Resolving a 'both added' merge conflict in git?

Question

I'm rebasing in git, and one conflict I get is 'both added' - that is, exactly the same filename has been added independently in my branch, and in the branch I'm rebasing on. git status tells me:

# Unmerged paths:
#   (use "git reset HEAD <file>..." to unstage)
#   (use "git add/rm <file>..." as appropriate to mark resolution)
#
#       both added:         src/MyFile.cs

My question is, how do I resolve this? Must I use a merge tool or is there a way I can do it just from the commandline? If I git rm src/MyFile.cs, how does git know which file version I want to remove and which I want to keep?

Answer 1

If you use git rm git will remove all versions of that path from the index so your resolve action will leave you without either version.

You can use git checkout --ours src/MyFile.cs to choose the version from the branch onto which you are rebasing or git checkout --theirs src/MyFile.cs to choose the version from the branch which you are rebasing.

If you want a blend you need to use a merge tool or edit it manually.

Answer 2

I sometimes find it confusing using the --theirs and --ours options to identify where the file will come from. Most of the time mine will be in the branch I am rebasing which is referred to by --theirs!

You can also use git checkout <tree-ish> -- src/MyFile.cs

Where the <tree-ish> can be replaced either by the branch name or commit-id that contains the file you wish to keep.

git checkout 6a363d8 -- src/MyFile.cs

git checkout my_branch -- src/MyFile.cs

git checkout HEAD -- src/MyFile.cs