# Git Cheat Sheet : For-each-ref

Git offers commands to manage repository efficiently. Today we will talk about the command `git for-each-ref` . This command is helpful if you are dealing with multiple branches, tags or refs in your repository and need an advance filtering.

## What is `git for-each-ref`?

The command allows you to iterate over and examine refs in your repository. Refs are pointers to commits and are located in directories like `.git/refs/heads` (branches) and `.git/refs/tags` (tags).

## Basic Syntax

```bash
git for-each-ref [<option>] [<ref-path>]
```

* `<option>` : Modify the output format
    
* `<ref-path>` : Specify the category of refs to include. For example:
    
    * `refs/heads/` list branches
        
    * `refs/tags/` list tags
        
    * `refs/remotes/` list remote branches
        

## Use Cases and Examples

1. **List all branches**
    
    ```bash
    git for-each-ref refs/heads/
    ```
    
    This command will display the refs for all local branches.
    
2. **Customizing Output**
    
    Use the `--format` option to control the output. For instance, to display each branch name along with the last commit message:
    
    ```bash
    git for-each-ref refs/heads/ --format="%(refname:short) - %(subject)"
    ```
    
    * `%(refname:short)`: Displays the branch name without the full `refs/heads/` prefix.
        
    * `%(subject)`: Shows the commit message.
        
3. **Sort Branches by Date**
    
    ```bash
    git for-each-ref refs/heads/ --sort=-committerdate --format="%(refname:short) - %(committerdate)"
    ```
    
    `--sort=-committerdate`: Sorts by the committer date in descending order.
    
4. **List Tags with Commit Info**
    
    ```bash
    git for-each-ref refs/tags/ --format="Tag: %(refname:short), Commit: %(objectname), Message: %(subject)"
    ```
    
    `%(objectname)`: Displays the commit ID (hash) associated with the tag.
    

## Formatting Placeholders

Here’s a quick reference for some commonly used placeholders in `--format`:

| **Placeholder** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| `%(refname)` | Full ref name: `refs/heads/main` |
| `%(refname:short)` | Short ref name : `main` |
| `%(objectname)` | SHA-1 of the object the ref points to. |
| `%(authorname)` | Author of the commit |
| `%(authordate)` | Date when the commit was authored |
| `%(subject)` | First line of the commit message |

## Conclusion

This command is helpful when you need advanced customization or insights into your refs. Instead or relying on git branch or git tag commands, for-each-ref will tailor the output to your exact needs.