> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ploegert.gitbook.io/til/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ploegert.gitbook.io/til/tools/git/interactively-unstage-changes.md).

# Interactively Unstage Changes

I often use `git add --patch` to interactively stage changes for a commit. Git takes me through changes to tracked files piece by piece to check if I want to stage them. This same interactive *staging* of files can be used in reverse when removing changes from the index. Just add the `--patch` flag.

You can use it for a single file

```bash
$ git reset --patch README.md
```

or you can let it operate on the entire repository

```bash
$ git reset --patch
```

This is useful when you've staged part of a file for a commit and then realize that some of those changes shouldn't be committed.