reset --soft vs --mixed vs --hard

git reset moves HEAD — and optionally the index and working tree — to a target commit. The three modes differ only in how far that movement ripples.

The three pointers

Git tracks your project through three distinct layers: HEAD (the current commit pointer), the index (what’s staged for the next commit), and the working tree (your actual files on disk).

TerminalSalin
git reset --soft  HEAD~1   # moves HEAD only
git reset --mixed HEAD~1   # moves HEAD + unstages changes (default)
git reset --hard  HEAD~1   # moves HEAD + discards all local changes

Use --soft when you want to recommit with a different message. Use --mixed when you want to re-stage selectively. Reserve --hard for when you truly want to throw away work — it cannot be undone without the reflog.