If you're working on a Git repository and you're seeing the error message "The following untracked working tree files would be overwritten by checkout," don't panic! This error message is common and can be easily resolved with a few simple steps.
What is the 'The Following Untracked Working Tree Files Would Be Overwritten by Checkout' Error?
This error message occurs when you try to switch branches in Git and have uncommitted changes in your working directory. Git is letting you know that the changes in your working directory will be overwritten when you switch to the new branch.
How to Fix the 'The Following Untracked Working Tree Files Would Be Overwritten by Checkout' Error
To fix this error, you'll need to do the following:
Commit or stash your changes. Before you can switch branches, you need to commit or stash your changes. If you're not ready to commit your changes yet, you can stash them with the following command:
git stash
This will save your changes to a temporary area and revert your working directory to the last commit. You can then switch branches without any issues.
Switch branches. Once your changes are committed or stashed, you can switch branches with the following command:
git checkout <branch-name>
Replace <branch-name> with the name of the branch you want to switch to.
Apply your changes. After you've switched branches, you can apply your changes from the stash with the following command:
git stash apply
If you stashed multiple changes, you can apply them individually with the following command:
git stash apply stash@{<stash-number>}
Replace <stash-number> with the number of the stash you want to apply.
Resolve any conflicts. If Git detects any conflicts when applying your changes, you'll need to resolve them manually. Git will mark the conflicts in your files with special markers that look like this:
<<<<<<< Updated upstream
...
=======
...
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
You'll need to manually edit your files to remove the conflict markers and choose which changes to keep. Once you've resolved all the conflicts, you can commit your changes with the following command:
git commit -m "Resolved conflicts after applying stash"
FAQ
Q: Can I use git checkout without committing or stashing my changes?
A: No, you cannot. Git will prevent you from switching branches if you have uncommitted changes in your working directory.
Q: What happens if I accidentally overwrite my changes?
A: If you accidentally overwrite your changes, they may be lost forever. This is why it's important to commit or stash your changes before switching branches.
Q: Can I use git stash to save changes across multiple branches?
A: Yes, you can. When you stash changes, they are saved to a temporary area that is not tied to any specific branch. This means you can switch branches and apply your changes from the stash later.
Q: How do I view my stashes?
A: You can view your stashes with the following command:
git stash list
This will show you a list of all your stashes, along with a unique identifier for each one.
Q: How do I permanently delete a stash?
A: You can permanently delete a stash with the following command:
git stash drop <stash-number>
Replace <stash-number> with the number of the stash you want to delete.