Stack Workflow

LazyJJ provides a complete stack-based workflow for managing commits.

What is a Stack?

A “stack” is a series of commits from where you diverged from trunk to your current position. This model is perfect for:

• Feature development with multiple logical commits
• Stacked pull requests
• Code review workflows

Why Stacks Work Better in JJ

Unlike Git or Graphite, stacks are native to JJ’s model:

• Git: Branches fight the stacking workflow. Rebasing is manual and error-prone. You constantly juggle branch names and worry about detached HEAD states.
• Graphite: Stacks are metadata layered on top of Git. Break the discipline (one commit per branch), and the stack breaks. The “stack” is actually a queue fighting Git’s branch model.
• JJ: Stacks are the natural structure of the commit graph. Edit any commit, descendants automatically rebase. Change IDs provide stable handles. It’s how JJ works, not a layer on top.

Research insight: Graphite’s “stack” metaphor struggles because Git’s branch model wasn’t designed for it. JJ’s change-based model makes stacking natural.

For detailed understanding, see:

• Mental Model guide - Why JJ’s approach works
• Common Mistakes - Pitfalls to avoid

Viewing Stacks

Command	Shortcut	Purpose
stack-view	stack	View current stack with trunk context
stack-files	stackls	Stack with file changes listed
stacks-all	stacks	View all your stacks
stacks-all-files	stacksls	All stacks with file changes

# See your current stack
jj stack-view

# See what files changed in each commit
jj stack-files

# See all your work in progress
jj stacks-all

Navigation

Command	Shortcut	Purpose
stack-top	top	Jump to top of stack
stack-bottom	bottom	Jump to bottom of stack

# Go to the latest commit in your stack
jj stack-top

# Go to the first commit in your stack
jj stack-bottom

Syncing with Trunk

Command	Shortcut	Purpose
stack-sync	sync	Fetch and rebase onto trunk
stack-start	start	Fetch and start fresh from trunk
stack-rebase	restack	Rebase stack onto trunk (no fetch)

# Update your stack with latest trunk
jj stack-sync

# Start a new stack from latest trunk
jj stack-start

# Rebase without fetching
jj stack-rebase

Pushing and Bookmarks

Command	Shortcut	Purpose
stack-submit	ss	Smart push - push stack to remote
bookmark-tug	tug	Move bookmark to parent commit
bookmark-create	create	Create bookmark at parent commit

# Push your stack
jj stack-submit

# Move a bookmark to the previous commit
jj bookmark-tug

# Create a new bookmark at the previous commit
jj bookmark-create my-feature

Cleanup

Command	Shortcut	Purpose
stack-gc	gc	Abandon empty commits in stack

# Clean up empty commits
jj stack-gc

Typical Workflow

# Start fresh from trunk
jj stack-start

# Make your changes, describe them
jj describe -m "Add user authentication"

# Create next commit
jj new

# Make more changes
jj describe -m "Add login form"

# View your stack
jj stack-view

# Sync with trunk if needed
jj stack-sync

# Push for review
jj stack-submit

Working with Multiple Stacks

# See all your stacks
jj stacks-all

# Switch to a specific stack
jj edit <commit-id>

# View that stack
jj stack-view