# Git Rebase -i Is Not That Scary Discover how easy the git rebase -i command actually is. - **Source:** [programming](https://brifing.si/source/21f413d8-a401-41ca-83b1-904b87bb8257) - **Published:** 2026-07-14 - **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2f677cba-46d3-4682-98fb-f0c5b6a70b41 ## What Is Git Rebase -i? Git rebase -i is an interactive tool used to edit your commit history. This command allows you to merge, reorder, or edit commits. Many developers initially fear this command, but it is actually quite useful. ## Why Are We Afraid? The complexity of the git rebase -i command scares many developers. The idea of altering commit history creates a fear of making mistakes. However, when used correctly, this command makes your project history more readable. ## Basic Use Cases Git rebase -i is commonly used to merge a few commits or remove unnecessary ones. It is also ideal for editing commit messages or reordering commits. This is particularly useful in team collaborations. ## How to Use It? To use git rebase -i, run the command 'git rebase -i HEAD~n' in your terminal. Here, 'n' specifies the number of commits you want to edit. Follow the instructions in the editor that opens to edit the commits. ## Common Mistakes and Solutions The most common mistake is deleting or merging the wrong commits. In this case, you can revert to the previous state using 'git reflog'. Also, taking a backup before the rebase is a good practice. ## Why Is It Important? Git rebase -i makes your project history cleaner and more understandable. This is especially critical in large teams and long-term projects. When used correctly, it saves time and increases efficiency. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1uwbmr0/git_rebase_i_is_not_that_scary/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._