How to Exit git log: A Quick Guide for Beginners

The git log command is a powerful tool for viewing the commit history in a Git repository. It displays essential details such as commit hashes, author names, timestamps, and commit messages. However, many beginners find themselves stuck in the git log interface, unsure how to exit and return to the command prompt.

In this blog, we’ll explain why this happens and how to exit git log like a pro.

Why Does git log Behave This Way?

When you run git log, Git uses a pager program (typically less) to display the log output. A pager is a command-line utility that allows you to view text one screen at a time, especially useful for long logs that don’t fit on the terminal screen.

The less pager runs interactively, and you must use specific keyboard commands to navigate or quit the log view.

How to Exit git log

1. Press the Q Key

To quit the git log output and return to the command prompt:

1. Press Q (uppercase, not case-sensitive in most systems).
2. This immediately closes the pager and brings you back to the terminal.

Tip: This is the most common and straightforward way to exit git log.

Common Navigation Commands in git log

If you want to explore the log output before quitting, here are some helpful commands:

• Scroll down: Press the Space key or the down arrow key.
• Scroll up: Press the B key (for “back”) or the up arrow key.
• Search: Press /, type your search term, and press Enter. Use N to go to the next match and Shift+N to go to the previous match.
• Move to the end: Press G.
• Move to the beginning: Press g.

Once you’ve finished navigating, press Q to exit.

Customizing or Skipping the Pager

1. View the Log Without Using a Pager

If you want the log output to display directly in the terminal (without the interactive pager), use the --no-pager flag:

git --no-pager log  

This shows the log output in a single scrollable view, but you’ll lose the ability to navigate within the log.

2. Configure Git to Use a Different Pager

You can change the default pager to one that fits your preferences or disable it entirely.

• Disable the pager permanently: git config --global pager.log false
• Set a custom pager:
  Replace pager-command with the pager you want to use (e.g., cat to print everything at once). git config --global core.pager pager-command

When to Use git log

The git log command is invaluable when you need to:

• Review the commit history.
• Identify commit hashes for tasks like reverting, cherry-picking, or resetting.
• Track changes over time, including authorship and commit messages.

By learning how to navigate and exit git log efficiently, you’ll get more value from your version control workflow.

Conclusion

Exiting git log is as simple as pressing the Q key, but understanding why this happens and how to navigate the log can make you more comfortable with Git’s command-line tools. Use the additional tips and customizations mentioned in this guide to enhance your Git experience and avoid frustration in the future.