How do I recover a dropped stash in Git?

To recover a dropped stash in Git, follow these steps using the reflog to locate the lost stash:

1. Find the Dropped Stash in the Reflog

Run the command below to view Git’s reference log, which tracks changes to stashes and branch tips:

git reflog

Look for entries like stash@{n}: WIP on [branch]: [commit-hash] [message] that correspond to your dropped stash.
Example Output:

abc1234 HEAD@{0}: stash drop: Clearing stash
def5678 HEAD@{1}: stash: WIP on main: 1234567 Initial commit

2. Identify the Stash Commit Hash

Note the commit hash (e.g., def5678) of the stash entry you want to recover.

3. Recover the Stash

Use the commit hash to restore the stash in one of two ways:

Option 1: Apply the Stash Directly

git stash apply def5678

This applies the changes directly to your working directory without adding them back to the stash list.

Option 2: Re-Create the Stash Entry

git stash branch recovered-stash def5678

This creates a new branch (recovered-stash) from the stash commit, preserving the changes.

Key Notes

• Act Quickly: Git garbage collection eventually removes unreferenced commits. Recover stashes before they’re pruned.
• Verify Changes: Use git show def5678 to inspect the stash content before applying.
• Alternative for Advanced Users: Use git fsck --unreachable to find dangling commits if the stash isn’t in the reflog.

Example Workflow

1. Accidentally drop a stash:

   git stash drop

2. Find the lost stash:

   git reflog
   # Locate entry: def5678 stash: WIP on main: 1234567 Fix login

3. Restore the stash:

   git stash apply def5678

Summary

Step	Command	Outcome
1. Locate Stash	git reflog	Identify the commit hash of the dropped stash
2. Apply Stash	git stash apply <hash>	Restores changes to working directory
3. (Optional) Recreate Stash	git stash branch <name> <hash>	Saves changes to a new branch

By leveraging Git’s reflog, you can efficiently recover lost stashes before they’re permanently deleted.