lsremote

lsremote is a command-line utility found in Git, a distributed version control system. Its primary function is to fetch information about remote repositories. When executed, lsremote contacts one or more remote repositories and retrieves details about the branches and tags that exist within them. It does not download any actual project code or change the local repository's state.

The output of lsremote typically lists the references (like branches and tags) in the remote repository and the corresponding commit hashes. This information is crucial for understanding what other developers are working on or what versions of the project are available remotely. For instance, it can show you the latest commit on the 'main' branch of a remote repository.

lsremote is often used in conjunction with other Git commands. For example, before fetching updates from a remote repository, a developer might use lsremote to see what new branches or commits are available. It can also be used to verify the existence of a remote repository or to check the exact commit hash associated with a specific remote branch or tag. The command can be pointed to a specific remote, or it can query all configured remotes.