Git & GitHub · Chapter 20 of 42

git reset (soft, mixed, hard)

`git reset` moves the current branch pointer to a different commit, and can also change the staging area and working directory depending on the mode used. It's a powerful tool for undoing commits.

The three modes are: `--soft` (keeps changes staged), `--mixed` (default, unstages changes but keeps them in the working directory), and `--hard` (discards changes completely).

Syntax

git reset --soft <commit>
git reset --mixed <commit>
git reset --hard <commit>

Soft and mixed reset

`git reset --soft HEAD~1` undoes the last commit but keeps changes staged. `git reset --mixed HEAD~1` (the default) undoes the commit and unstages changes, but keeps them in your files.

Hard reset (dangerous)

`git reset --hard HEAD~1` undoes the commit and permanently discards all related changes from the working directory. Use with extreme caution.

Example 1 (bash)

git reset --soft HEAD~1

Undoes the last commit but keeps its changes staged, ready to be re-committed.

Example 2 (bash)

git reset --hard HEAD~1

Output

HEAD is now at a3f5c9e Add login validation

Undoes the last commit and discards all its changes completely from the working directory.

Key points

git reset moves the branch pointer to a different commit.
--soft keeps changes staged after the reset.
--mixed (default) unstages but keeps changes in your files.
--hard permanently discards changes — use with caution.

💡 Note: Never use git reset --hard on commits already shared with others, since it rewrites history they may depend on.

git reset (soft, mixed, hard)

Soft and mixed reset

Hard reset (dangerous)

Key points

📝 Quick Quiz