How to Reset Your Git Repository to a Single Commit¶

If you need to reset your Git repository so that it only contains one commit but retains the current state of the project, you can do this by either creating an orphan branch or squashing all previous commits. This guide covers both methods.

Method 1: Creating an Orphan Branch¶

Creating an orphan branch will start a new branch with no commit history. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Create an Orphan Branch¶

Switch to a new branch with no commit history:

git checkout --orphan new-start

Step 2: Add All Files¶

Add all the project files to the new branch:

git add -A

Step 3: Commit the Changes¶

Make your initial commit:

git commit -m "Initial commit"

Step 4: Replace the Old Branch¶

If you want to replace your main branch (e.g., master or main) with this new one:

git branch -D master  # Replace 'master' with 'main' if your main branch is named 'main'
git branch -m master  # Same here

Step 5: Force Push to Remote Repository¶

Push the changes to your remote repository:

git push -f origin master  # Replace 'master' with 'main' if needed

Method 2: Squashing All Commits¶

Alternatively, you can squash all the commits in your branch into one:

Step 1: Check Out to the Branch¶

Make sure you are on the branch you want to squash:

git checkout master  # Replace 'master' with your branch name

Step 2: Reset the Branch to the Initial Commit¶

This command squashes all commits into one:

git reset $(git commit-tree HEAD^{tree} -m "Initial commit")

Step 3: Force Push to Remote Repository¶

Finally, force push the change to your remote repository:

git push -f origin master  # Replace 'master' with your branch name

Caution¶

Both methods are destructive and irreversible. Make sure to backup your repository or ensure that you won't need the old history before proceeding.