Experimental Features

Last updated: May 2025

GitKraken Desktop includes experimental features, which are early previews of in-development functionality. These features may change or be removed in future releases.

Access Experimental Features

To access experimental settings:

Go to Preferences Experimental

Experimental features are optional and can be enabled or disabled at any time. If you experience issues or have feedback, contact support.

Git Executable

This setting allows GitKraken Desktop to use your system’s Git executable instead of NodeGit for core Git operations. It can enhance compatibility and performance.

Enable it from: Preferences > Experimental > Use Git Executable

GitKraken ships with Git built-in, or you can select a system Git path.

Features Using Git Executable

Git actions that currently use the Git executable (by version):

v9.4.0–10.8.0:

Commit, fetch, push, pull
Branch rename/delete, merge base
Tag creation/deletion, revert commits
Cherry-pick, rebase, checkout, clone
Staging, unstaging, stash support
SSH signing, Git Credential Manager
Discard changes, undo/redo, hooks output

See full details per release in the GitKraken Desktop release notes.

Cloud Patches

Watch how to create and apply Cloud Patches in GitKraken.

What Are Cloud Patches?

A Cloud Patch is a Git patch that GitKraken securely stores so you can share it across GitKraken Desktop, GitLens, and CLI. Use them to:

Share work-in-progress with teammates before a pull request
Apply changes across machines or collaborators securely

How to Enable

Cloud Patches require the Git Executable to be enabled (it is by default).

Create a Cloud Patch

Stage files in the Commit Panel.
Click the Cloud Patch icon.

Cloud Patch button in the Commit Panel — Create a Cloud Patch from staged changes.

You can also right-click any commit in the graph and select Share commit as Cloud Patch.

Share and Apply Cloud Patches

Copy the link from the toast or Left Panel
Options:
- Anyone with the link
- Anyone in my org (requires GitKraken login)
- Only selected collaborators (requires login)

Recipients can open the patch and apply it to a selected branch.

Applying a Cloud Patch from shared link — Apply Cloud Patch to a target branch in GitKraken Desktop.

Manage Cloud Patches

To delete a patch, right-click it in the Left Panel and choose Delete Cloud Patch.

Delete Cloud Patch from Left Panel — Manage Cloud Patches via context menu.

Self-Hosting Cloud Patches

You can self-host Cloud Patch data on an AWS S3 instance instead of GitKraken servers. See Security Controls for setup instructions.

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