Pretty Git Diff

A VS Code extension that provides powerful Git comparison tools with an intuitive visual interface.

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✨ Features

📁 File Comparison

Compare any file with versions from different branches or commits with side-by-side diff view.

File Diff Demo

📂 Directory Comparison

Compare entire directories between branches with file status indicators and bulk operations.

Directory Diff Demo

🔄 Apply Changes

Apply changes from any branch or commit directly to your current file.

Key Benefits

  • Smart branch detection: Shows both local and remote branches with clear prefixes
  • Bulk operations: “Get All” option for downloading multiple files at once
  • Intuitive UI: Clean interface with helpful status icons and descriptions
  • Retrieve missing files from remote references
  • Support for nested directory structures

How to Use

📁 Compare Current File

Method 1: Right-click in Editor

  1. Right-click anywhere in the open file
  2. Select Pretty Git Diff: File
  3. Choose reference type (Branches or Commits)
  4. Select branch/commit from the list
  5. View side-by-side comparison with read-only left panel

Method 2: Explorer Context Menu

  1. Right-click on any file in the Explorer
  2. Select Pretty Git Diff: File
  3. Follow steps 3-5 above

📂 Compare Directory

Method 1: Command Palette

  1. Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
  2. Type Pretty Git Diff: Directory
  3. Choose workspace root or select specific folder
  4. Choose reference type (Branches or Commits)
  5. Select branch/commit from the list
  6. Browse files with status indicators:
    • 🆕 New files (available in reference)
    • 📝 Modified files
    • 📄 Local only files
  7. Use “📥 Get All Files” to download multiple files at once

Method 2: Explorer Context Menu

  1. Right-click on any folder in the Explorer
  2. Select Pretty Git Diff: Directory
  3. Follow steps 4-7 above

🔄 Apply Changes to File

  1. Right-click in editor or on file in Explorer
  2. Select Pretty Git Diff: Apply
  3. Choose reference type (Branches or Commits)
  4. Select branch/commit to apply changes from
  5. File content will be completely replaced

🌐 Branch Selection

The extension shows branches with clear prefixes:

  • 📁 local/main - Local branches
  • 🌐 origin/feature-branch - Remote branches
  • 📝 abc1234 - commit message (author) - Recent commits

Requirements

  • Git repository
  • VS Code 1.50.0 or higher

Troubleshooting

No files/directories selected

If you see warnings about no files selected, make sure to:

  • Open a file in the editor before using File commands
  • Open a workspace before using Directory commands from Command Palette
  • Right-click on files/folders in Explorer for context menu access

Not a Git repository

If you see “This project is not a Git repository” error:

  • Initialize Git in your project: git init
  • Clone from a Git repository
  • Open a folder that contains a .git directory

Support

For issues and feature requests, please check the extension’s marketplace page or repository.