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Understanding Jujutsu Working Copy Snapshots

Manage Jujutsu working-copy snapshots with automatic pre-command snapshotting and evolog tracking.

78|6|Updated May 19, 2017
Search Tags:#restore#jujutsu#snapshots#jj#version-control#evolog#working-copy
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/edmundmiller/dotfiles --skill understanding-jujutsu-working-copy-snapshots
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Understanding Jujutsu Working Copy Snapshots
Source: https://github.com/edmundmiller/dotfiles/tree/main/config/claude/plugins/jj/skills/jj-working-copy-snapshots
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/edmundmiller/dotfiles --skill understanding-jujutsu-working-copy-snapshots

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Jujutsu automatically snapshots your working directory before every command, creating an automatic safety net so you can recover your work even if you switch tasks or abandon changes mid-work.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Automatic snapshotting: The working directory is saved as a new version of the current change before every jj command.
  • Evolution viewing: Use jj evolog to see how a change evolved (including amendments and snapshots) across time.
  • Safe recovery: Restore previous states with jj restore --from <commit-id>, or review changes with jj log/jj diff.
  • Work isolation: Stack work with jj new to create separate snapshots for experiments without disturbing your main work.

Quick Start

In your terminal, try:

  • Run jj status to see what's in the current working-copy snapshot (@)
  • Run jj evolog to inspect the evolution of the current change
  • Make changes and run jj new to create a new snapshot for ongoing work
  • If needed, restore from a previous snapshot: jj restore --from <commit-id>

Frequently Asked Questions about Understanding Jujutsu Working Copy Snapshots

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I recover work I accidentally overwrote in Jujutsu?▼

Jujutsu automatically snapshots your working directory before every command, creating a safety net for recovery. Use `jj evolog` to view the evolution of changes, then restore a previous state with `jj restore --from <commit-id>` to recover overwritten work.

What is automatic snapshotting in version control and why does Jujutsu use it?▼

Automatic snapshotting saves your working directory as a new version before each jj command executes. This prevents data loss when switching tasks, abandoning changes mid-work, or running commands that modify your state.

How do I view the history of changes to a single commit in Jujutsu?▼

Use `jj evolog` to inspect how a change evolved over time, including all amendments and snapshots. This shows the complete evolution tracking of a commit across operations and working-copy modifications.

Can I isolate experimental work without affecting my main changes in Jujutsu?▼

Yes, use `jj new` to stack work and create separate snapshots for experiments. This isolates your experimental changes from your main work, allowing you to maintain multiple lines of work safely.

How do I configure which files Jujutsu tracks for automatic snapshots?▼

Configure auto-track behavior through Jujutsu configuration files to control file-tracking and ignore rules. This lets you set which files are included in automatic pre-command snapshotting and working-copy management.

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