How to Checkout a Commit in Git

In Git, checking out a specific commit allows you to view or work with your repository at a particular point in its history. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you do it.

1. Find the Commit Hash

Each commit in Git has a unique identifier called a hash. To find the hash of the commit you want to check out, use:

git

This shows the commit history. Look for the hash (e.g., abc123) of the desired commit.

2. Checkout the Commit

To check out a specific commit, run:

git

For example:

git

Detached HEAD State

When you checkout a commit directly, Git puts you in a detached HEAD state. This means you’re no longer on a branch, and any changes you make will not be associated with a branch unless you create one.

3. Create a New Branch (Optional)

If you want to make changes starting from this commit, create a new branch:

git checkout -b

For example:

git checkout -b

This creates a new branch from the checked-out commit and switches to it.

4. Return to a Branch

To leave the detached HEAD state and return to a branch, use:

git

For example:

git

Summary

• Use git log to find the commit hash.

• Run git checkout <commit-hash> to view the commit.

• To make changes, create a new branch with git checkout -b <branch-name>.

• To return to a branch, use git checkout <branch-name>.

Checking out commits is a powerful way to explore your repository's history or start new work from a specific point.