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How to Stash Changes in GitKraken Desktop

Last updated: March 2026

Use this page to stash, apply, pop, rename, and partially restore uncommitted changes in GitKraken Desktop when you need to switch context without creating a commit. It covers both full stashes and partial file-based stashes, along with the graph and Left Panel workflows for managing them.

Requirements and limits

Workflow scope: Uncommitted local changes only
Apply vs. pop: Apply Stash keeps the stash; Pop Stash applies it and removes it
Partial stash behavior: Applying a single file from a partial stash does not remove the stash
Naming option: Name the stash before creating it by editing the // WIP field or stash summary field
GitKraken AI note: AI-generated stash messages require GitKraken AI to be enabled
Stash visibility: Stashes can be hidden from the graph without being deleted

Action	What it does	Keeps stash entry	Notes
Stash	Saves current uncommitted changes	Yes	Creates a new stash entry
Apply Stash	Restores stashed changes	Yes	Keeps the stash for reuse
Pop Stash	Restores stashed changes	No	Applies and removes the stash
Partial stash	Saves selected files only	Yes	Managed from staged files in the Commit Panel
Apply partial stash file	Restores one file from a partial stash	Yes	Does not remove the stash
Hide stash	Removes stash from graph view only	Yes	Does not delete the stash

Quick Start

To stash all changes: Click the Stash icon in the top toolbar. Your stash appears in the Commit Graph.

To manage a stash: Right-click the stash node in the graph to apply, pop, delete, or hide it. Right-click a stash in the Left Panel for the same options.

To pop the latest stash: Click the Pop Stash button in the toolbar to apply changes and delete the stash in one step.

To name a stash: Type a name into the // WIP field at the top of the graph before clicking Stash.

To stash specific files (partial stash): Stage your files in the Commit Panel, then right-click a file in the Staged Files section and select Stash file.

To apply a partial stash file by file: Select the stash in the graph, then right-click a file in the Commit Panel and choose to apply it. Applying a single file does not remove the stash.

How to stash changes from the top toolbar

Click the Stash icon in the top toolbar to create a new stash.

GitKraken top toolbar with Stash button highlighted — Create a stash from the top toolbar.

Your stash will appear in the Commit Graph. Right-click on the stash node to see available options:

Apply Stash: Apply changes to your working directory and keep the stash.
Pop Stash: Apply changes and remove the stash.
Delete Stash: Permanently remove the stash.
Hide: Hide the stash from the graph.
Hide all stashes: Hide all stashes from the graph.
Show all stashes: Display all hidden stashes.

Right-click stash options menu in GitKraken Desktop showing Apply, Pop, Delete, and visibility controls — Right-click a stash to manage it.

To quickly pop the latest stash, use the Pop Stash button:

Top toolbar in GitKraken Desktop with Pop Stash button highlighted — Use the Pop Stash button for one-click restore and delete.

How to stash changes from the Commit Panel

You can stash changes from the Commit Panel. Stage your files and click the Stash icon (instead of Commit).

Commit Panel's stash tab with input for name and description, and a Stash Changes button — Stage files and click the Stash icon to save changes.

If you use GitKraken AI, click the sparkle icon to auto-generate a stash message based on your staged changes.

GitKraken Stash panel (inside Commit Panel) with tooltip pointing to the AI icon for generating a stash message — Use GitKraken AI to generate a stash description.

How to view and manage stashes from the Left Panel

All your stashes are listed in the Left Panel. Right-click to Apply, Pop, Delete, Hide, or Show them.

Stash management menu in GitKraken's Left Panel showing options like Apply, Pop, Delete, and Share stash — Review and manage your stashes from the Left Panel.

How to name a stash

To give a stash a name, type into the // WIP field at the top of the graph before stashing.

User typing a custom stash name in the GitKraken commit graph WIP node — Enter a custom stash name before saving.

Named stashes are easier to recognize in the Left Panel and commit graph.

Custom-named stash labeled 'my-custom-stash-name' displayed under STASHES in the GitKraken Left Panel on the master branch — Named stash in the Left Panel.

Commit Graph showing a WIP stash labeled 'my-custom-stash-name' created on the master branch. — Named stash in the graph view.

How to edit a stash message

To update a stash description, right-click the stash in the graph or the Left Panel, then select Edit stash message.

Commit Graph showing a stash selected on the feature branch with the context menu open and 'Edit stash message' highlighted. — Edit a stash message from the context menu.

How to create and apply a partial stash

Stash specific files by right-clicking them in the Staged Files panel and selecting Stash file. This clears their changes and saves them to a partial stash.

Context menu showing the option to stash two selected unstaged files from the Commit Panel. — Select individual files to stash partially.

You can also apply changes from a partial stash one file at a time. Right-click a file in the Commit Panel while a stash is selected.

Commit Panel showing context menu option to apply two selected files from stash. — Apply part of a stash by selecting specific files.

Tips for partial stashes

Name a partial stash via the // WIP node or summary field before stashing.
Hold Shift or Ctrl to select multiple files.
Applying a file from a stash doesn’t remove it from the stash.

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