B4(5)

NAME
B4 - Work with code submissions in a public-inbox archive

SYNOPSIS

b4 {mbox,am,shazam,pr,diff,ty,kr,prep,send,trailers} [options]

DESCRIPTION

This is a helper utility to work with patches and pull requests made available via a public-inbox archive like lore.kernel.org. It is written to make it easier to participate in a patch-based workflows, like those used in the Linux kernel development.

The name "b4" was chosen for ease of typing and because B-4 was the precursor to Lore and Data in the Star Trek universe.

Full documentation is available on https://b4.docs.kernel.org/.

SUBCOMMANDS

Maintainer-oriented:

•   mbox: Download a thread as an mbox file

•   am: Create an mbox file that is ready to git-am

•   shazam: Apply patch series to git repositories

•   pr: Work with pull requests

•   diff: Show range-diff style diffs between patch versions

•   ty: Create templated replies for processed patches and pull requests

•   kr: (EXPERIMENTAL) Operate on patatt-compatible keyrings

    Contributor-oriented:

•   prep: (EXPERIMENTAL) prepare your series for submission

•   send: (EXPERIMENTAL) send your series for review on distribution lists

•   trailers: (EXPERIMENTAL) retrieve and apply code-review trailers

OPTIONS

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-d, --debug
    Add more debugging info to the output (default: False)

-q, --quiet
    Output critical information only (default: False)

-n, --no-interactive
    Do not ask any interactive questions (default: False)

--offline-mode
    Do not perform any network queries (default: False)

--no-stdin
    Disable TTY detection for stdin (default: False)

SUBCOMMAND OPTIONS

  b4 mbox

This command allows retrieving entire threads from a remote public-inbox instance. The resulting mbox file can then be opened with most MUA clients for actions like replying to conversations or reviewing patch submissions.

usage:
    b4 mbox [-h] [-p USEPROJECT] [-m LOCALMBOX] [-C] [-o OUTDIR] [-c] [-n WANTNAME] [-M] [-f] [msgid]

positional arguments:
    msgid Message ID to process, or pipe a raw message

options:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-p USEPROJECT, --use-project USEPROJECT
    Use a specific project instead of default (linux-mm, linux-hardening, etc)

-m LOCALMBOX, --use-local-mbox LOCALMBOX
    Instead of grabbing a thread from lore, process this mbox file (or - for stdin)

--stdin-pipe-sep STDIN_PIPE_SEP
    When accepting messages on stdin, split using this pipe separator string

-C, --no-cache
    Do not use local cache

--single-message
    Only retrieve the message matching the msgid and ignore the rest of the thread

-o OUTDIR, --outdir OUTDIR
    Output into this directory (or use - to output mailbox contents to stdout)

-c, --check-newer-revisions
    Check if newer patch revisions exist

-n WANTNAME, --mbox-name WANTNAME
    Filename to name the mbox destination

-M, --save-as-maildir
    Save as maildir (avoids mbox format ambiguities)

-f, --filter-dupes
    When adding messages to existing maildir, filter out duplicates

-r MBOX, --refetch MBOX
    Refetch all messages in specified mbox with their original headers

    Example: b4 mbox 20200313231252.64999-1-keescook@chromium.org

  b4 am

This command allows retrieving threads from a public-inbox instance and preparing them for applying to a git repository using the "git am" command. It will automatically perform the following operations:

•   pick the latest submitted version of the series (it can check for newer threads using -c as well)

•   check DKIM signatures and patatt attestation on all patches and code review messages

•   collate all submitted code-review trailers (Reviewed-by, Acked-by, etc) and put them into the commit message

•   add your own Signed-off-by trailer (with -s)

•   reroll series from partial updates (e.g. someone submits a v2 of a single patch instead of rerolling the entire series)

•   guess where in the tree history the patches belong, if the exact commit-base is not specified (with -g)

•   prepare the tree for a 3-way merge (with -3)

•   cherry-pick a subset of patches from a large series (with -P)

usage:
    b4 am [-h] [-p USEPROJECT] [-m LOCALMBOX] [-C] [-o OUTDIR] [-c] [-n WANTNAME] [-M] [-v WANTVER] [-t] [-S] [-T] [-s] [-l] [-P CHERRYPICK] [--cc-trailers] [--no-parent] [--allow-unicode-control-chars] [-Q] [-g] [-b GUESSBRANCH [GUESSBRANCH ...]] [--guess-lookback GUESSDAYS] [-3] [--no-cover] [--no-partial-reroll] [msgid]

positional arguments:
    msgid Message ID to process, or pipe a raw message

options:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-p USEPROJECT, --use-project USEPROJECT
    Use a specific project instead of default (linux-mm, linux-hardening, etc)

-m LOCALMBOX, --use-local-mbox LOCALMBOX
    Instead of grabbing a thread from lore, process this mbox file (or - for stdin)

--stdin-pipe-sep STDIN_PIPE_SEP
    When accepting messages on stdin, split using this pipe separator string

-C, --no-cache
    Do not use local cache

--single-message
    Only retrieve the message matching the msgid and ignore the rest of the thread

-o OUTDIR, --outdir OUTDIR
    Output into this directory (or use - to output mailbox contents to stdout)

-c, --check-newer-revisions
    Check if newer patch revisions exist

-n WANTNAME, --mbox-name WANTNAME
    Filename to name the mbox destination

-M, --save-as-maildir
    Save as maildir (avoids mbox format ambiguities)

--single-message
    Only retrieve the message matching the msgid and ignore the rest of the thread

-v WANTVER, --use-version WANTVER
    Get a specific version of the patch/series

-S, --sloppy-trailers
    Apply trailers without email address match checking

-T, --no-add-trailers
    Do not add or sort any trailers

-s, --add-my-sob
    Add your own signed-off-by to every patch

-l, --add-link
    Add a Link: with message-id lookup URL to every patch

-P CHERRYPICK, --cherry-pick CHERRYPICK
    Cherry-pick a subset of patches (e.g. "-P 1-2,4,6-", "-P _" to use just the msgid specified, or "-P globbing" to match on commit subject)

--cc-trailers
    Copy all Cc'd addresses into Cc: trailers

--no-parent
    Break thread at the msgid specified and ignore any parent messages

--allow-unicode-control-chars
    Allow unicode control characters (very rarely legitimate)

-Q, --quilt-ready
    Save patches in a quilt-ready folder

-g, --guess-base
    Try to guess the base of the series (if not specified)

-b GUESSBRANCH [GUESSBRANCH ...], --guess-branch GUESSBRANCH [GUESSBRANCH ...]
    When guessing base, restrict to this branch (use with -g)

--guess-lookback GUESSDAYS
    When guessing base, go back this many days from the patch date (default: 2 weeks)

-3, --prep-3way
    Prepare for a 3-way merge (tries to ensure that all index blobs exist by making a fake commit range)

--no-cover
    Do not save the cover letter (on by default when using -o -)

--no-partial-reroll
    Do not reroll partial series when detected

    Example: b4 am 20200313231252.64999-1-keescook@chromium.org

  b4 shazam

This is very similar to b4 am, but will also apply patches directly to the current git tree using git am. Alternatively, when used with -H, it can fetch the patch series into FETCH_HEAD as if it were a pull request, so it can be reviewed and merged. In this case, the cover letter is used as a template for the merge commit.

If you want to automatically invoke git-merge, you can use -M instead of -H.

usage:
    b4 shazam [-h] [-p USEPROJECT] [-m LOCALMBOX] [-C] [-v WANTVER] [-t] [-S] [-T] [-s] [-l] [-P CHERRYPICK] [--cc-trailers] [--no-parent] [--allow-unicode-control-chars] [-H | -M] [--guess-lookback GUESSDAYS] [msgid]

positional arguments:
    msgid Message ID to process, or pipe a raw message

options:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-p USEPROJECT, --use-project USEPROJECT
    Use a specific project instead of default (linux-mm, linux-hardening, etc)

-m LOCALMBOX, --use-local-mbox LOCALMBOX
    Instead of grabbing a thread from lore, process this mbox file (or - for stdin)

--stdin-pipe-sep STDIN_PIPE_SEP
    When accepting messages on stdin, split using this pipe separator string

-C, --no-cache
    Do not use local cache

--single-message
    Only retrieve the message matching the msgid and ignore the rest of the thread

-v WANTVER, --use-version WANTVER
    Get a specific version of the patch/series

-S, --sloppy-trailers
    Apply trailers without email address match checking

-T, --no-add-trailers
    Do not add or sort any trailers

-s, --add-my-sob
    Add your own signed-off-by to every patch

-l, --add-link
    Add a Link: with message-id lookup URL to every patch

-P CHERRYPICK, --cherry-pick CHERRYPICK
    Cherry-pick a subset of patches (e.g. "-P 1-2,4,6-", "-P _" to use just the msgid specified, or "-P globbing" to match on commit subject)

--cc-trailers
    Copy all Cc'd addresses into Cc: trailers

--no-parent
    Break thread at the msgid specified and ignore any parent messages

--allow-unicode-control-chars
    Allow unicode control characters (very rarely legitimate)

-H, --make-fetch-head
    Attempt to treat series as a pull request and fetch it into FETCH_HEAD

-M, --merge
    Attempt to merge series as if it were a pull request (execs git-merge)

--guess-lookback GUESSDAYS
    (use with -H or -M) When guessing base, go back this many days from the patch date (default: 3 weeks)

--merge-base COMMIT
    (use with -H or -M) Force this base when merging

    Example: b4 shazam -H 20200313231252.64999-1-keescook@chromium.org

  b4 pr

This command is for working with pull requests submitted using git-request-pull.

usage:
    b4 pr [-h] [-g GITDIR] [-b BRANCH] [-c] [-e] [-o OUTMBOX] [msgid]

positional arguments:
    msgid Message ID to process, or pipe a raw message

optional arguments:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-g GITDIR, --gitdir GITDIR
    Operate on this git tree instead of current dir

-b BRANCH, --branch BRANCH
    Check out FETCH_HEAD into this branch after fetching

-c, --check
    Check if pull request has already been applied

-e, --explode
    Convert a pull request into an mbox full of patches

-o OUTMBOX, --output-mbox OUTMBOX
    Save exploded messages into this mailbox (default: msgid.mbx)

-f MAILFROM, --from-addr MAILFROM
    Use this From: in exploded messages (use with -e)

    Example: b4 pr 202003292120.2BDCB41@keescook

  b4 ty

usage:
    b4 ty [-h] [-g GITDIR] [-o OUTDIR] [-l] [-t THANK_FOR [THANK_FOR ...]] [-d DISCARD [DISCARD ...]] [-a] [-b BRANCH] [--since SINCE] [-S] [--dry-run]

optional arguments:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-g GITDIR, --gitdir GITDIR
    Operate on this git tree instead of current dir

-o OUTDIR, --outdir OUTDIR
    Write thanks files into this dir (default=.)

-l, --list
    List pull requests and patch series you have retrieved

-t THANK_FOR, --thank-for THANK_FOR
    Generate thankyous for specific entries from -l (e.g.: 1,3-5,7-; or "all")

-d DISCARD, --discard DISCARD
    Discard specific messages from -l (e.g.: 1,3-5,7-; or "all")

-a, --auto
    Use the Auto-Thankanator gun to figure out what got applied/merged

-b BRANCH, --branch BRANCH
    The branch to check against, instead of current

--since SINCE
    The --since option to use when auto-matching patches (default=1.week)

-S, --send-email
    Send email instead of writing out .thanks files

--dry-run
    Print out emails instead of sending them

--pw-set-state PW_STATE
    Set this patchwork state instead of default (use with -a, -t or -d)

    NOTE: To send mails directly using -S, you should have a configured [sendemail] section somewhere in your applicable git configuration files (global or in-tree).

    Example: b4 ty -aS --dry-run

  b4 diff

usage:
    b4 diff [-h] [-g GITDIR] [-p USEPROJECT] [-C] [-v WANTVERS [WANTVERS ...]] [-n] [-o OUTDIFF] [-c] [-m AMBOX AMBOX] [msgid]

positional arguments:
    msgid Message ID to process, pipe a raw message, or use -m

    optional arguments:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-g GITDIR, --gitdir GITDIR
    Operate on this git tree instead of current dir

-p USEPROJECT, --use-project USEPROJECT
    Use a specific project instead of guessing (linux-mm, linux-hardening, etc)

-C, --no-cache
    Do not use local cache

-v WANTVERS [WANTVERS ...], --compare-versions WANTVERS [WANTVERS ...]
    Compare specific versions instead of latest and one before that, e.g. -v 3 5

-n, --no-diff
    Do not generate a diff, just show the command to do it

-o OUTDIFF, --output-diff OUTDIFF
    Save diff into this file instead of outputting to stdout

-c, --color
    Force color output even when writing to file

-m AMBOX AMBOX, --compare-am-mboxes AMBOX AMBOX
    Compare two mbx files prepared with "b4 am"

    Example: b4 diff 20200526205322.23465-1-mic@digikod.net

  b4 kr

usage:
    b4 kr [-h] [-p USEPROJECT] [-m LOCALMBOX] [-C] [--show-keys] [msgid]

positional arguments:
    msgid Message ID to process, or pipe a raw message

optional arguments:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-p USEPROJECT, --use-project USEPROJECT
    Use a specific project instead of guessing (linux-mm, linux-hardening, etc)

-m LOCALMBOX, --use-local-mbox LOCALMBOX
    Instead of grabbing a thread from lore, process this mbox file (or - for stdin)

--stdin-pipe-sep STDIN_PIPE_SEP
    When accepting messages on stdin, split using this pipe separator string

-C, --no-cache
    Do not use local cache

--show-keys
    Show all developer keys from the thread

    Example: b4 kr --show-keys 20210521184811.617875-1-konstantin@linuxfoundation.org

  b4 prep

usage:
    b4 prep [-h] [-c | -p OUTPUT_DIR | --edit-cover | --show-revision | --force-revision N | --compare-to vN | --manual-reroll COVER_MSGID | --set-prefixes PREFIX [PREFIX ...] | --show-info [PARAM] ] | [ --cleanup [BRANCHNAME] ] [-n NEW_SERIES_NAME] [-f FORK_POINT] [-F MSGID] [-e ENROLL_BASE]

options:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-c, --auto-to-cc
    Automatically populate cover letter trailers with To and Cc addresses

-p OUTPUT_DIR, --format-patch OUTPUT_DIR
    Output prep-tracked commits as patches

--edit-cover
    Edit the cover letter in your defined $EDITOR (or core.editor)

--show-revision
    Show current series revision number

--force-revision N
    Force revision to be this number instead

--compare-to vN
    Display a range-diff to previously sent revision N

--manual-reroll COVER_MSGID
    Mark current revision as sent and reroll (requires cover letter msgid)

--set-prefixes PREFIX [PREFIX ...]
    Extra prefixes to add to [PATCH] (e.g.: RFC mydrv)

--show-info [PARAM]
    Show series info in a format that can be passed to other tools

--cleanup [BRANCHNAME]
    Archive and delete obsolete prep-managed branches

Create new branch:
    Create a new branch for working on patch series

-n NEW_SERIES_NAME, --new NEW_SERIES_NAME
    Create a new branch for working on a patch series

-f FORK_POINT, --fork-point FORK_POINT
    When creating a new branch, use this fork point instead of HEAD

-F MSGID, --from-thread MSGID
    When creating a new branch, use this thread

Enroll existing branch:
    Enroll existing branch for prep work

-e ENROLL_BASE, --enroll ENROLL_BASE
    Enroll current branch, using the passed tag, branch, or commit as fork base

  b4 send

usage:
    b4 send [-h] [-d | -o OUTPUT_DIR | --preview-to ADDR [ADDR ...] | --reflect] [--no-trailer-to-cc] [--to ADDR [ADDR ...]] [--cc ADDR [ADDR ...]] [--not-me-too] [--resend [vN]] [--no-sign] [--web-auth-new] [--web-auth-verify VERIFY_TOKEN]

options:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-d, --dry-run
    Do not send, just dump out raw smtp messages to the stdout

--preview-to ADDR [ADDR ...]
    Send everything for a pre-review to specified addresses instead of actual recipients

-o OUTPUT_DIR, --output-dir OUTPUT_DIR
    Do not send, write raw messages to this directory (forces --dry-run)

--reflect
    Send everything to yourself instead of the actual recipients

--no-trailer-to-cc
    Do not add any addresses found in the cover or patch trailers to To: or Cc:

--to ADDR [ADDR ...]
    Addresses to add to the To: list

--cc ADDR [ADDR ...]
    Addresses to add to the Cc: list

--not-me-too
    Remove yourself from the To: or Cc: list

--resend [vN]
    Resend a previously sent version of the series

--no-sign
    Do not add the cryptographic attestation signature header

Web submission:
    Authenticate with the web submission endpoint

--web-auth-new
    Initiate a new web authentication request

--web-auth-verify VERIFY_TOKEN
    Submit the token received via verification email

  b4 trailers

usage:
    b4 trailers [-h] [-u] [-S] [-F MSGID] [--since SINCE]

options:

-h, --help
    show this help message and exit

-u, --update
    Update branch commits with latest received trailers

-S, --sloppy-trailers
    Apply trailers without email address match checking

-F MSGID, --trailers-from MSGID
    Look for trailers in the thread with this msgid instead of using the series change-id

--since SINCE
    The --since option to use with -F when auto-matching patches (default=1.month)

-m LOCALMBOX, --use-local-mbox LOCALMBOX
    Instead of grabbing a thread from lore, process this mbox file (or - for stdin)

--stdin-pipe-sep STDIN_PIPE_SEP
    When accepting messages on stdin, split using this pipe separator string

-C, --no-cache
    Do not use local cache

CONFIGURATION

B4 configuration is handled via git-config(1), so you can store it in either the toplevel $HOME/.gitconfig file, or in a per-repository .git/config file if your workflow changes per project.

To see configuration options available, see online documentation at https://b4.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/config.html

PROXYING REQUESTS

Commands making remote HTTP requests may be configured to use a proxy by setting the HTTPS_PROXY environment variable, as described in https://docs.python-requests.org/en/latest/user/advanced/#proxies.

SUPPORT

Please email tools@kernel.org with support requests, or browse the list archive at https://lore.kernel.org/tools.

AUTHOR
mricon@kernel.org License: GPLv2+

COPYRIGHT
The Linux Foundation and contributors