Hi programmers,

I work from two computers: a desktop and laptop. I often interrupt my work on one computer and continue on the other, where I don’t have access to uncommitted progress on the first computer. Frustrating!

Potential solution: using git to auto save progress.

I’m posting this to get feedback. Maybe I’m missing something and this is over complicated?

Here is how it could work:

Creating and managing the separate branch

Alias git commands (such as git checkout), such that I am always on a branch called “[branch]-autosave” where [branch] is the branch I intend to be on, and the autosave branch always branches from it. If the branch doesn’t exist, it is always created.

handling commits

Whenever I commit, the auto save branch would be squashed and merged with the underlying branch.

autosave functionality

I use neovim as my editor, but this could work for other editors.

I will write an editor hook that will always pull the latest from the autosave branch before opening a file.

Another hook will always commit and push to origin upon the file being saved from the editor.

This way, when I get on any of my devices, it will sync the changes pushed from the other device automatically.

Please share your thoughts.

  • GetOffMyLan@programming.dev
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    5 days ago

    Honestly I would just commit your in progress work then on the other machine check it out and reset to the previous commit.

    Then you have your in progress work on the new machine with no random commits.

    You could set up an alias that does commit with message “switching machines” and pushes.

    Similar have one that pulls and resets.

    • matcha_addict@lemy.lolOP
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      5 days ago

      That doesn’t solve the problem of forgetting :(

      I could train myself to get in the habit, but maybe auto saving is easier, no?

      • zlatko@programming.dev
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        3 days ago

        I wonder if JJ anonymous branches would be something that solves this. I’ve only read about it, have not used JJ yet.