Stash Management

Save work-in-progress without committing using GitGUI's stash feature.

What is Stashing?

Stashing saves your uncommitted changes temporarily:

• Switch branches without losing work
• Pull updates without conflicts
• Set aside changes for later

The Stash Section

Stashes appear in the sidebar under STASHES:

┌─────────────────────────┐
│ ▼ STASHES (2)           │
│   ├─ WIP: login page    │
│   └─ temp: quick save   │
└─────────────────────────┘

Creating a Stash

1. Click the stash button (📦) in the staging panel
2. Enter a descriptive message
3. Click Stash

What Gets Stashed

• All unstaged changes
• All staged changes
• Working directory becomes clean

Stash Actions

Right-click any stash for options:

Apply

Restores changes, keeps the stash:

• Changes appear in staging panel
• Stash remains in list
• Can apply again later

Pop

Restores changes, removes the stash:

• Changes appear in staging panel
• Stash deleted from list
• Use when done with stash

Drop

Deletes stash without applying:

• Changes are lost
• Cannot be undone
• Use to clean up old stashes

Stash Messages

Good messages help you remember:

• ✅ "WIP: user authentication flow"
• ✅ "Half-done: API integration"
• ❌ "stuff"
• ❌ "asdf"

Common Workflows

Quick Branch Switch

1. Working on feature with changes
2. Need to check main branch
3. Stash: "WIP: feature work"
4. Switch to main
5. Do your work
6. Switch back to feature
7. Pop the stash
8. Continue working

Pull Without Conflicts

1. Have local changes
2. Need to pull updates
3. Stash changes
4. Pull from remote
5. Pop the stash
6. Resolve any conflicts

Multiple WIPs

1. Stash: "WIP: login page"
2. Start different work
3. Stash: "WIP: signup page"
4. Now have two stashes
5. Apply whichever needed

Handling Conflicts

If applying a stash conflicts with current changes:

1. GitGUI shows warning
2. Conflicted files in staging panel
3. Resolve conflicts manually
4. Stage resolved files
5. Commit to complete

Tips

Stash Often

Stashing is safe and fast. Use it liberally.

Clean Up Old Stashes

Periodically drop stashes you no longer need.

Use Branches for Long Work

For work spanning days, create a branch instead.

Stash Before Risky Operations

Before rebasing or complex merges, stash as backup.

Limitations

• Stashes are local only (not pushed)
• Large stashes may be slow to apply
• Conflicts possible when applying

Related

• Stashing Guide — Detailed workflows
• Branch Management — Working with branches
• Staging Panel — Managing changes