Git Repository Cleanup

Current State

!git branch -a 2>/dev/null | head -30 !git remote -v 2>/dev/null !git stash list 2>/dev/null

Cleanup Steps

Step 1: Identify Merged Branches

List local branches already merged into main/master:

git branch --merged main 2>/dev/null || git branch --merged master 2>/dev/null

Present the list to the user and ask for confirmation before deleting.

Safe to delete (already merged):

git branch -d <branch-name>

Step 2: Identify Stale Remote Branches

Prune remote tracking refs that no longer exist:

git remote prune origin --dry-run

After confirmation:

git remote prune origin

Step 3: Identify Old Unmerged Branches

List branches with no commits in the last 90 days:

git for-each-ref --sort=committerdate --format='%(committerdate:short) %(refname:short)' refs/heads/ | head -20

Never delete unmerged branches without explicit user approval.

Step 4: Clean Up Stashes

List all stashes:

git stash list

For old stashes (>30 days), suggest review and cleanup.

Step 5: Repository Size Analysis

Check for large files:

git rev-list --objects --all | git cat-file --batch-check='%(objecttype) %(objectname) %(objectsize) %(rest)' | sort -k3 -n -r | head -20

Step 6: Garbage Collection

git gc --auto

Output

Cleanup Summary

Branches NOT Deleted (unmerged)

List branches that were skipped with last commit date.

Space Recovered

Before and after repository size (if gc was run).

Rules

• NEVER force-delete (git branch -D) without explicit user confirmation
• NEVER delete main, master, develop, or release branches
• Always show what will be deleted before doing it
• Prefer --dry-run first, then execute