Is it possible to remove specific text patterns like API keys?

Yes, the skill supports regex-based content replacement using an expressions file to redact secrets or specific strings across the entire commit history.

Can I use this on an existing repository clone?

Yes, while git-filter-repo prefers fresh clones, this skill provides the necessary commands to work on existing clones using the --force and --partial flags safely.

How does this skill ensure my data is safe?

It enforces a 'Backup-Verify-Cleanup' pattern and mandates the --partial flag, which preserves the reflog, allowing you to recover your original state if needed before a force push.

What happens after I rewrite my history?

You will need to force-push the changes (ideally with --force-with-lease) and all collaborators must re-clone or reset their branches to sync with the new history.

Why use git-filter-repo instead of git-filter-branch?

Git-filter-repo is 10-50x faster, actively maintained, and avoids the many 'gotchas' and history mangling common with the deprecated filter-branch tool.

Git History Rewriter

Name: Git History Rewriter
Author: cowwoc

bycowwoc

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Developer Tools

Rewrites Git history safely and efficiently using git-filter-repo to remove sensitive data, large files, or restructure repositories.

About

The Git History Rewriter skill empowers Claude to perform complex repository cleanup tasks using git-filter-repo, the modern and safer alternative to git-filter-branch. It streamlines sensitive data removal (like API keys), handles repository restructuring, and reduces repository size by stripping large blobs, all while enforcing a strict 'Backup-Verify-Cleanup' safety pattern. By mandating the --partial flag and providing clear recovery steps, it ensures that history modifications are reversible until verified, preventing accidental data loss during critical maintenance operations.

Key Features

Modern git-filter-repo implementation for 10-50x faster performance over legacy tools
Advanced path renaming and repository restructuring across all commits
2 GitHub stars
Regex-based content replacement for redacting secrets and sensitive strings
Safety-first 'Backup-Verify-Cleanup' pattern to prevent irreversible data loss
Selective history filtering to remove specific files, directories, or large blobs

Use Cases

Moving or renaming directories globally while preserving Git history
Removing accidentally committed credentials or API keys from a public repository
Reducing repository size by stripping large binary files from the history

About

Key Features

Modern git-filter-repo implementation for 10-50x faster performance over legacy tools
Advanced path renaming and repository restructuring across all commits
2 GitHub stars
Regex-based content replacement for redacting secrets and sensitive strings
Safety-first 'Backup-Verify-Cleanup' pattern to prevent irreversible data loss
Selective history filtering to remove specific files, directories, or large blobs

Use Cases

Moving or renaming directories globally while preserving Git history
Removing accidentally committed credentials or API keys from a public repository
Reducing repository size by stripping large binary files from the history