git/list[1] front-page[2] threads[3] people[4] search[5] about
 

[PATCH v2 10/11] git-gui: adapt blame/browser parsing for bare operation

From
Mark Levedahl <mlevedahl@gmail.com>
Date
May 20, 2026, 20:24 UTC
Message-ID
<20260520202411.108764-11-mlevedahl@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To
<20260520202411.108764-1-mlevedahl@gmail.com>

git-gui's blame and browser subcommands do not work with bare repositories, but they should per commit c52c94524b ("git-gui: Allow blame/browser subcommands on bare repositories", 2007-07-17). Assuming that commit worked, something changed since reintroducing a hard-coded dependency upon a worktree.

The basic issue goes back to 3e45ee1ef2 ("git-gui: Smarter command line parsing for browser, blame", 2007-05-08), which seeks to implement command line parsing similar to git blame. That commit introduces depencies upon the worktree to decide which argument is rev or path.

Looking at builtin/blame.c in git around line 1120:
	 * (1) if dashdash_pos != 0, it is either
	 *     "blame [revisions] -- <path>" or
	 *     "blame -- <path> <rev>"
	 *
	 * (2) otherwise, it is one of the two:
	 *     "blame [revisions] <path>"
	 *     "blame <path> <rev>"

shows the clear intent: rev and path may be swapped in input so both meanings must be tried, but -- may be used to designate which is the path forcing or precluding trying the swapped arguments.

With a worktree, git gui correctly swaps the arguments if the given path exists in the worktree. git blame does this using the git repository. But, git-gui sometimes interprets the -- to have an exactly opposite meaning:

    git blame       Makefile gitgui-0.19.0       works
    git gui blame   Makefile gitgui-0.19.0       works
    git blame       -- Makefile gitgui-0.19.0    works
    git gui blame   -- Makefile gitgui-0.19.0    works
    git blame       Makefile -- gitgui-0.19.0    fails (correctly)
    git gui blame   Makefile -- gitgui-0.19.0    works (should fail)
    git blame       gitgui-0.19.0 -- Makefile    works (correctly)
    git gui blame   gitgui-0.19.0 -- Makefile    fails (should work)

It is possible to patch the code to operate without a worktree, but this will make the commands operate differently with and without a worktree, won't fix the parsing issues above, and won't address the issues that can arise when using a worktree to help decisions on a different rev with file/directory conflicts, etc.

So, let's rework the parser so that it uses -- as does git blame, and uses git ls-tree to query the given revision for existence and type of path rather than basing this upon a possibly unrelated worktree. Also, abort early when the given path is not found, or does not match the need (file or directory). This fixes some current cases where git-gui will open a window with no content, possibly also with an error message.

This does not change whether or how git-gui uses staged and unstaged content in the current worktree for blame display.

Signed-off-by: Mark Levedahl <mlevedahl@gmail.com>
---
 git-gui.sh | 151 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-----------------------
 1 file changed, 87 insertions(+), 64 deletions(-)
diff --git a/git-gui.sh b/git-gui.sh
index d373457901..ae609f86f1 100755
--- a/git-gui.sh
+++ b/git-gui.sh
@@ -3014,100 +3014,123 @@ proc normalize_relpath {path} {
 	}
 }
 
+proc find_path_type {head path} {
+	if {$path eq {./}} {
+		# the root-tree exists in every rev, ls-tree gives data on the contents,
+		# not the type of tree itself. So, if the rev exists, return {tree}
+		if {[catch {set objtype [git ls-tree $head]}]} {
+			set objtype {}
+		} else {
+			set objtype {tree}
+		}
+	} else {
+		# test that the path exists in head, ls-tree gives info on the path only
+		if {[catch {set objtype [git ls-tree {--format=%(objecttype)} $head $path]}]} {
+			set objtype {}
+		}
+	}
+	return $objtype
+}
+
 # -- Not a normal commit type invocation?  Do that instead!
 #
 switch -- $subcommand {
 browser -
 blame {
 	if {$subcommand eq "blame"} {
-		set subcommand_args {[--line=<num>] rev? path}
+		set subcommand_args {[--line=<num>] <[rev] [--] filename | [--] filename rev>}
+		set required_objtype blob
 	} else {
-		set subcommand_args {rev? path}
+		set subcommand_args {<[rev] [--] directory | [--] directory rev>}
+		set required_objtype tree
 	}
-	if {$argv eq {}} usage
+	set maxargs [llength $subcommand_args]
+	set nargs [llength $argv]
+	if {$nargs < 1 || $nargs > $maxargs} usage
 	set head {}
+	set althead {}
 	set path {}
+	set altpath {}
+	set canswap 1
 	set jump_spec {}
-	set is_path 0
-	foreach a $argv {
-		set p [file join $_prefix $a]
 
-		if {$is_path || [file exists $p]} {
-			if {$path ne {}} usage
-			set path [normalize_relpath $p]
-			break
-		} elseif {$a eq {--}} {
-			if {$path ne {}} {
-				if {$head ne {}} usage
-				set head $path
-				set path {}
+	# assume: [--line=num] [head] [--] path as the possible arguments, in order.
+	# head and path may need a swap later.
+	for {set iarg 0} {$iarg < $nargs} {incr iarg} {
+		set arg [lindex $argv $iarg]
+		if {$arg eq {--}} {
+			# next arg is the path, prevent or FORCE swap?
+			if {$iarg == $nargs - 2} {
+				set canswap 0
+			} elseif {$iarg == $nargs - 3} {
+				set canswap 2
+			} else {
+				usage
 			}
-			set is_path 1
-		} elseif {[regexp {^--line=(\d+)$} $a a lnum]} {
-			if {$jump_spec ne {} || $head ne {}} usage
+		} elseif {[regexp {^--line=(\d+)$} $arg arg lnum]} {
+			# --line can only be the first arg
+			if {$iarg != 0 || $maxargs < 4} usage
 			set jump_spec [list $lnum]
+		} elseif {$iarg == $nargs - 1} {
+			# assume final argument is path
+			set path [normalize_relpath [file join $_prefix $arg]]
+			set althead $arg
 		} elseif {$head eq {}} {
-			if {$head ne {}} usage
-			set head $a
-			set is_path 1
+			# assume the other argument is head
+			set head $arg
+			set altpath [normalize_relpath [file join $_prefix $arg]]
 		} else {
 			usage
 		}
 	}
-	unset is_path
-
-	if {$head ne {} && $path eq {}} {
-		if {[string index $head 0] eq {/}} {
-			set path [normalize_relpath $head]
-			set head {}
-		} else {
-			set path [normalize_relpath $_prefix$head]
-			set head {}
-		}
-	}
 
+	# no swapping allowed if head not given, use current branch (HEAD)
 	if {$head eq {}} {
 		load_current_branch
-	} else {
-		if {[regexp [string map "@@ [expr $hashlength - 1]" {^[0-9a-f]{1,@@}$}] $head]} {
-			if {[catch {
-					set head [git rev-parse --verify $head]
-				} err]} {
-				if {[tk windowingsystem] eq "win32"} {
-					tk_messageBox -icon error -title [mc Error] -message $err
-				} else {
-					puts stderr $err
-				}
-				exit 1
-			}
+		set head $current_branch
+		set canswap 0
+	}
+
+	# -- before "rev" arg means we got -- path head
+	if {$canswap == 2} {
+		set head $althead
+		set path $altpath
+		set canswap 0
+	}
+
+	set objtype [find_path_type $head $path]
+	if {$objtype eq {} && $canswap} {
+		set objtype [find_path_type $althead $altpath]
+		if {$objtype ne {}} {
+			set head $althead
+			set path $altpath
 		}
-		set current_branch $head
+	}
+	set current_branch $head
+
+	# check that path exists in head, and objtype matches need
+	if {$objtype ne $required_objtype} {
+		switch -- $required_objtype {
+			tree {set err [strcat \
+				[mc "'%s' is not a directory in rev '%s'" $path $head]]}
+			blob {set err [strcat \
+				[mc "'%s' is not a filename in rev '%s'" $path $head]]}
+		}
+		if {[tk windowingsystem] eq "win32"} {
+			catch {wm withdraw .}
+			error_popup $err
+		} else {
+			puts stderr $err
+		}
+		exit 1
 	}
 
 	wm deiconify .
 	switch -- $subcommand {
 	browser {
-		if {$jump_spec ne {}} usage
-		if {$head eq {}} {
-			if {$path ne {} && [file isdirectory $path]} {
-				set head $current_branch
-			} else {
-				set head $path
-				set path {}
-			}
-		}
 		browser::new $head $path
 	}
-	blame   {
-		if {$head eq {} && ![file exists $path]} {
-			catch {wm withdraw .}
-			tk_messageBox \
-				-icon error \
-				-type ok \
-				-title [mc "git-gui: fatal error"] \
-				-message [mc "fatal: cannot stat path %s: No such file or directory" $path]
-			exit 1
-		}
+	blame {
 		blame::new $head $path $jump_spec
 	}
 	}
-- 
2.54.0.99.14
Previous: Mark LevedahlNext: Shroom Moo
Message 96 of 134 in “git-gui: handle bare repo or missing worktree”
  1. git-gui: handle bare repo or missing worktreeShroom Moo, Apr 21, 2026
  2. Johannes SixtApr 29, 2026
  3. 1/1 git-gui: protect rev-parse --show-toplevel callShroom Moo, Apr 29, 2026
  4. Mark LevedahlApr 29, 2026
  5. 1/1 git-gui: handle missing worktree and separated gitdirShroom Moo, Apr 30, 2026
  6. Mark LevedahlApr 30, 2026
  7. Shroom MooMay 1, 2026
  8. Johannes SixtMay 1, 2026
  9. Mark LevedahlMay 1, 2026
  10. Mark LevedahlMay 2, 2026
  11. Johannes SixtMay 3, 2026
  12. Mark LevedahlMay 4, 2026
  13. Mark LevedahlMay 5, 2026
  14. Johannes SixtMay 6, 2026
  15. Mark LevedahlMay 6, 2026
  16. Johannes SixtMay 6, 2026
  17. Mark LevedahlMay 6, 2026
  18. Mark LevedahlMay 7, 2026
  19. 1/1 git-gui: handle missing worktree and separated gitdirShroom Moo, May 1, 2026
  20. 1/1 git-gui: restructure repository startupShroom Moo, May 4, 2026
  21. Johannes SixtMay 6, 2026
  22. 0/3 git-gui: robustify startup and fix environment handlingShroom Moo, May 6, 2026
  23. 0/3 git-gui: robustify startup and fix environment handlingShroom Moo, May 9, 2026
  24. Mark LevedahlMay 14, 2026
  25. 00/11 Improve git gui operation without a worktreeMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  26. 01/11 git-gui: allow specifying path '.' to the browserMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  27. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  28. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  29. 02/11 git-gui: refactor browser / blame argument parsingMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  30. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  31. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  32. 04/11 git-gui: put choose_repository::pick in a procMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  33. Aina BootMay 15, 2026
  34. Mark LevedahlMay 15, 2026
  35. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  36. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  37. 05/11 git-gui: use --absolute-git-dirMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  38. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  39. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  40. 03/11 git-gui: guard set/unset of GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREEMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  41. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  42. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  43. 06/11 git gui: GIT_DIR / GIT_WORK_TREE make any discovery error fatalMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  44. 07/11 git-gui: use rev-parse exclusively to find a repositoryMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  45. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  46. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  47. 08/11 git-gui: simplify [is_bare] to report if a worktree is knownMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  48. Johannes SixtMay 16, 2026
  49. 09/11 git-gui: support using repository parent dir as a worktreeMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  50. Johannes SixtMay 16, 2026
  51. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  52. 10/11 git-gui: improve worktree discoveryMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  53. Johannes SixtMay 16, 2026
  54. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  55. Johannes SixtMay 19, 2026
  56. Mark LevedahlMay 19, 2026
  57. 11/11 git-gui: add gui and pick as explicit subcommandsMark Levedahl, May 14, 2026
  58. Johannes SixtMay 16, 2026
  59. Mark LevedahlMay 16, 2026
  60. Johannes SixtMay 19, 2026
  61. Mark LevedahlMay 19, 2026
  62. Johannes SixtMay 19, 2026
  63. Johannes SixtMay 16, 2026
  64. 00/11 Improve git gui operation without a worktreeMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  65. 01/11 git-gui: guard set/unset of GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREEMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  66. Johannes SixtMay 22, 2026
  67. Mark LevedahlMay 22, 2026
  68. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  69. Aina BootMay 23, 2026
  70. Mark LevedahlMay 23, 2026
  71. 02/11 git-gui: return status from choose_repository::pickMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  72. Johannes SixtMay 22, 2026
  73. 04/11 git-gui: use rev-parse exclusively to find a repositoryMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  74. Johannes SixtMay 22, 2026
  75. Mark LevedahlMay 22, 2026
  76. Mark LevedahlMay 22, 2026
  77. 05/11 git-gui: simplify [is_bare] to report if a worktree is knownMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  78. 06/11 git-gui: use git rev-parse for worktree discoveryMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  79. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  80. 07/11 git-gui: try harder to find worktree from gitdirMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  81. Shroom MooMay 21, 2026
  82. Mark LevedahlMay 21, 2026
  83. Shroom MooMay 22, 2026
  84. Mark LevedahlMay 22, 2026
  85. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  86. Shroom MooMay 23, 2026
  87. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  88. Mark LevedahlMay 23, 2026
  89. 03/11 git-gui: use --absolute-git-dirMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  90. Johannes SixtMay 22, 2026
  91. 08/11 git-gui: use HEAD as current branch when detached (bug fix)Mark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  92. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  93. 09/11 git-gui: allow specifying path '.' to the browserMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  94. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  95. Mark LevedahlMay 23, 2026
  96. 10/11 git-gui: adapt blame/browser parsing for bare operationMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  97. Shroom MooMay 21, 2026
  98. Mark LevedahlMay 21, 2026
  99. Shroom MooMay 22, 2026
  100. fixup git-gui: allow blame to show uncommitted changesMark Levedahl, May 23, 2026
  101. Johannes SixtMay 23, 2026
  102. 11/11 git-gui: add gui and pick as explicit subcommandsMark Levedahl, May 20, 2026
  103. Johannes SixtMay 24, 2026
  104. Johannes SixtMay 24, 2026
  105. Mark LevedahlMay 25, 2026
  106. 00/12 Improve git gui operation without a worktreeMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  107. 01/12 git-gui: use HEAD as current branch when detachedMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  108. 02/12 git-gui: remove unnecessary 'cd $_gitworktree' from do_gitkMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  109. 03/12 git-gui: guard set/unset of GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREEMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  110. 04/12 git-gui: do not change global vars in choose_repository::pickMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  111. 05/12 git-gui: use --absolute-git-dirMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  112. 06/12 git-gui: use rev-parse exclusively to find a repositoryMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  113. 07/12 git-gui: use git rev-parse for worktree discoveryMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  114. 08/12 git-gui: simplify [is_bare] to report if a worktree is knownMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  115. 09/12 git-gui: try harder to find worktree from gitdirMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  116. 10/12 git-gui: allow specifying path '.' to the browserMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  117. 11/12 git-gui: check browser/blame arguments carefullyMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  118. 12/12 git-gui: add gui and pick as explicit subcommandsMark Levedahl, May 31, 2026
  119. Johannes SixtJun 2, 2026
  120. Mark LevedahlJun 2, 2026
  121. Johannes SixtJun 2, 2026
  122. Shroom MooApr 29, 2026
  123. 2/3 git-gui: disable gitk visualization when no worktree availableShroom Moo, May 6, 2026
  124. 1/3 git-gui: restructure repository startupShroom Moo, May 6, 2026
  125. 3/3 git-gui: handle GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREE earlyShroom Moo, May 6, 2026
  126. Mark LevedahlMay 7, 2026
  127. Aina BootMay 9, 2026
  128. Shroom MooMay 9, 2026
  129. 1/3 git-gui: restructure repository startupShroom Moo, May 9, 2026
  130. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  131. 3/3 git-gui: handle GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREE earlyShroom Moo, May 9, 2026
  132. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026
  133. 2/3 git-gui: disable gitk visualization when no worktree availableShroom Moo, May 9, 2026
  134. Johannes SixtMay 15, 2026

Read the whole thread, see it on lore, or plain text.

$ cat FOOTERMessages come from the public archive at lore.kernel.org/git, fetched every hour. The front page is chosen and written each morning by an AI editor and can be wrong; the threads themselves are the record. About and API. For agents: an MCP server at https://gitlist.dev/mcp, and any thread, story or person page as Markdown by adding .md to its URL (or sending Accept: text/markdown). Details in /llms.txt.