git-show-branch

Show a summary of the latest commit on a branch

$ git show-branch [branch_name|ref|commit]

$ git show-branch [branch_name1|ref1|commit1 branch_name2|ref2|commit2 ...]

$ git show-branch [[-r|--remotes]]

$ git show-branch [[-a|--all]]

$ git show-branch [[-a|--all]] --list

$ git show-branch --current [commit|branch_name|ref]

$ git show-branch --sha1-name --current [current|branch_name|ref]

$ git show-branch --more [5] [branch_name1|ref1|commit1 branch_name2|ref2|commit2 ...]

git show-branch [options] [<rev> ...]

-a, --all
    Show both remote-tracking and local branches.

-r, --remotes
    Show only remote-tracking branches.

--topo-order
    Sort commits by topological order (default).

--date-order
    Sort commits by date.

--current
    Include the current branch.

--sparse
    Omit merged/similar branches from output.

--more=<n>
    Extend output by <n> more commits.

--list
    List branches without commit details.

--independent
    Show only commits unique to each branch.

--merge-base
    Show merge bases instead of branch tips.

--no-name
    Suppress branch names in output.

--sha1-name
    Use full SHA-1 instead of short names.

-t, --topics[=<regex>]
    Show only commits with subjects matching regex.

--reflog[=<n>[,<n>]]
    Show recent reflog entries.

--subject
    Use commit subjects (default).

--body
    Use full commit message body.

--oneline
    Show abbreviated output.

--color[=<when>]
    Enable colored output (auto, always, never).

--no-color
    Disable colored output.

--color-whitespace
    Highlight whitespace errors.

The git show-branch command provides a compact, text-based graphical representation of the commit history across multiple branches. It displays branches as vertical columns and commits as points along a timeline, using ASCII characters to denote branch heads (!), merges (+), and common ancestors. This visualization helps developers quickly identify branch divergences, merges, and the relative positioning of commits without needing graphical tools.

By default, it shows the first few commits where branches differ, but options like --more allow deeper inspection. It's particularly useful for analyzing complex branch topologies, such as feature branches merged into mainlines, or tracking remote vs. local branch states. Compared to git log --graph, it offers a tabular multi-branch view but is less flexible for customization.

Output includes branch names at the top, commit SHAs or subjects below, and markers indicating unique commits per branch. It's efficient for terminal use and scripting, though modern alternatives like git log with --graph have largely superseded it for everyday workflows.

Limited scalability with many branches; output can become cluttered. Largely replaced by git log --graph --oneline for modern use. Does not support decoration or ref tips like newer graph views.

! = branch head
+ = merge point
* = common ancestor
Columns represent branches left-to-right.

git show-branch --all - shows all branches.
git show-branch main feature - compares two branches.

Introduced in early Git (v1.0.13, 2005) by Linus Torvalds as one of the original visualization tools. Designed for quick terminal-based branch analysis before graphical tools proliferated. Evolved minimally; remains stable but sees low active development.

git-log(1), git-branch(1), git-rev-list(1), gitk(1)