The Dreaded 'Stash Your Changes' Error: Why Git Stops You and How to Fix It
Learn why Git forces you to stash or commit before switching branches, and the three safe methods for resolving the conflict like a professional.
The Core Problem: Why Git Says "Stash Your Changes"
When you are deep in a feature and try to run the command git checkout [new-branch], Git often throws an error preventing the switch:
**Note: "Your local changes to the following files would be overwritten by checkout: [list of files]... Please commit your changes or stash them before you switch branches."
This message isn't Git being difficult; it's Git being a vigilant safety mechanism.
The core reason is simple: You have uncommitted changes (files you've edited but haven't run git commit on). If Git allowed you to switch branches with those changes hanging around, your unfinished work would likely be lost or corrupted by the files of the destination branch. Git halts the process to protect your progress.
The Three Safe Methods to Handle Uncommitted Work
When Git flags this issue, you have three primary professional options, each suited for a different scenario.
1. The Clean Way: Commit (When Work is Complete)
If the work you've done is logically finished, ready to be saved, or you know you'll need it later, committing it to the current branch is the cleanest solution.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
git add . | Stages all modified and new files. |
git commit -m "feat: Completed checkout redirect logic" | Creates a permanent, named snapshot of your work on the current branch. |
git checkout [new-branch] | You can now switch safely. |
2. The Interrupt Way: Stash (When You Need a Quick Pause)
Stashing is perfect if you need to quickly interrupt your current task (e.g., a high-priority bug pops up) but your work isn't ready for a proper commit message yet. It moves your changes into a temporary "locker."
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
git stash push -m "WIP: Half-finished cart UI" | Saves all uncommitted changes and reverts your working directory to the last clean commit. |
git checkout [bugfix-branch] | Switch to the new branch to fix the bug. |
git stash pop | Restores the last saved stash state back into your working directory and deletes it from the stash list. |
(When you return to the original branch) Retrieves and re-applies the stashed changes.
3. The Dangerous Way: Discard (When Work is Garbage)
If the changes were purely experimental, accidental, or you genuinely want to throw them away forever, you can discard them. Use this with extreme caution, as it is generally irreversible.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
git restore . | Discards all changes to tracked files in the current directory, reverting them to the last committed state. |
git clean -fd | (Optional, highly destructive): Deletes all untracked files and directories (new files that were never staged). |
git checkout [new-branch] | You can now switch safely. |
Summary of Professional Git Practice
By always keeping your working directory "clean" (through commitment or stashing), you ensure smooth, reliable, and professional branch switching.
Scenario
Recommended Action
I finished a feature or major fix.
Commit (git add . and git commit).
I need to drop everything and jump to a high-priority bug.
Stash (git stash push).
I accidentally edited a file and need to undo it.
Discard (git restore .).