When should I use git rebase --continue?

Use git rebase --continue after resolving the current conflict and staging resolved files with git add.

When should I use git rebase --abort?

Use git rebase --abort when you want to stop the rebase and return to the branch state before rebase started.

What does git rebase --skip do?

git rebase --skip drops the current commit being replayed and continues with later commits. Use it only if losing that commit is acceptable.

How do I recover if I made the wrong rebase choice?

Use git reflog to locate pre-rebase or in-progress commits, then create a rescue branch or reset to the desired hash.

Git Rebase Abort vs Continue Recovery: Resolve, Skip, or Exit Safely (2026)

Published February 26, 2026 · 9 min read

Need a fast rebase triage workspace? Start in Git troubleshooting tools before deciding to continue or abort.

Need command syntax while conflicts are open? Keep developer cheat sheets and the Git Commands Cheat Sheet visible during recovery.

If your terminal says rebase in progress and you hit conflicts, the safest path is simple: inspect status, resolve and continue, or abort quickly when risk is high. This guide gives exact commands for each choice.

Quick links: Git Rebase Complete Guide · Git Merge Conflicts Guide · Git Reflog Recovery · Fix Non-Fast-Forward Push Rejection

Confirm rebase state
Resolve conflicts and continue
Abort safely
Skip current commit
Recover with reflog
FAQ

1. Confirm rebase state

git status -sb
# shows: "rebase in progress" if active

# optional: list files still conflicted
git diff --name-only --diff-filter=U

Decide now whether you want to finish this rebase or exit. Do not run random reset commands until that choice is clear.

Goal	Command	Effect
Finish rebase after conflicts	`git rebase --continue`	Replays next commit after resolved files are staged
Cancel entire rebase	`git rebase --abort`	Returns branch to state before rebase started
Drop problematic commit and keep going	`git rebase --skip`	Skips current commit being replayed

2. Resolve conflicts and continue

Use this when you want to preserve commit intent and complete the rebase.

# 1) open conflicted files and resolve markers
# <<<<<<<, =======, >>>>>>>

# 2) stage resolved files
git add <resolved-file>
# or stage all resolved files
git add -A

# 3) continue rebase
git rebase --continue

Repeat until done: Rebase may stop multiple times if several commits conflict. Resolve, stage, continue for each stop.

3. Abort safely

Use abort when conflict risk is too high, context changed, or you need to retry with a different strategy.

git rebase --abort

# confirm you are back to normal branch state
git status -sb

After abort, you can fetch, re-check diffs, and retry later with a cleaner base.

4. Skip current commit

Use skip only when dropping the current commit is intentional and verified.

git show REBASE_HEAD --stat
# inspect commit currently being replayed

git rebase --skip

Warning: --skip removes the current commit from the rebased history. If you are unsure, abort first or branch a backup before skipping.

5. Recover if you chose wrong

If you aborted too early, skipped the wrong commit, or ended in confusing history, recover from reflog.

git reflog
# find commit/hash before the mistake

# create backup branch at that point
git switch -c rescue/rebase-recovery <hash>

# or hard-reset current branch if you are certain
git reset --hard <hash>

For deeper recovery patterns, use the full Git Reflog Recovery Guide.

6. FAQ

Why does rebase stop repeatedly?

Each replayed commit can conflict independently. Rebase pauses per commit so you can resolve accurately.

Can I abort after already running continue once?

Yes. If rebase is still in progress, git rebase --abort returns to pre-rebase state.

How can I see which commit is currently causing conflict?

Use git show REBASE_HEAD --stat while rebase is paused.

Is skip safer than abort?

No. Skip changes history by dropping a commit. Abort is usually safer when uncertain.