SayDeploy Plain comparisons of developer tools, AI coding tools included

How to spot uncommitted changes at a glance for code reviewers

Learn how code reviewers can identify uncommitted changes across many repositories and compare tools that show pending edits.

By SayDeploy ยท

SayDeploy is published by LunarWerx, which makes some of the tools compared here.

Spot uncommitted changes by keeping each reviewed repository cloned locally, tracking its branch and changed file count, comparing local commits with the remote, and using a tool that shows diffs at a glance.

OptionWhat it doesCost
RepoYetiShows the branch, number of changed files and ahead and behind count for every repository under the folders you add, updating as files change, and shows diffs in the Monaco editor. [1] [1]Free for noncommercial use; commercial use costs US$79 per machine running the daemon, a perpetual licence with 12 months of updates. [1]
Git command lineReports the state of a repository and shows the changes in its files, one repository at a time.not published
IDE built in diff viewShows uncommitted changes inside the development environment, usually for a single repository.not published

What you need before you start

Before spotting uncommitted changes, make sure each repository is cloned locally and has a clear way of showing its state. Check that the Git client or review tool can read the folders without permission errors. Decide which repositories belong to the review so attention stays on the ones that matter. Keep track of the branch each repository is on, since ahead and behind numbers only compare the same branch on the local and remote sides. A simple naming system for repositories and branches helps when many windows are open. It also helps to know how each repository reports changes, such as through status output or a dashboard, and how to open its diff quickly. Preparing this information first makes it easier to choose between the command line, an editor, or a management tool, and keeps the review from starting on the wrong assumptions.

Step by step

  1. List every repository under review and note the branch each one is on, so local and remote states can be compared.
  2. Open the repositories and confirm that each working tree contains only the changes intended for review.
  3. Check the status of each repository: which files have changed and whether any commits exist that have not been pushed to the remote.
  4. Keep each repository easy to identify, with clear names or folders, so a change can be traced to the right project.
  5. Compare the local branch with the remote to see how many commits are ahead and how many are behind.
  6. Open the actual diffs of changed files instead of relying on file counts alone, so subtle edits are not missed.
  7. Record the findings in review notes so the same setup can be repeated for the next review session.
  8. Automate the routine only after the manual check works, so the process stays understandable and nothing is hidden.

Tools that can do it

RepoYeti is made by the team that publishes this site. RepoYeti shows the branch, number of changed files and ahead and behind count for every repository under the folders you add, and updates when files change on disk. [1] It shows diffs between HEAD and the working tree in the Monaco editor, the editor used in VS Code, side by side or inline, and lets you edit and save files. [1] Before a pull, RepoYeti shows the incoming commits, the files they touch and any conflicts they would cause. [1] You can select many repositories and pin, star, hide, remove, pull or push them all at once. [1]

The Git command line is another option. It can report the state of a repository and show the changes in its files, one repository at a time. IDE built in diff views show uncommitted changes inside the development environment and can be useful when a single project is under review. Other tools may offer different ways to display repository state. Check the features, setup style and operating system support before choosing a tool for a specific workflow.

Common mistakes to avoid

Starting a review without confirming which branch each repository is on can make ahead and behind numbers misleading. Relying only on changed file counts can miss subtle edits that appear in the diff. Using bulk actions without first verifying that the selected repositories are the ones intended can apply changes to the wrong projects. Relying on a single view without checking how it reports errors can leave information incomplete when something fails. Overlooking permission or authentication issues can hide remote status entirely. Test the setup after any change so the routine stays reliable.

Frequently asked questions

How can code reviewers spot uncommitted changes across many repos at once?

Code reviewers can add multiple repository folders to a dashboard that lists each repository's branch, changed file count and ahead and behind status, then open a diff view for any repository that needs a closer look. A consolidated view cuts the time spent switching between terminals or editor windows during a review.

What does ahead or behind mean for a local repository?

Ahead means commits that exist locally but not on the remote, while behind shows commits on the remote that have not been pulled locally. Seeing both numbers helps reviewers understand how synchronized a repository is before approving or merging changes, and clarifies which changes still need attention.

Is RepoYeti free for code reviewers?

RepoYeti is free for noncommercial use. [1] Commercial use costs US$79 per machine running the daemon, a perpetual licence with 12 months of updates. [1] Reviewers can weigh it against the command line and editor views when choosing how to review repositories.

Can uncommitted changes be edited directly from a diff view?

The diff view uses the Monaco editor, the same editor used in VS Code, and lets reviewers edit and save files. This can be useful for quick fixes during a review session. [1]

What should reviewers check before choosing a tool for spotting changes?

Check whether a tool shows branch information, changed file counts, ahead and behind status, and a clear diff view. Also verify platform support, installation simplicity, and whether bulk actions are needed for large collections of repositories. Comparing these factors helps reviewers choose a workflow that matches how they review code.

Free for noncommercial use; commercial use costs US$79 per installation (per machine running the daemon), a perpetual licence with 12 months of updates. [1]

Try RepoYeti

Sources

  1. RepoYeti's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

Related comparisons