# History & the graph

The Git module opens on the history of the repository in the current tab: one row per commit, with the branch graph
beside the message. tratto asks Git for the history through its own core, a separate program, so a long history stays
responsive.

![The history and the graph in the Git module](/img/view-history-1800.webp)

## Reading the graph

Each commit sits on a lane of the graph, and merges are drawn where the lanes meet.

- **Commits that exist only on a remote** are dimmed, row and graph node.
- **Commits you have not pushed yet** get a tinted message and an "ahead" mark.
- **A merge can be folded.** Click the graph node of a merge to fold or unfold the side it brought in.

**View › Close or Open the Graph** hides the graph column and brings it back.

## Filtering what you see

The filter bar above the list sets the scope of the history:

- **All**, **HEAD**, **one branch**, or **Smart**. Smart shows HEAD, its upstream, the branch it is based on and the
  local branches that track that base. **View › Smart Branch Visibility** turns it on and off.
- **First parent** only, remote branches on or off, order by date or topology, and the row density.
- **Jump to** moves to a branch or tag.

## Searching for a commit

The **Commit…** field of the filter bar finds a commit by its id or by words in its message.

## Columns

The columns are refs, graph, message, author, date and SHA. Right-click the header to move, resize, show or hide a
column, switch to the compact graph or turn Smart on. **View › Reset Columns to Default Layout** and **Reset Columns
to Compact Layout** bring back one of the two presets; Compact hides author, date and SHA.

The layout itself is a data file, `history_columns.json`: see [UI as data](/docs/customize/ui-as-data).

## Not built yet

Some View menu items are greyed out because they are not built yet: Collapse All Merges, Show HEAD, Hide Tags, Hide
Stashes, Lost Commits, Filter by Active Branch, Uncommitted Changes and All Commits. Until then, fold merges one at a
time from the graph, and use the HEAD or branch scope of the filter bar.