57 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
57 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
---
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stage: Create
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group: Source Code
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info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
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type: reference, concepts
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---
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# Fast-forward merge requests **(FREE)**
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Sometimes, a workflow policy might mandate a clean commit history without
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merge commits. In such cases, the fast-forward merge is the perfect candidate.
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With fast-forward merge requests, you can retain a linear Git history and a way
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to accept merge requests without creating merge commits.
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## Overview
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When the fast-forward merge
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([`--ff-only`](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-merge#git-merge---ff-only)) setting
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is enabled, no merge commits are created and all merges are fast-forwarded,
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which means that merging is only allowed if the branch can be fast-forwarded.
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When a fast-forward merge is not possible, the user is given the option to rebase.
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## Enabling fast-forward merges
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1. Navigate to your project's **Settings** and search for the 'Merge method'
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1. Select the **Fast-forward merge** option
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1. Hit **Save changes** for the changes to take effect
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Now, when you visit the merge request page, you can accept it
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**only if a fast-forward merge is possible**.
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![Fast forward merge request](img/ff_merge_mr.png)
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If a fast-forward merge is not possible but a conflict free rebase is possible,
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a rebase button is offered.
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![Fast forward merge request](img/ff_merge_rebase.png)
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If the target branch is ahead of the source branch and a conflict free rebase is
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not possible, you need to rebase the
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source branch locally before you can do a fast-forward merge.
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![Fast forward merge rebase locally](img/ff_merge_rebase_locally.png)
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<!-- ## Troubleshooting
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Include any troubleshooting steps that you can foresee. If you know beforehand what issues
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one might have when setting this up, or when something is changed, or on upgrading, it's
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important to describe those, too. Think of things that may go wrong and include them here.
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This is important to minimize requests for support, and to avoid doc comments with
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questions that you know someone might ask.
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Each scenario can be a third-level heading, e.g. `### Getting error message X`.
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If you have none to add when creating a doc, leave this section in place
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but commented out to help encourage others to add to it in the future. -->
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