Git Cheat Sheet · Changes

Amend the last commit

Q: How do I change a commit older than the last one?

With an interactive rebase: git rebase -i ^, then the "edit" or "reword" action on that commit.

Q: How do I undo a git commit --amend?

git reset --soft HEAD@{1} goes back to the commit from before the amend: the reflog keeps track of it.

git commit --amend

git commit --amend replaces the last commit with a new one, which takes the content of the index. This lets you fix its message or add a forgotten file, without creating a second commit.

By Julien Dudek, author of Merathon · published on 4 November 2026

What it does

Replaces the last commit with a new one: corrected message, files added or removed.

A use case

You just committed and notice a typo in the message, or a forgotten file.

Warning: Rewrites history: if the commit is already pushed, a force push will be needed.

On the command line

git commit --amend -m "New message": Fixes only the message.
git add <forgotten> && git commit --amend --no-edit: Adds a forgotten file and keeps the message.
git commit --amend --reset-author --no-edit: Updates the commit's author and date.
git push --force-with-lease: Republishes the amended commit if it had already been pushed.

In Merathon

Stage any forgotten files.
Check "Amend the last commit": the previous message is reused.
Correct the message then confirm.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change a commit older than the last one?

With an interactive rebase: git rebase -i <commit>^, then the "edit" or "reword" action on that commit.

How do I undo a git commit --amend?

git reset --soft HEAD@{1} goes back to the commit from before the amend: the reflog keeps track of it.