Move a branch ref to a specific commit hash.
Section: Recovering Branches and HEAD States
Restore a branch ref manually
bash
bash
git update-ref refs/heads/feature <commit_sha>Explanation
Low-level but useful when you know the exact target and want to repair a ref directly.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Recovering Branches and HEAD States
Search reflog for deleted branch tips
Find likely commit hashes for branch recovery.
Switch to a reflog entry in detached HEAD
Inspect a previous HEAD state without changing refs.
Recover work into a new branch
Create a new branch from a reflog entry without moving current branch yet.
Restore branch to a reflog entry
Move the current branch back to a previous recorded state.