I spent two months optimizing my Git client

Hacker News

Last year I released Retcon, a Git GUI specifically made for rewriting history. Think `git rebase -i`, but with all the friction removed: no need to stash changes, a single undo command that works in any situation, and the ability to make changes even when there are conflicts. (so a bit of an alternative take on jj, that's more Git-compatible and comes with less mental load, but has its own tradeoffs) Today I'm releasing version 1.4, which has basically one difference: everything is much faster. The app handles histories with hundreds of thousands of commits now, where before it'd freeze for seconds just trying to open these repos. So it's exactly the same thing as before, just much more pleasant to use, and usable on vastly larger repos. I'm planning to write a series of blog posts of all the different optimizations once I've had time to rest, but in the meantime, I wanted to show the result of these efforts! If you're interested, the linked page has a couple of graphs showing some specific speed measurements.

Visit product View on Hacker NewsAug 19, 2025

Share card

Actual performance

1points

Did not reach leaderboard

Launch Intel predictions

Analyze your own launch →

Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: single, open · Missing: mac, agents, macos

86%86% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.

Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Strong signals: compatible · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

78%78% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released

59%59% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Strong signals: month · Missing: mobile apps, ios, personal

42%42% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

AppSumoMay struggle as an AppSumo deal · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive

30%30% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue

17%17% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

0%0% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Incorrect prediction on native model

Similar products

November 2020: Four Months of Notado48%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

November 2020: Four Months of Notado

Hacker News10

Millionshort, 3 months later66%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Millionshort, 3 months later

Hacker News22

A chat client built on git56%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

A chat client built on git

Hacker News81

TinyGit – a simple macOS Git client56%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

TinyGit – a simple macOS Git client

Hacker News3

Fufu – an opinionated Git client inspired by Jujutsu58%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Fufu – an opinionated Git client inspired by Jujutsu

Hacker News1

New free Git Mac client with full undo/redo58%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

New free Git Mac client with full undo/redo

Hacker News14

Client-side encryption for git51%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Client-side encryption for git

Hacker News1

Git Shirt on Teespring62%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Git Shirt on Teespring

Hacker News2

GitRap, abusing Git62%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

GitRap, abusing Git

Hacker News9

Suicide Git62%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Suicide Git

Hacker News1

Browse all products Analyze your launch