git stash pop to restore - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the command git stash pop do?

It restores the most recently saved changes from the stash and removes that stash entry from the stash list.

intermediate

How is git stash pop different from git stash apply?

git stash pop restores changes and deletes the stash entry, while git stash apply restores changes but keeps the stash entry.

intermediate

What happens if there is a conflict when running git stash pop?

Git will show conflict markers in the files. You must manually resolve conflicts before committing the changes.

intermediate

How can you pop a specific stash entry instead of the latest one?

Use git stash pop stash@{n} where n is the stash index number.

beginner

Why use git stash pop instead of manually copying files?

Because it safely restores changes tracked by Git, preserving history and avoiding manual errors.

What does git stash pop do?

A Only lists all stashes

B Deletes all stashes without restoring

C Creates a new stash

D Restores stashed changes and removes them from stash list

git stash pop restores the latest stash and deletes it from the stash list.

Which command restores changes but keeps the stash entry?

A git stash pop

B git stash apply

C git stash list

D git stash drop

git stash apply restores changes but does not remove the stash entry.

How do you specify which stash to pop?

A git stash pop --all

B git stash pop -a

C git stash pop stash@{n}

D git stash pop --index

Use stash@{n} to specify the stash index to pop.

What should you do if git stash pop causes conflicts?

A Manually resolve conflicts before committing

B Ignore and commit anyway

C Run <code>git stash drop</code> immediately

D Restart Git

Conflicts must be resolved manually before committing.

Why is git stash pop useful?

A It safely restores saved changes and cleans stash

B It deletes all files

C It creates a new branch

D It resets the repository

It restores saved changes and removes them from stash, keeping your work organized.

Explain how git stash pop works and when you would use it.

Think about saving your work temporarily and then bringing it back.

Describe the difference between git stash pop and git stash apply.

One cleans up stash, the other keeps it.

Practice

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

easy

A. It restores the most recent stashed changes and removes them from the stash list.

B. It permanently deletes all stashes without restoring changes.

C. It creates a new stash with the current changes.

D. It lists all the stashes without applying any changes.

Solution

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

   This command is used to bring back the most recent saved changes from the stash and apply them to the working directory.

2. Step 2: Recognize the effect on the stash list

   After applying the changes, it removes that stash entry from the stash list, unlike git stash apply which keeps it.

3. Final Answer:

   It restores the most recent stashed changes and removes them from the stash list. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   git stash pop = restore + remove stash [OK]

Hint: Pop restores and deletes stash; apply restores only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing pop with apply
• Thinking pop deletes all stashes
• Believing pop creates a new stash

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to restore stashed changes using git stash pop?

easy

A. git stash apply pop

B. git pop stash

C. git stash restore

D. git stash pop stash@{1}

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct command structure

   The correct command to pop a specific stash is git stash pop followed by the stash reference, e.g., stash@{1}.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Options B, C, and D are invalid Git commands or incorrect syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   git stash pop stash@{1} -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Pop syntax = git stash pop [stash_ref] [OK]

Hint: Use stash@{n} to pop specific stash [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'git pop stash' which is invalid
• Confusing 'apply' and 'pop' syntax
• Using 'git stash restore' which doesn't exist

3. Given the following commands executed in order:

git stash save "work in progress"
git stash pop

What will be the output or effect after git stash pop?

medium

A. The stash list remains unchanged and changes are not restored.

B. The saved changes are restored to the working directory and the stash is removed.

C. An error occurs because stash pop requires a stash reference.

D. The changes are restored but the stash remains in the list.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand git stash save

   This command saves current changes to a new stash with the message "work in progress".

2. Step 2: Understand git stash pop without arguments

   By default, it restores the most recent stash and removes it from the stash list.

3. Final Answer:

   The saved changes are restored to the working directory and the stash is removed. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Pop restores + deletes latest stash [OK]

Hint: Pop without args restores latest stash [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking pop needs stash reference always
• Believing stash remains after pop
• Expecting error on pop without args

4. You ran git stash pop but got a conflict error. What is the best way to fix this?

medium

A. Ignore the conflicts and continue working without fixing.

B. Run git stash pop again immediately to overwrite conflicts.

C. Manually resolve the conflicts in files, then stage and commit the changes.

D. Delete the stash manually and reset the branch to discard changes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand conflict after stash pop

   Conflicts mean changes from stash and current files clash and must be fixed manually.

2. Step 2: Resolve conflicts properly

   Open conflicted files, fix differences, then stage and commit to save resolved state.

3. Final Answer:

   Manually resolve the conflicts in files, then stage and commit the changes. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Fix conflicts manually after stash pop [OK]

Hint: Resolve conflicts manually, then stage and commit [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Rerunning stash pop causing more conflicts
• Deleting stash without restoring changes
• Ignoring conflicts and losing work

5. You have two stashes saved: stash@{0} and stash@{1}. You want to restore stash@{1} but keep stash@{1} intact. Which command should you use?

hard

A. git stash apply stash@{1}

B. git stash pop stash@{0}

C. git stash pop stash@{1}

D. git stash drop stash@{1}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand difference between pop and apply

   git stash pop restores and removes the stash entry; git stash apply restores but keeps the stash.

2. Step 2: Choose command to restore stash@{1} without removing it

   Use git stash apply stash@{1} to restore changes but keep stash@{1} in the list.

3. Final Answer:

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

4. Quick Check:

   Apply restores stash without deleting it [OK]

Hint: Use apply to restore stash without deleting it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using pop which deletes the stash
• Dropping stash instead of restoring
• Applying wrong stash reference