editing commits with git rebase

Question

I'm having a problem with editing commits.

I have 2 commits for 2 .php files. My goal is to edit them both. I read about rebase -i and this is what I reckon is supposed to be done:

• first I change pick to edit;
• save and exit;
• rebase stops;
• type git commit --amend;
• make changes, save and close the text editor;
• type git rebase --continue.

After this I believe the rebase stops again and I have to do this all over again for the second commit.

But right after I type git rebase --continue i get this:

file1.php: needs update
You must edit all merge conflicts and then
mark them as resolved using git add

What is the problem and what do I do?

Answer 1

When you stop for the rebase you have to:

• edit a file(s)
• add changes to the index - git add changedFile
• amend changes - git commit --amend
• continue rebasing - git rebase --continue

From your description it is possible that you forgot to add changes to the index. In that case git commit --amend does nothing (there is no changes to amend). In addition you have git commit --amend before you edit the file which is also wrong (you have to amend changes you already did on the file).

Try to apply steps in the order I gave.

Answer 2

(Posted solution on behalf of OP).

I got the right way to do it:

git rebase -i --root (I wasn't able to find both commits using HEAD~2)
pick->edit for both commits
Ctrl+X and Y and ENTER
edit the first commit
git add file1.php
git commit --amend
git rebase --continue
edit the second commit
git add file2.php
git commit --amend
git rebase --continue
git push -f

Hope this helps at least one person starting their git experience. Szpak, you've been a big help. Thanks.