Changelist Management

Use the query_changelists, modify_changelists, query_shelves, and modify_shelves tools to manage P4 changelists and shelved files.

Querying Changelists

Modifying Changelists

Querying Shelves

Modifying Shelves

Common Workflows

Make and submit a change

1. modify_changelists → create a pending changelist
2. modify_files → edit (or add/delete) to open files for edit in the changelist
3. modify_changelists → submit to commit the change

Shelve work in progress

1. modify_changelists → create a pending changelist
2. modify_files → edit to open files
3. modify_shelves → shelve to store changes server-side
4. modify_files → revert local copies (shelve is preserved)

Resume shelved work

1. query_shelves → list to find your shelved changelists
2. modify_shelves → unshelve to restore files to your workspace
3. Continue editing, then modify_changelists → submit

Organize files across changelists

1. query_changelists → list with status=pending to see your open changelists
2. modify_changelists → move_files to reorganize files between changelists

Best Practices

• Always provide a meaningful description when creating changelists.
• Shelve before sharing work with others (e.g., for code review).
• Use query_shelves → diff to verify shelved content before unshelving.
• Submit changelists promptly to avoid long-lived pending changes.
• Use move_files to keep changelists focused on a single logical change.