Git merge vs rebase: the only mental model you need
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A practical guide to understanding git merge vs rebase with a clear mental model. Merge preserves true history by recording a merge commit; rebase rewrites commits to appear linear. The golden rule: rebase your own local/private work to keep history clean, then merge into main. Includes concrete Git commands, a decision flow for common scenarios, opinionated global config settings, copy-paste team policy, and pitfalls like rebasing shared history and perpetual conflict cycles.
Table of contents
IntroductionTL;DR (rebase AND merge)What Git is really trackingGit merge, explained as if you’re new to itGit rebase, explained in plain wordsGit fast forward vs rebaseA simple decision flow that actually worksMy opinionated default setupPractical workflows you can copyPitfalls and how to avoid themTeam policy you can paste in your READMEFAQ: quick answers to common “merge vs rebase” questionsConclusion3 Impressions