git-for-each-ref

List all refs (branches and tags)

$ git for-each-ref

$ git for-each-ref refs/heads/

$ git for-each-ref refs/tags/

$ git for-each-ref --merged HEAD refs/heads/

$ git for-each-ref --format "%(refname:short)"

$ git for-each-ref --sort -committerdate

$ git for-each-ref --sort committerdate

$ git for-each-ref --count [count]

git for-each-ref [options...] [pattern...]

--format=<format>
    Specify custom format string with placeholders like %(refname).

--sort=<key>[,key...]
    Sort by key(s); - prefix for descending (e.g., -committerdate).

--count[=<n>]
    Limit to first n results, adds legend header.

--no-legend
    Suppress legend with --count.

--color[=<when>]
    Enable auto/diff/always/never coloring.

--no-color
    Disable all coloring.

--omit-empty
    Skip refs where format yields empty output.

--shell
    Quote output for safe shell eval.

--perl
    Quote for Perl eval.

--python
    Quote for Python eval.

--ruby
    Quote for Ruby eval.

--tcl
    Quote for Tcl eval.

--merged[=<object>]
    Limit to refs merged into given object.

--no-merged[=<object>]
    Exclude refs merged into object.

--points-at[=<object>]
    Limit to refs pointing at object.

--contains[=<object>]
    Limit to refs whose commits contain object.

--no-contains[=<object>]
    Exclude refs containing object.

--rerere-byref
    Only refs/rerere/ refs.

--glob=<glob>
    Only refs matching glob pattern.

--references
    Dereference symbolic refs.

--no-references
    Don't dereference symrefs.

--heads
    Only refs/heads refs.

--tags
    Only refs/tags refs.

--remotes
    Only refs/remotes refs.

--all
    Scan refs/ and packed refs.

git for-each-ref is a versatile Git porcelain command for listing and formatting repository references, including branches, tags, remote-tracking branches, and notes.

It processes each matching ref according to user-defined criteria, making it ideal for scripting, generating custom outputs, or querying ref properties without parsing git show-ref or similar.

By default, it prints the SHA-1 object name followed by the refname. Using --format, users specify placeholders like %(refname:short) for short branch names, %(subject) for commit subjects, or %(committerdate:format:%c) for formatted dates. Sorting via --sort orders output by keys such as committerdate (prefix - for descending). Filters like --merged, --contains, and --points-at select refs based on commit history relationships.

Quoting options (--shell, --perl, etc.) prepare output for safe evaluation in scripts. Color support enhances readability. Patterns limit scope, e.g., refs/heads/ for local branches.

This command powers many Git porcelain interfaces and is efficient for large repos due to packed ref support with --all. It's essential for advanced ref manipulation beyond basic listing tools.

Format placeholders are extensive but version-specific; test in scripts. Large repos may slow without patterns/filters. History filters (--contains etc.) traverse commits, potentially expensive.

%(refname): full name; %(refname:short): short; %(objectname:short): short SHA; %(committerdate:relative): relative date; %(subject): commit subject.
Full list via git for-each-ref --format='%(help)'.

git for-each-ref --sort=-committerdate --format='%(color:yellow)%(refname:short)%(color:reset) %(color:green)%(committerdate:relative)%(color:reset)' refs/heads/
Sorted local branches with colors and relative dates.

Introduced in Git 1.5.4 (Feb 2007) as basic ref lister. Gained --format in 1.6.0 (2008), sorting/filters in 1.6.3+, quoting styles in 1.7+, colors in 1.7.2+. Continuously expanded for scripting power.

git-show-ref(1), git-branch(1), git-tag(1), git-ls-remote(1)