`gh stack checkout` reports "Local stack matches remote" without comparing local branch refs
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Descrição
## Summary
`gh stack checkout` reports `✓ Local stack matches remote` when a local branch has diverged from its remote counterpart. It appears to compare its recorded state against the remote, and never against the actual local branch refs — so a local branch that has moved is invisible to the check.
```
$ git rev-parse --short=10 stack-b-two # local
df863cea57
$ git rev-parse --short=10 origin/stack-b-two # remote, one commit ahead
41fd74d3ae
$ gh stack checkout 6
✓ Local stack matches remote — switching to branch (stack #6)
ℹ Already on stack-b-two
$ gh stack view --short # no warning, no ⚠ Needs rebase
Stack #6
» stack-b-two ○ #5 (current)
├ stack-b-one ○ #4
└ main
```
The extension's own state file held the **correct** value the whole time:
```
$ jq -r '.stacks[].branches[] | select(.branch=="stack-b-two") | .head' .git/gh-stack
41fd74d3ae... # matches the remote; the local ref is what diverged
```
So this is not stale metadata. Recorded state and remote agreed, the local ref disagreed with both, and nothing compared against it.
## Why this matters
This is the reassurance a user sees immediately before #380 destroys their work. In that state `gh stack push` rewinds the remote branch and the commits become unreachable — and if the branch loses its only commit, GitHub auto-closes the PR with no files. The sequence is:
```
gh stack checkout -> "✓ Local stack matches remote"
gh stack push -> "✓ Pushed N branches" (remote commits gone, PR closed)
```
Fixing #380 addresses the destruction. Fixing this addresses the false confidence that leads someone to run the command in the first place.
## How a local branch gets behind
Anything not mediated by the extension. A plain `git fetch` after a colleague pushes; CI committing to the PR head branch (the trigger in #380); or building a change in a `git worktree` and pushing it with `git push origin :`, which moves the remote and leaves the local branch untouched.
## Reproduction
Against a stack whose branches are in sync:
```bash
git switch
git reset --hard HEAD~1 # simulate the local branch falling behind
gh stack checkout # -> "✓ Local stack matches remote"
gh stack view --short # -> no warning
```
Public repo with two stacks set up for this: https://github.com/xn/gh-stack-repro
## Expected
Compare recorded/remote heads against the actual local branch refs. On divergence, say so and name the fix (`git branch -f origin/`), rather than reporting a match.
A `gh stack status` / `gh stack doctor` surfacing per-branch local-vs-remote drift would cover the general case, since plain git will always be able to desync the extension's state.
## Environment
- `gh` 2.97.0
- `gh-stack` v0.1.0
- git 2.50.1
- macOS 26.4.1, darwin/arm64
## Related
- #380 — the data loss this false reassurance leads into.
- #193 — handling rebases performed outside `gh stack`; same general gap (external git operations invisible to the extension).
Guia de contribuição
Direção de pesquisa
Comece pelo comando `gh stack checkout` e acompanhe a verificação que informa `Local stack matches remote`; execute a reprodução fornecida depois de mover uma referência de branch local com `git reset --hard`. Está concluído quando o comando compara os heads registrados ou remotos com as refs locais reais, avisa sobre divergências e indica a correção sugerida com `git branch -f`.
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Avaliação
- Stack de tecnologia
- git, go
- Domínio
- cli
- Tipo de issue
- Bug
- Dificuldade
- 3/5
- Tempo estimado
- 1-2 dias
- Status de atividade
- Pouca atividade
- Clareza
- Razoavelmente clara
- Facilidade para iniciantes
- 55/100