linearize

regit linearize [flags]

Flatten merge topology into a clean first-parent chain. Every merge on the current branch is folded into an ordinary commit that lands the side branch's combined changes, so the history reads as a straight line; the resulting trees are preserved byte for byte. The default run previews a fold table showing what each merge becomes.

Flags

Flag	Type	Default	Description
--repo	VALUE	.	Path to the git repository.
--execute	BOOL	false	Apply the linearize (default: dry-run preview).
--force	BOOL	false	Allow rewriting already-pushed commits.
--sign	BOOL	false	Re-sign rewritten commits with your configured signing key.

Examples

Correct:

# preview the fold table (dry-run)
regit linearize

# fold every merge on the branch into ordinary commits
regit linearize --execute

Incorrect:

# BAD: linearize takes no range; it always covers the whole branch
regit linearize HEAD~5..HEAD

Limitations

• Folds the whole current branch; per-merge selection and ranges are not supported.
• Side-branch commits stay reachable from other branches/tags that point at them (advisory in the preview); the fold only rewrites the current branch.
• Octopus merges fold all non-first parents into the one landing commit.
• Side authorship is preserved as Co-authored-by trailers, not as separate commits.
• Previously signed commits lose their signatures unless --sign re-signs them.

Exit codes follow the standard set; exit 0 also covers "nothing to linearize".

Related pages

• squash
• undo
• Configuration