GitKraken Desktop Documentation

Edit and Save Files in GitKraken Desktop

Last updated: June 2025

Learn how to edit, save, and manage files using GitKraken Desktop’s built-in editor.


Enter Edit Mode Automatically

If you create a new file, GitKraken Desktop opens the file immediately in edit mode so you can begin editing right away.


Ways to Edit an Existing File

1. Use the Context Menu

Right-click a file (from a previous commit or via View all files) and select Edit file.

Context menu to edit a file
Right-click any file and select Edit file.

2. Use the Command Palette

  1. Press Ctrl/Cmd + P
  2. Type Edit File and press Enter
  3. Type the filename and press Enter
Use Command Palette to open a file for editing
Find and open files using the Command Palette.

3. Use the Diff or File View

Click the button from a file diff.

Editing a file from Diff view
Click Edit this file from the Diff/File view panel.

Note: If viewing a file on a different branch, the button will read Edit in working directory. It opens the file version from your current branch.


File Edit Indicators

The upper-left corner of the file editor shows:

  • editable tag: Indicates the file can be modified
  • blue dot: Indicates unsaved changes
Editable tag indicator
The file editor shows editable state.
Unsaved changes indicated by a blue dot
Unsaved changes are indicated with a blue dot.

Save or Discard Changes

  • Press Ctrl/Cmd + S to save
  • To discard unsaved changes:
    1. Hover over the blue dot
    2. Click the X
    3. Select Don't Save
Prompt to discard changes
Prompt to discard unsaved changes.

Stage Your File Edits

After editing, click to commit your changes. Options include:

  • Save and stage
  • Stage saved changes only
Save and stage file options
Save and stage or stage only saved changes.

File Encoding

GitKraken Desktop expects most files to use UTF-8 encoding. To review or adjust encoding:

  • Use the dropdown at the top of the editor
  • Visit Preferences > Encoding
  • Or select Guess Encoding to let GitKraken match it automatically
File encoding option in editor
Encoding dropdown available from file editor.

Note: GitKraken Desktop does not change a file’s encoding upon save. Use an external editor like VS Code if you need to convert encodings.

File encoding selection from preferences
Choose your default encoding from preferences.
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