git stash list to view stashes - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the command git stash list do?

It shows a list of all the saved stashes in your Git repository. Each stash is a snapshot of your changes saved for later use.

beginner

How can you identify a specific stash in the git stash list output?

Each stash has a name like stash@{0}, stash@{1}, etc., along with a short description of the branch and commit it was saved from.

beginner

Why would you use git stash list before applying a stash?

To see all your saved stashes and choose the correct one to apply or inspect, avoiding mistakes.

beginner

What information does each entry in git stash list provide?

It shows the stash name, the branch it was created on, and a short message describing the changes saved.

beginner

Can git stash list show stashes from all branches?

Yes, it shows all stashes saved in the repository, regardless of the branch they were created on.

What command lists all saved stashes in Git?

A git stash apply

B git stash show

C git stash list

D git stash save

git stash list shows all saved stashes. Other commands do different stash actions.

What does stash@{0} represent in git stash list?

A The most recent stash

B The oldest stash

C A branch name

D A commit hash

stash@{0} is the newest stash saved.

Does git stash list show stashes from only the current branch?

A Only stashes older than 1 day

B Yes, only current branch stashes

C Only stashes from remote branches

D No, it shows all stashes in the repo

It lists all stashes saved in the repository, no matter the branch.

What extra info does git stash list show besides stash names?

A Remote repository URL

B Branch and message describing changes

C Commit author email

D File sizes

The list shows the branch and a short message about the stash.

Why check git stash list before applying a stash?

A To pick the correct stash to apply

B To delete all stashes

C To merge branches

D To commit changes

Listing stashes helps you choose the right one to apply or inspect.

Explain what git stash list shows and why it is useful.

Think about how you find saved work snapshots in Git.

Describe how you would identify and select a stash from the list to restore your changes.

Focus on the stash naming and description.

Practice

1. What does the command git stash list do in Git?

easy

A. Applies the latest stash to the working directory

B. Deletes all stashes permanently

C. Shows all saved stashes with their names and messages

D. Creates a new stash from current changes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of git stash list

   This command is used to display all the stashes saved in the repository, showing their names and messages.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other stash commands

   Unlike commands that create, apply, or delete stashes, git stash list only shows the list without changing anything.

3. Final Answer:

   Shows all saved stashes with their names and messages -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   View stashes = git stash list [OK]

Hint: Use git stash list to see all saved stashes quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing list with apply or drop commands
• Thinking it deletes or creates stashes
• Expecting it to show file changes inside stash

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to view all stashes in Git?

easy

A. git stash show

B. git stash list

C. git stash view

D. git stash display

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the exact command to list stashes

   The correct command to list all stashes is git stash list.

2. Step 2: Verify other options are invalid

   git stash show shows details of one stash, not the list; git stash view and git stash display are not valid Git commands.

3. Final Answer:

   git stash list -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   List stashes = git stash list [OK]

Hint: Remember: 'list' shows all stashes, not 'show' or 'view' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'git stash show' to list all stashes
• Typing 'git stash view' which is invalid
• Confusing 'list' with 'show'

3. Given the following output from git stash list:

stash@{0}: WIP on main: 123abc Fix header
stash@{1}: WIP on feature: 456def Add login
stash@{2}: WIP on main: 789ghi Update footer

What is the message of the stash at stash@{1}?

medium

A. Add login

B. Fix header

C. Update footer

D. WIP on main

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the stash index and message

   The stash at stash@{1} shows the message after the colon, which is 'Add login'.

2. Step 2: Confirm the message corresponds to the correct stash

   Other stashes have different messages: stash@{0} is 'Fix header', stash@{2} is 'Update footer'.

3. Final Answer:

   Add login -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Message at stash@{1} = 'Add login' [OK]

Hint: Read stash index carefully; message follows the colon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing stash indexes and messages
• Choosing the branch name instead of message
• Ignoring the stash number format

4. You ran git stash list but got no output, even though you recently stashed changes. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Git stash list only shows uncommitted changes

B. You used git stash list incorrectly with extra arguments

C. Your stashes were deleted automatically after applying

D. You are in a different repository without stashes

Solution

1. Step 1: Check repository context

   If git stash list shows nothing, you might be in a different repository where no stashes exist.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Using extra arguments would cause an error, not empty output; stashes are not deleted automatically unless dropped; git stash list shows saved stashes, not uncommitted changes.

3. Final Answer:

   You are in a different repository without stashes -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   No output means no stashes in current repo [OK]

Hint: Check current repo; no stashes means empty list [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming stashes auto-delete after apply
• Expecting git stash list to show uncommitted changes
• Using wrong command syntax causing silent failure

5. You have multiple stashes saved. You want to apply the second stash shown in git stash list without removing it from the stash list. Which command should you use?

hard

A. git stash apply stash@{1}

B. git stash pop stash@{1}

C. git stash drop stash@{1}

D. git stash list stash@{1}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between apply and pop

   git stash apply applies a stash but keeps it in the list; git stash pop applies and removes it.

2. Step 2: Identify correct command to apply second stash

   To apply the second stash, use git stash apply stash@{1}. git stash drop deletes the stash, and git stash list stash@{1} is invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   git stash apply stash@{1} -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Apply without removing = git stash apply [OK]

Hint: Use apply to keep stash, pop to remove after applying [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using pop which deletes stash after applying
• Trying to list a specific stash with wrong syntax
• Dropping stash instead of applying