merge`, staged changes may be lost.
 
 `--conflict=<style>`::
 	The same as `--merge` option above, but changes the way the
@@ -578,39 +577,44 @@ $ git checkout mytopic
 error: You have local changes to 'frotz'; not switching branches.
 ------------
 
-You can give the `-m` flag to the command, which would try a
-three-way merge:
+You can give the `-m` flag to the command, which would carry your local
+changes to the new branch:
 
 ------------
 $ git checkout -m mytopic
-Auto-merging frotz
+Switched to branch 'mytopic'
 ------------
 
-After this three-way merge, the local modifications are _not_
+After the switch, the local modifications are reapplied and are _not_
 registered in your index file, so `git diff` would show you what
 changes you made since the tip of the new branch.
 
 === 3. Merge conflict
 
-When a merge conflict happens during switching branches with
-the `-m` option, you would see something like this:
+When the `--merge` (`-m`) option is in effect and the locally
+modified files overlap with files that need to be updated by the
+branch switch, the changes are stashed and reapplied after the
+switch.  If the stash application results in conflicts, they are not
+resolved and the stash is saved to the stash list:
 
 ------------
 $ git checkout -m mytopic
-Auto-merging frotz
-ERROR: Merge conflict in frotz
-fatal: merge program failed
-------------
+Your local changes are stashed, however, applying it to carry
+forward your local changes resulted in conflicts:
 
-At this point, `git diff` shows the changes cleanly merged as in
-the previous example, as well as the changes in the conflicted
-files.  Edit and resolve the conflict and mark it resolved with
-`git add` as usual:
+ - You can try resolving them now.  If you resolved them
+   successfully, discard the stash entry with "git stash drop".
 
+ - Alternatively you can "git reset --hard" if you do not want
+   to deal with them right now, and later "git stash pop" to
+   recover your local changes.
 ------------
-$ edit frotz
-$ git add frotz
-------------
+
+You can try resolving the conflicts now.  Edit the conflicting files
+and mark them resolved with `git add` as usual, then run `git stash
+drop` to discard the stash entry.  Alternatively, you can clear the
+working tree with `git reset --hard` and recover your local changes
+later with `git stash pop`.
 
 CONFIGURATION
 -------------
diff --git a/Documentation/git-switch.adoc b/Documentation/git-switch.adoc
index 87707e9265..3147023dc3 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-switch.adoc
+++ b/Documentation/git-switch.adoc
@@ -126,15 +126,16 @@ variable.
 	If you have local modifications to one or more files that are
 	different between the current branch and the branch to which
 	you are switching, the command refuses to switch branches in
-	order to preserve your modifications in context.  However,
-	with this option, a three-way merge between the current
-	branch, your working tree contents, and the new branch is
-	done, and you will be on the new branch.
-+
-When a merge conflict happens, the index entries for conflicting
-paths are left unmerged, and you need to resolve the conflicts
-and mark the resolved paths with `git add` (or `git rm` if the merge
-should result in deletion of the path).
+	order to preserve your modifications in context.  With this
+	option, the conflicting local changes are automatically
+	stashed before the switch and reapplied afterwards.  If the
+	local changes do not overlap with the differences between
+	branches, the switch proceeds without stashing.  If
+	reapplying the stash results in conflicts, the entry is
+	saved to the stash list.  Resolve the conflicts and run
+	`git stash drop` when done, or clear the working tree
+	(e.g. with `git reset --hard`) before running `git stash pop`
+	later to re-apply your changes.
 
 `--conflict=<style>`::
 	The same as `--merge` option above, but changes the way the
@@ -217,15 +218,15 @@ $ git switch mytopic
 error: You have local changes to 'frotz'; not switching branches.
 ------------
 
-You can give the `-m` flag to the command, which would try a three-way
-merge:
+You can give the `-m` flag to the command, which would carry your local
+changes to the new branch:
 
 ------------
 $ git switch -m mytopic
-Auto-merging frotz
+Switched to branch 'mytopic'
 ------------
 
-After this three-way merge, the local modifications are _not_
+After the switch, the local modifications are reapplied and are _not_
 registered in your index file, so `git diff` would show you what
 changes you made since the tip of the new branch.
 
diff --git a/builtin/checkout.c b/builtin/checkout.c
index e031e61886..283bec2518 100644
--- a/builtin/checkout.c
+++ b/builtin/checkout.c
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #include "merge-ll.h"
 #include "lockfile.h"
 #include "mem-pool.h"
-#include "merge-ort-wrappers.h"
 #include "object-file.h"
 #include "object-name.h"
 #include "odb.h"
@@ -30,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "repo-settings.h"
 #include "resolve-undo.h"
 #include "revision.h"
+#include "sequencer.h"
 #include "setup.h"
 #include "submodule.h"
 #include "symlinks.h"
@@ -783,8 +783,10 @@ static int merge_working_tree(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 	struct tree *new_tree;
 
 	repo_hold_locked_index(the_repository, &lock_file, LOCK_DIE_ON_ERROR);
-	if (repo_read_index_preload(the_repository, NULL, 0) < 0)
+	if (repo_read_index_preload(the_repository, NULL, 0) < 0) {
+		rollback_lock_file(&lock_file);
 		return error(_("index file corrupt"));
+	}
 
 	resolve_undo_clear_index(the_repository->index);
 	if (opts->new_orphan_branch && opts->orphan_from_empty_tree) {
@@ -797,14 +799,18 @@ static int merge_working_tree(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 	} else {
 		new_tree = repo_get_commit_tree(the_repository,
 						new_branch_info->commit);
-		if (!new_tree)
+		if (!new_tree) {
+			rollback_lock_file(&lock_file);
 			return error(_("unable to read tree (%s)"),
 				     oid_to_hex(&new_branch_info->commit->object.oid));
+		}
 	}
 	if (opts->discard_changes) {
 		ret = reset_tree(new_tree, opts, 1, writeout_error, new_branch_info);
-		if (ret)
+		if (ret) {
+			rollback_lock_file(&lock_file);
 			return ret;
+		}
 	} else {
 		struct tree_desc trees[2];
 		struct tree *tree;
@@ -814,6 +820,7 @@ static int merge_working_tree(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 		refresh_index(the_repository->index, REFRESH_QUIET, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 
 		if (unmerged_index(the_repository->index)) {
+			rollback_lock_file(&lock_file);
 			error(_("you need to resolve your current index first"));
 			return 1;
 		}
@@ -846,82 +853,8 @@ static int merge_working_tree(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 		ret = unpack_trees(2, trees, &topts);
 		clear_unpack_trees_porcelain(&topts);
 		if (ret == -1) {
-			/*
-			 * Unpack couldn't do a trivial merge; either
-			 * give up or do a real merge, depending on
-			 * whether the merge flag was used.
-			 */
-			struct tree *work;
-			struct tree *old_tree;
-			struct merge_options o;
-			struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
-			struct strbuf old_commit_shortname = STRBUF_INIT;
-
-			if (!opts->merge)
-				return 1;
-
-			/*
-			 * Without old_branch_info->commit, the below is the same as
-			 * the two-tree unpack we already tried and failed.
-			 */
-			if (!old_branch_info->commit)
-				return 1;
-			old_tree = repo_get_commit_tree(the_repository,
-							old_branch_info->commit);
-
-			if (repo_index_has_changes(the_repository, old_tree, &sb))
-				die(_("cannot continue with staged changes in "
-				      "the following files:\n%s"), sb.buf);
-			strbuf_release(&sb);
-
-			/* Do more real merge */
-
-			/*
-			 * We update the index fully, then write the
-			 * tree from the index, then merge the new
-			 * branch with the current tree, with the old
-			 * branch as the base. Then we reset the index
-			 * (but not the working tree) to the new
-			 * branch, leaving the working tree as the
-			 * merged version, but skipping unmerged
-			 * entries in the index.
-			 */
-
-			add_files_to_cache(the_repository, NULL, NULL, NULL, 0,
-					0, 0);
-			init_ui_merge_options(&o, the_repository);
-			o.verbosity = 0;
-			work = write_in_core_index_as_tree(the_repository,
-							   the_repository->index);
-
-			ret = reset_tree(new_tree,
-					 opts, 1,
-					 writeout_error, new_branch_info);
-			if (ret)
-				return ret;
-			o.ancestor = old_branch_info->name;
-			if (!old_branch_info->name) {
-				strbuf_add_unique_abbrev(&old_commit_shortname,
-							 &old_branch_info->commit->object.oid,
-							 DEFAULT_ABBREV);
-				o.ancestor = old_commit_shortname.buf;
-			}
-			o.branch1 = new_branch_info->name;
-			o.branch2 = "local";
-			o.conflict_style = opts->conflict_style;
-			ret = merge_ort_nonrecursive(&o,
-						     new_tree,
-						     work,
-						     old_tree);
-			if (ret < 0)
-				die(NULL);
-			ret = reset_tree(new_tree,
-					 opts, 0,
-					 writeout_error, new_branch_info);
-			strbuf_release(&o.obuf);
-			strbuf_release(&old_commit_shortname);
-			if (ret)
-				return ret;
+			rollback_lock_file(&lock_file);
+			return 1;
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1166,6 +1099,9 @@ static int switch_branches(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 	struct object_id rev;
 	int flag, writeout_error = 0;
 	int do_merge = 1;
+	int created_autostash = 0;
+	struct strbuf old_commit_shortname = STRBUF_INIT;
+	const char *stash_label_ancestor = NULL;
 
 	trace2_cmd_mode("branch");
 
@@ -1203,10 +1139,31 @@ static int switch_branches(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 			do_merge = 0;
 	}
 
+	if (old_branch_info.name)
+		stash_label_ancestor = old_branch_info.name;
+	else if (old_branch_info.commit) {
+		strbuf_add_unique_abbrev(&old_commit_shortname,
+					 &old_branch_info.commit->object.oid,
+					 DEFAULT_ABBREV);
+		stash_label_ancestor = old_commit_shortname.buf;
+	}
+
 	if (do_merge) {
 		ret = merge_working_tree(opts, &old_branch_info, new_branch_info, &writeout_error);
+		if (ret && opts->merge) {
+			create_autostash_ref_silent(the_repository,
+						   "CHECKOUT_AUTOSTASH");
+			created_autostash = 1;
+			ret = merge_working_tree(opts, &old_branch_info, new_branch_info, &writeout_error);
+		}
 		if (ret) {
+			apply_autostash_ref_with_labels(the_repository,
+						       "CHECKOUT_AUTOSTASH",
+						       new_branch_info->name,
+						       "local",
+						       stash_label_ancestor);
 			branch_info_release(&old_branch_info);
+			strbuf_release(&old_commit_shortname);
 			return ret;
 		}
 	}
@@ -1216,8 +1173,29 @@ static int switch_branches(const struct checkout_opts *opts,
 
 	update_refs_for_switch(opts, &old_branch_info, new_branch_info);
 
+	if (opts->conflict_style >= 0) {
+		struct strbuf cfg = STRBUF_INIT;
+		strbuf_addf(&cfg, "merge.conflictStyle=%s",
+			    conflict_style_name(opts->conflict_style));
+		git_config_push_parameter(cfg.buf);
+		strbuf_release(&cfg);
+	}
+	apply_autostash_ref_with_labels(the_repository, "CHECKOUT_AUTOSTASH",
+				       new_branch_info->name, "local",
+				       stash_label_ancestor);
+
+	discard_index(the_repository->index);
+	if (repo_read_index(the_repository) < 0)
+		die(_("index file corrupt"));
+
+	if (created_autostash && !opts->discard_changes && !opts->quiet &&
+	    new_branch_info->commit)
+		show_local_changes(&new_branch_info->commit->object,
+				   &opts->diff_options);
+
 	ret = post_checkout_hook(old_branch_info.commit, new_branch_info->commit, 1);
 	branch_info_release(&old_branch_info);
+	strbuf_release(&old_commit_shortname);
 
 	return ret || writeout_error;
 }
diff --git a/builtin/stash.c b/builtin/stash.c
index 54bcb6ac73..4c8e8ab59a 100644
--- a/builtin/stash.c
+++ b/builtin/stash.c
@@ -590,8 +590,11 @@ static void unstage_changes_unless_new(struct object_id *orig_tree)
 		die(_("could not write index"));
 }
 
-static int do_apply_stash(const char *prefix, struct stash_info *info,
-			  int index, int quiet)
+static int do_apply_stash_with_labels(const char *prefix,
+				      struct stash_info *info,
+				      int index, int quiet,
+				      const char *label1, const char *label2,
+				      const char *label_ancestor)
 {
 	int clean, ret;
 	int has_index = index;
@@ -643,9 +646,9 @@ static int do_apply_stash(const char *prefix, struct stash_info *info,
 
 	init_ui_merge_options(&o, the_repository);
 
-	o.branch1 = "Updated upstream";
-	o.branch2 = "Stashed changes";
-	o.ancestor = "Stash base";
+	o.branch1 = label1 ? label1 : "Updated upstream";
+	o.branch2 = label2 ? label2 : "Stashed changes";
+	o.ancestor = label_ancestor ? label_ancestor : "Stash base";
 
 	if (oideq(&info->b_tree, &c_tree))
 		o.branch1 = "Version stash was based on";
@@ -717,17 +720,31 @@ restore_untracked:
 	return ret;
 }
 
+static int do_apply_stash(const char *prefix, struct stash_info *info,
+			  int index, int quiet)
+{
+	return do_apply_stash_with_labels(prefix, info, index, quiet,
+					  NULL, NULL, NULL);
+}
+
 static int apply_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 		       struct repository *repo UNUSED)
 {
 	int ret = -1;
 	int quiet = 0;
 	int index = use_index;
+	const char *label1 = NULL, *label2 = NULL, *label_ancestor = NULL;
 	struct stash_info info = STASH_INFO_INIT;
 	struct option options[] = {
 		OPT__QUIET(&quiet, N_("be quiet, only report errors")),
 		OPT_BOOL(0, "index", &index,
 			 N_("attempt to recreate the index")),
+		OPT_STRING(0, "ours-label", &label1, N_("label"),
+			   N_("label for the upstream side in conflict markers")),
+		OPT_STRING(0, "theirs-label", &label2, N_("label"),
+			   N_("label for the stashed side in conflict markers")),
+		OPT_STRING(0, "base-label", &label_ancestor, N_("label"),
+			   N_("label for the base in diff3 conflict markers")),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
@@ -737,7 +754,8 @@ static int apply_stash(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 	if (get_stash_info(&info, argc, argv))
 		goto cleanup;
 
-	ret = do_apply_stash(prefix, &info, index, quiet);
+	ret = do_apply_stash_with_labels(prefix, &info, index, quiet,
+					 label1, label2, label_ancestor);
 cleanup:
 	free_stash_info(&info);
 	return ret;
diff --git a/sequencer.c b/sequencer.c
index 79dceab579..421850f815 100644
--- a/sequencer.c
+++ b/sequencer.c
@@ -4766,15 +4766,23 @@ static int apply_save_autostash_oid(const char *stash_oid, int attempt_apply,
 		strvec_push(&store.args, stash_oid);
 		if (run_command(&store))
 			ret = error(_("cannot store %s"), stash_oid);
+		else if (attempt_apply)
+			fprintf(stderr,
+				_("Your local changes are stashed, however, applying it to carry\n"
+				  "forward your local changes resulted in conflicts:\n"
+				  "\n"
+				  " - You can try resolving them now.  If you resolved them\n"
+				  "   successfully, discard the stash entry with \"git stash drop\".\n"
+				  "\n"
+				  " - Alternatively you can \"git reset --hard\" if you do not want\n"
+				  "   to deal with them right now, and later \"git stash pop\" to\n"
+				  "   recover your local changes.\n"));
 		else
 			fprintf(stderr,
-				_("%s\n"
+				_("Autostash exists; creating a new stash entry.\n"
 				  "Your changes are safe in the stash.\n"
 				  "You can run \"git stash pop\" or"
-				  " \"git stash drop\" at any time.\n"),
-				attempt_apply ?
-				_("Applying autostash resulted in conflicts.") :
-				_("Autostash exists; creating a new stash entry."));
+				  " \"git stash drop\" at any time.\n"));
 	}
 
 	return ret;
diff --git a/t/t3420-rebase-autostash.sh b/t/t3420-rebase-autostash.sh
index ad3ba6a984..e4e2cb19ce 100755
--- a/t/t3420-rebase-autostash.sh
+++ b/t/t3420-rebase-autostash.sh
@@ -61,18 +61,30 @@ create_expected_failure_apply () {
 	First, rewinding head to replay your work on top of it...
 	Applying: second commit
 	Applying: third commit
-	Applying autostash resulted in conflicts.
-	Your changes are safe in the stash.
-	You can run "git stash pop" or "git stash drop" at any time.
+	Your local changes are stashed, however, applying it to carry
+	forward your local changes resulted in conflicts:
+
+	 - You can try resolving them now.  If you resolved them
+	   successfully, discard the stash entry with "git stash drop".
+
+	 - Alternatively you can "git reset --hard" if you do not want
+	   to deal with them right now, and later "git stash pop" to
+	   recover your local changes.
 	EOF
 }
 
 create_expected_failure_merge () {
 	cat >expected <<-EOF
 	$(grep "^Created autostash: [0-9a-f][0-9a-f]*\$" actual)
-	Applying autostash resulted in conflicts.
-	Your changes are safe in the stash.
-	You can run "git stash pop" or "git stash drop" at any time.
+	Your local changes are stashed, however, applying it to carry
+	forward your local changes resulted in conflicts:
+
+	 - You can try resolving them now.  If you resolved them
+	   successfully, discard the stash entry with "git stash drop".
+
+	 - Alternatively you can "git reset --hard" if you do not want
+	   to deal with them right now, and later "git stash pop" to
+	   recover your local changes.
 	Successfully rebased and updated refs/heads/rebased-feature-branch.
 	EOF
 }
diff --git a/t/t7201-co.sh b/t/t7201-co.sh
index 9bcf7c0b40..857a5a6bd1 100755
--- a/t/t7201-co.sh
+++ b/t/t7201-co.sh
@@ -210,6 +210,194 @@ test_expect_success 'checkout --merge --conflict=diff3 <branch>' '
 	test_cmp expect two
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'checkout --merge --conflict=zdiff3 <branch>' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git reset --hard &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill a b X d e >two &&
+	git checkout --merge --conflict=zdiff3 simple &&
+
+	cat <<-EOF >expect &&
+	a
+	<<<<<<< simple
+	c
+	||||||| main
+	b
+	c
+	d
+	=======
+	b
+	X
+	d
+	>>>>>>> local
+	e
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect two
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m respects merge.conflictStyle config' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git reset --hard &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	test_config merge.conflictStyle diff3 &&
+	fill b d >two &&
+	git checkout -m simple &&
+
+	cat <<-EOF >expect &&
+	<<<<<<< simple
+	a
+	c
+	e
+	||||||| main
+	a
+	b
+	c
+	d
+	e
+	=======
+	b
+	d
+	>>>>>>> local
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect two
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m skips stash when no conflict' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 0 x y z >same &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	fill 0 x y z >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect same
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m skips stash with non-conflicting dirty index' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 0 x y z >same &&
+	git add same &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	fill 0 x y z >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect same
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m stashes and applies on conflicting changes' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >one &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	test_grep "Applied autostash" actual &&
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect one
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m with mixed staged and unstaged changes' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 0 x y z >same &&
+	git add same &&
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >one &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	test_grep "Applied autostash" actual &&
+	fill 0 x y z >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect same &&
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect one
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m stashes on truly conflicting changes' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 >one &&
+	test_must_fail git checkout side 2>stderr &&
+	test_grep "Your local changes" stderr &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	test_grep "resulted in conflicts" actual &&
+	test_grep "git stash drop" actual &&
+	git stash drop &&
+	git reset --hard
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m produces usable stash on conflict' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 >one &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep "recover your local changes" actual &&
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git stash pop &&
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect one
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m stashes on staged conflicting changes' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 1 2 3 4 5 >one &&
+	git add one &&
+	git checkout -m side >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	test_grep "resulted in conflicts" actual &&
+	test_grep "git stash drop" actual &&
+	git stash drop &&
+	git reset --hard
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m applies stash cleanly with non-overlapping changes in same file' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git reset --hard &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	git checkout -b nonoverlap_base &&
+	fill a b c d >file &&
+	git add file &&
+	git commit -m "add file" &&
+
+	git checkout -b nonoverlap_child &&
+	fill a b c INSERTED d >file &&
+	git commit -a -m "insert line near end of file" &&
+
+	fill DIRTY a b c INSERTED d >file &&
+
+	git checkout -m nonoverlap_base 2>stderr &&
+	test_grep "Applied autostash" stderr &&
+	test_grep ! "resulted in conflicts" stderr &&
+
+	fill DIRTY a b c d >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect file &&
+
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git branch -D nonoverlap_base &&
+	git branch -D nonoverlap_child
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'checkout -m -b skips stash with dirty tree' '
+	git checkout -f main &&
+	git clean -f &&
+
+	fill 0 x y z >same &&
+	git checkout -m -b newbranch >actual 2>&1 &&
+	test_grep ! "Created autostash" actual &&
+	fill 0 x y z >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect same &&
+	git checkout main &&
+	git branch -D newbranch
+'
+
 test_expect_success 'switch to another branch while carrying a deletion' '
 	git checkout -f main &&
 	git reset --hard &&
diff --git a/t/t7600-merge.sh b/t/t7600-merge.sh
index 9838094b66..cbef8a534e 100755
--- a/t/t7600-merge.sh
+++ b/t/t7600-merge.sh
@@ -914,7 +914,7 @@ test_expect_success 'merge with conflicted --autostash changes' '
 	git diff >expect &&
 	test_when_finished "test_might_fail git stash drop" &&
 	git merge --autostash c3 2>err &&
-	test_grep "Applying autostash resulted in conflicts." err &&
+	test_grep "your local changes resulted in conflicts" err &&
 	git show HEAD:file >merge-result &&
 	test_cmp result.1-9 merge-result &&
 	git stash show -p >actual &&
diff --git a/xdiff-interface.c b/xdiff-interface.c
index f043330f2a..5ee2b96d0a 100644
--- a/xdiff-interface.c
+++ b/xdiff-interface.c
@@ -325,6 +325,18 @@ int parse_conflict_style_name(const char *value)
 		return -1;
 }
 
+const char *conflict_style_name(int style)
+{
+	switch (style) {
+	case XDL_MERGE_DIFF3:
+		return "diff3";
+	case XDL_MERGE_ZEALOUS_DIFF3:
+		return "zdiff3";
+	default:
+		return "merge";
+	}
+}
+
 int git_xmerge_style = -1;
 
 int git_xmerge_config(const char *var, const char *value,
diff --git a/xdiff-interface.h b/xdiff-interface.h
index fbc4ceec40..ce54e1c0e0 100644
--- a/xdiff-interface.h
+++ b/xdiff-interface.h
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ void xdiff_set_find_func(xdemitconf_t *xecfg, const char *line, int cflags);
 void xdiff_clear_find_func(xdemitconf_t *xecfg);
 struct config_context;
 int parse_conflict_style_name(const char *value);
+const char *conflict_style_name(int style);
 int git_xmerge_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 		      const struct config_context *ctx, void *cb);
 extern int git_xmerge_style;
-- 
gitgitgadget
Previous: Harald NordgrenNext: Junio C Hamano
Message 44 of 164 in “checkout: add --autostash option for branch switching”
  1. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 12, 2026
  2. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  3. Harald NordgrenMar 12, 2026
  4. Phillip WoodMar 13, 2026
  5. Junio C HamanoMar 14, 2026
  6. Phillip WoodMar 16, 2026
  7. Junio C HamanoMar 16, 2026
  8. Harald NordgrenMar 17, 2026
  9. Harald NordgrenMar 19, 2026
  10. Junio C HamanoMar 19, 2026
  11. Harald NordgrenMar 31, 2026
  12. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  13. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  14. Junio C HamanoApr 9, 2026
  15. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  16. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  17. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 12, 2026
  18. Junio C HamanoMar 12, 2026
  19. Harald NordgrenMar 13, 2026
  20. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 13, 2026
  21. Junio C HamanoMar 13, 2026
  22. Harald NordgrenMar 13, 2026
  23. Junio C HamanoMar 13, 2026
  24. checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 14, 2026
  25. Junio C HamanoMar 15, 2026
  26. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 15, 2026
  27. 1/4 stash: add --ours-label, --theirs-label, --base-label for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 15, 2026
  28. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 15, 2026
  29. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 15, 2026
  30. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 15, 2026
  31. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 17, 2026
  32. 1/4 stash: add --ours-label, --theirs-label, --base-label for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 17, 2026
  33. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 17, 2026
  34. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 17, 2026
  35. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Mar 17, 2026
  36. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  37. 1/4 stash: add --ours-label, --theirs-label, --base-label for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  38. Junio C HamanoApr 9, 2026
  39. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  40. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  41. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  42. Junio C HamanoApr 9, 2026
  43. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  44. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  45. Junio C HamanoApr 9, 2026
  46. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  47. Junio C HamanoApr 9, 2026
  48. Harald NordgrenApr 9, 2026
  49. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  50. 1/4 stash: add --ours-label, --theirs-label, --base-label for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  51. Phillip WoodApr 10, 2026
  52. Junio C HamanoApr 10, 2026
  53. Harald NordgrenApr 10, 2026
  54. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  55. Phillip WoodApr 10, 2026
  56. Junio C HamanoApr 10, 2026
  57. Harald NordgrenApr 10, 2026
  58. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  59. Phillip WoodApr 10, 2026
  60. Junio C HamanoApr 10, 2026
  61. Harald NordgrenApr 10, 2026
  62. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 9, 2026
  63. Chris TorekApr 9, 2026
  64. Harald NordgrenApr 10, 2026
  65. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 10, 2026
  66. 1/4 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 10, 2026
  67. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 10, 2026
  68. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 10, 2026
  69. Jeff KingApr 11, 2026
  70. Harald NordgrenApr 11, 2026
  71. Jeff KingApr 11, 2026
  72. Jeff KingApr 11, 2026
  73. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 10, 2026
  74. Junio C HamanoApr 10, 2026
  75. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 12, 2026
  76. 1/4 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 12, 2026
  77. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 12, 2026
  78. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 12, 2026
  79. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 12, 2026
  80. Jeff KingApr 12, 2026
  81. Junio C HamanoApr 13, 2026
  82. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  83. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  84. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  85. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  86. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  87. 1/4 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  88. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  89. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  90. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  91. 0/4 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  92. 1/4 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  93. Phillip WoodApr 14, 2026
  94. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  95. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  96. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  97. Phillip WoodApr 15, 2026
  98. Harald NordgrenApr 15, 2026
  99. 2/4 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  100. Phillip WoodApr 14, 2026
  101. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  102. 3/4 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  103. Phillip WoodApr 14, 2026
  104. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  105. 4/4 checkout: -m (--merge) uses autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 14, 2026
  106. Phillip WoodApr 14, 2026
  107. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  108. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  109. Phillip WoodApr 15, 2026
  110. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  111. Harald NordgrenApr 15, 2026
  112. Phillip WoodApr 15, 2026
  113. Harald NordgrenApr 15, 2026
  114. Phillip WoodApr 15, 2026
  115. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  116. Harald NordgrenApr 14, 2026
  117. Junio C HamanoApr 14, 2026
  118. Harald NordgrenApr 16, 2026
  119. Junio C HamanoApr 16, 2026
  120. Harald NordgrenApr 16, 2026
  121. 0/5 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  122. 1/5 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  123. 2/5 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  124. 3/5 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  125. 4/5 checkout: rollback lock on early returns in merge_working_treeHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  126. 5/5 checkout -m: autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  127. 0/5 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  128. 1/5 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  129. 2/5 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  130. 3/5 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  131. 4/5 checkout: rollback lock on early returns in merge_working_treeHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  132. 5/5 checkout -m: autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 15, 2026
  133. Phillip WoodApr 24, 2026
  134. Comments on Phillip's reviewHarald Nordgren, Apr 24, 2026
  135. Harald NordgrenApr 21, 2026
  136. Phillip WoodApr 21, 2026
  137. Harald NordgrenApr 22, 2026
  138. Phillip WoodApr 24, 2026
  139. 0/5 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 24, 2026
  140. 1/5 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 24, 2026
  141. Phillip WoodApr 28, 2026
  142. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren, Apr 28, 2026
  143. 2/5 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 24, 2026
  144. Phillip WoodApr 28, 2026
  145. 3/5 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 24, 2026
  146. Phillip WoodApr 28, 2026
  147. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren, Apr 28, 2026
  148. 4/5 checkout: rollback lock on early returns in merge_working_treeHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 24, 2026
  149. Phillip WoodApr 28, 2026
  150. 5/5 checkout -m: autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 24, 2026
  151. Phillip WoodApr 28, 2026
  152. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren, Apr 28, 2026
  153. Phillip WoodApr 28, 2026
  154. 0/5 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 28, 2026
  155. 1/5 stash: add --label-ours, --label-theirs, --label-base for applyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 28, 2026
  156. 2/5 sequencer: allow create_autostash to run silentlyHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 28, 2026
  157. 3/5 sequencer: teach autostash apply to take optional conflict marker labelsHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 28, 2026
  158. 4/5 checkout: rollback lock on early returns in merge_working_treeHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 28, 2026
  159. 5/5 checkout -m: autostash when switching branchesHarald Nordgren via GitGitGadget, Apr 28, 2026
  160. Phillip WoodApr 29, 2026
  161. Phillip WoodApr 29, 2026
  162. checkout: add --autostash option for branch switchingHarald Nordgren, Apr 29, 2026
  163. 0/5 checkout: 'autostash' for branch switchingHarald Nordgren, May 7, 2026
  164. Phillip WoodMay 8, 2026

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