Introduction

Encountering the "Multiple Merge Bases Detected" warning in a pull request (PR) can be a frustrating situation, potentially causing roadblocks to the merging process. In this article, we will explore an actionable solution to this issue that can be applied to ensure smooth PR reviews and merges.

The Problem

As a developer reviewing a PR created by a team member, you notice a perplexing message: "Multiple Merge Bases Detected. The list of commits displayed might be incomplete or excessive." This warning seems to impede the PR's ability to merge seamlessly into the master branch from the release feature branch.

The Solution

While there are various approaches to address this issue, one proven solution is the strategic use of the "rebase" operation.

How Rebase Resolves the Issue

Follow these steps to navigate through the "Multiple Merge Bases Detected" conundrum:

1. Local Repository Setup: Start by checking out your repository locally using either Git Bash or Terminal, depending on your operating system.

2. Navigate to the Problematic Branch: Move to the specific feature branch that is encountering the "Multiple Merge Bases Detected" warning using the command: git checkout feature_branch.

3. Fetch Remote Changes: Fetch the latest changes from the remote repository to your local branch: git fetch.

4. Rebase with Master: Perform the rebase operation with the master branch, as the goal is to resolve the issue preventing the PR's merge into the master. Use the command: git rebase origin/master.

5. Inspect and Commit Changes: After the rebase operation, your staging area will likely have new commits. Review these changes and commit them using: git commit -m "Rebase with master".

6. Push Changes to Remote: Push the changes to the remote feature branch: git push.

7. Issue Resolved: With the completion of the rebase and pushing the changes to the remote, the PR created from the new feature branch against the master will no longer be affected by the "Multiple Merge Bases Detected" issue.

Conclusion

By implementing the rebase strategy outlined above, you can efficiently address the "Multiple Merge Bases Detected" warning in your pull requests. This approach ensures that your PRs are prepared for smooth merges into the master branch, helping you overcome potential obstacles and streamline the development process. Feel free to adopt this method whenever you encounter a similar challenge, saving valuable time and maintaining the integrity of your version control workflow.