Merge commit 'git-gui/master'

* commit 'git-gui/master': (36 commits)
  git-gui: Change prior tree SHA-1 verification to use git_read
  git-gui: Include a space in Cygwin shortcut command lines
  git-gui: Use sh.exe in Cygwin shortcuts
  git-gui: Paper bag fix for Cygwin shortcut creation
  git-gui: Improve the Windows and Mac OS X shortcut creators
  git-gui: Teach console widget to use git_read
  git-gui: Perform our own magic shbang detection on Windows
  git-gui: Treat `git version` as `git --version`
  git-gui: Assume unfound commands are known by git wrapper
  git-gui: Correct gitk installation location
  git-gui: Always use absolute path to all git executables
  git-gui: Show a progress meter for checking out files
  git-gui: Change the main window progress bar to use status_bar
  git-gui: Extract blame viewer status bar into mega-widget
  git-gui: Allow double-click in checkout dialog to start checkout
  git-gui: Default selection to first matching ref
  git-gui: Unabbreviate commit SHA-1s prior to display
  git-gui: Refactor branch switch to support detached head
  git-gui: Refactor our ui_status_value update technique
  git-gui: Better handling of detached HEAD
  ...

23 files changed, 2210 insertions, 888 deletions

diff --git a/git-gui/git-gui.sh b/git-gui/git-gui.sh
index 9df2e47029..2077261e64 100755
--- a/git-gui/git-gui.sh
+++ b/git-gui/git-gui.sh
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ set _gitdir {}
 set _gitexec {}
 set _reponame {}
 set _iscygwin {}
+set _search_path {}
 
 proc appname {} {
 	global _appname
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ proc gitdir {args} {
 	if {$args eq {}} {
 		return $_gitdir
 	}
-	return [eval [concat [list file join $_gitdir] $args]]
+	return [eval [list file join $_gitdir] $args]
 }
 
 proc gitexec {args} {
@@ -137,11 +138,19 @@ proc gitexec {args} {
 		if {[catch {set _gitexec [git --exec-path]} err]} {
 			error "Git not installed?\n\n$err"
 		}
+		if {[is_Cygwin]} {
+			set _gitexec [exec cygpath \
+				--windows \
+				--absolute \
+				$_gitexec]
+		} else {
+			set _gitexec [file normalize $_gitexec]
+		}
 	}
 	if {$args eq {}} {
 		return $_gitexec
 	}
-	return [eval [concat [list file join $_gitexec] $args]]
+	return [eval [list file join $_gitexec] $args]
 }
 
 proc reponame {} {
@@ -237,7 +246,7 @@ proc load_config {include_global} {
 	array unset global_config
 	if {$include_global} {
 		catch {
-			set fd_rc [open "| git config --global --list" r]
+			set fd_rc [git_read config --global --list]
 			while {[gets $fd_rc line] >= 0} {
 				if {[regexp {^([^=]+)=(.*)$} $line line name value]} {
 					if {[is_many_config $name]} {
@@ -253,7 +262,7 @@ proc load_config {include_global} {
 
 	array unset repo_config
 	catch {
-		set fd_rc [open "| git config --list" r]
+		set fd_rc [git_read config --list]
 		while {[gets $fd_rc line] >= 0} {
 			if {[regexp {^([^=]+)=(.*)$} $line line name value]} {
 				if {[is_many_config $name]} {
@@ -280,19 +289,220 @@ proc load_config {include_global} {
 ##
 ## handy utils
 
+proc _git_cmd {name} {
+	global _git_cmd_path
+
+	if {[catch {set v $_git_cmd_path($name)}]} {
+		switch -- $name {
+		  version   -
+		--version   -
+		--exec-path { return [list $::_git $name] }
+		}
+
+		set p [gitexec git-$name$::_search_exe]
+		if {[file exists $p]} {
+			set v [list $p]
+		} elseif {[is_Windows] && [file exists [gitexec git-$name]]} {
+			# Try to determine what sort of magic will make
+			# git-$name go and do its thing, because native
+			# Tcl on Windows doesn't know it.
+			#
+			set p [gitexec git-$name]
+			set f [open $p r]
+			set s [gets $f]
+			close $f
+
+			switch -glob -- $s {
+			#!*sh     { set i sh     }
+			#!*perl   { set i perl   }
+			#!*python { set i python }
+			default   { error "git-$name is not supported: $s" }
+			}
+
+			upvar #0 _$i interp
+			if {![info exists interp]} {
+				set interp [_which $i]
+			}
+			if {$interp eq {}} {
+				error "git-$name requires $i (not in PATH)"
+			}
+			set v [list $interp $p]
+		} else {
+			# Assume it is builtin to git somehow and we
+			# aren't actually able to see a file for it.
+			#
+			set v [list $::_git $name]
+		}
+		set _git_cmd_path($name) $v
+	}
+	return $v
+}
+
+proc _which {what} {
+	global env _search_exe _search_path
+
+	if {$_search_path eq {}} {
+		if {[is_Cygwin]} {
+			set _search_path [split [exec cygpath \
+				--windows \
+				--path \
+				--absolute \
+				$env(PATH)] {;}]
+			set _search_exe .exe
+		} elseif {[is_Windows]} {
+			set _search_path [split $env(PATH) {;}]
+			set _search_exe .exe
+		} else {
+			set _search_path [split $env(PATH) :]
+			set _search_exe {}
+		}
+	}
+
+	foreach p $_search_path {
+		set p [file join $p $what$_search_exe]
+		if {[file exists $p]} {
+			return [file normalize $p]
+		}
+	}
+	return {}
+}
+
 proc git {args} {
-	return [eval exec git $args]
+	set opt [list exec]
+
+	while {1} {
+		switch -- [lindex $args 0] {
+		--nice {
+			global _nice
+			if {$_nice ne {}} {
+				lappend opt $_nice
+			}
+		}
+
+		default {
+			break
+		}
+
+		}
+
+		set args [lrange $args 1 end]
+	}
+
+	set cmdp [_git_cmd [lindex $args 0]]
+	set args [lrange $args 1 end]
+
+	return [eval $opt $cmdp $args]
+}
+
+proc _open_stdout_stderr {cmd} {
+	if {[catch {
+			set fd [open $cmd r]
+		} err]} {
+		if {   [lindex $cmd end] eq {2>@1}
+		    && $err eq {can not find channel named "1"}
+			} {
+			# Older versions of Tcl 8.4 don't have this 2>@1 IO
+			# redirect operator.  Fallback to |& cat for those.
+			# The command was not actually started, so its safe
+			# to try to start it a second time.
+			#
+			set fd [open [concat \
+				[lrange $cmd 0 end-1] \
+				[list |& cat] \
+				] r]
+		} else {
+			error $err
+		}
+	}
+	return $fd
+}
+
+proc git_read {args} {
+	set opt [list |]
+
+	while {1} {
+		switch -- [lindex $args 0] {
+		--nice {
+			global _nice
+			if {$_nice ne {}} {
+				lappend opt $_nice
+			}
+		}
+
+		--stderr {
+			lappend args 2>@1
+		}
+
+		default {
+			break
+		}
+
+		}
+
+		set args [lrange $args 1 end]
+	}
+
+	set cmdp [_git_cmd [lindex $args 0]]
+	set args [lrange $args 1 end]
+
+	return [_open_stdout_stderr [concat $opt $cmdp $args]]
+}
+
+proc git_write {args} {
+	set opt [list |]
+
+	while {1} {
+		switch -- [lindex $args 0] {
+		--nice {
+			global _nice
+			if {$_nice ne {}} {
+				lappend opt $_nice
+			}
+		}
+
+		default {
+			break
+		}
+
+		}
+
+		set args [lrange $args 1 end]
+	}
+
+	set cmdp [_git_cmd [lindex $args 0]]
+	set args [lrange $args 1 end]
+
+	return [open [concat $opt $cmdp $args] w]
 }
 
-proc current-branch {} {
-	set ref {}
+proc sq {value} {
+	regsub -all ' $value "'\\''" value
+	return "'$value'"
+}
+
+proc load_current_branch {} {
+	global current_branch is_detached
+
 	set fd [open [gitdir HEAD] r]
-	if {[gets $fd ref] <16
-	 || ![regsub {^ref: refs/heads/} $ref {} ref]} {
+	if {[gets $fd ref] < 1} {
 		set ref {}
 	}
 	close $fd
-	return $ref
+
+	set pfx {ref: refs/heads/}
+	set len [string length $pfx]
+	if {[string equal -length $len $pfx $ref]} {
+		# We're on a branch.  It might not exist.  But
+		# HEAD looks good enough to be a branch.
+		#
+		set current_branch [string range $ref $len end]
+		set is_detached 0
+	} else {
+		# Assume this is a detached head.
+		#
+		set current_branch HEAD
+		set is_detached 1
+	}
 }
 
 auto_load tk_optionMenu
@@ -306,35 +516,90 @@ proc tk_optionMenu {w varName args} {
 
 ######################################################################
 ##
-## version check
+## find git
+
+set _git  [_which git]
+if {$_git eq {}} {
+	catch {wm withdraw .}
+	error_popup "Cannot find git in PATH."
+	exit 1
+}
+set _nice [_which nice]
 
-set req_maj 1
-set req_min 5
+######################################################################
+##
+## version check
 
-if {[catch {set v [git --version]} err]} {
+if {[catch {set _git_version [git --version]} err]} {
 	catch {wm withdraw .}
 	error_popup "Cannot determine Git version:
 
 $err
 
-[appname] requires Git $req_maj.$req_min or later."
+[appname] requires Git 1.5.0 or later."
 	exit 1
 }
-if {[regexp {^git version (\d+)\.(\d+)} $v _junk act_maj act_min]} {
-	if {$act_maj < $req_maj
-		|| ($act_maj == $req_maj && $act_min < $req_min)} {
-		catch {wm withdraw .}
-		error_popup "[appname] requires Git $req_maj.$req_min or later.
+if {![regsub {^git version } $_git_version {} _git_version]} {
+	catch {wm withdraw .}
+	error_popup "Cannot parse Git version string:\n\n$_git_version"
+	exit 1
+}
+regsub {\.[0-9]+\.g[0-9a-f]+$} $_git_version {} _git_version
+regsub {\.rc[0-9]+$} $_git_version {} _git_version
 
-You are using $v."
-		exit 1
+proc git-version {args} {
+	global _git_version
+
+	switch [llength $args] {
+	0 {
+		return $_git_version
 	}
-} else {
+
+	2 {
+		set op [lindex $args 0]
+		set vr [lindex $args 1]
+		set cm [package vcompare $_git_version $vr]
+		return [expr $cm $op 0]
+	}
+
+	4 {
+		set type [lindex $args 0]
+		set name [lindex $args 1]
+		set parm [lindex $args 2]
+		set body [lindex $args 3]
+
+		if {($type ne {proc} && $type ne {method})} {
+			error "Invalid arguments to git-version"
+		}
+		if {[llength $body] < 2 || [lindex $body end-1] ne {default}} {
+			error "Last arm of $type $name must be default"
+		}
+
+		foreach {op vr cb} [lrange $body 0 end-2] {
+			if {[git-version $op $vr]} {
+				return [uplevel [list $type $name $parm $cb]]
+			}
+		}
+
+		return [uplevel [list $type $name $parm [lindex $body end]]]
+	}
+
+	default {
+		error "git-version >= x"
+	}
+
+	}
+}
+
+if {[git-version < 1.5]} {
 	catch {wm withdraw .}
-	error_popup "Cannot parse Git version string:\n\n$v"
+	error_popup "[appname] requires Git 1.5.0 or later.
+
+You are using [git-version]:
+
+[git --version]"
 	exit 1
 }
-unset -nocomplain v _junk act_maj act_min req_maj req_min
 
 ######################################################################
 ##
@@ -381,7 +646,6 @@ set _reponame [lindex [file split \
 set current_diff_path {}
 set current_diff_side {}
 set diff_actions [list]
-set ui_status_value {Initializing...}
 
 set HEAD {}
 set PARENT {}
@@ -389,6 +653,7 @@ set MERGE_HEAD [list]
 set commit_type {}
 set empty_tree {}
 set current_branch {}
+set is_detached 0
 set current_diff_path {}
 set selected_commit_type new
 
@@ -438,7 +703,7 @@ proc repository_state {ctvar hdvar mhvar} {
 
 	set mh [list]
 
-	set current_branch [current-branch]
+	load_current_branch
 	if {[catch {set hd [git rev-parse --verify HEAD]}]} {
 		set hd {}
 		set ct initial
@@ -474,7 +739,7 @@ proc PARENT {} {
 
 proc rescan {after {honor_trustmtime 1}} {
 	global HEAD PARENT MERGE_HEAD commit_type
-	global ui_index ui_workdir ui_status_value ui_comm
+	global ui_index ui_workdir ui_comm
 	global rescan_active file_states
 	global repo_config
 
@@ -504,22 +769,17 @@ proc rescan {after {honor_trustmtime 1}} {
 		$ui_comm edit modified false
 	}
 
-	if {[is_enabled branch]} {
-		load_all_heads
-		populate_branch_menu
-	}
-
 	if {$honor_trustmtime && $repo_config(gui.trustmtime) eq {true}} {
 		rescan_stage2 {} $after
 	} else {
 		set rescan_active 1
-		set ui_status_value {Refreshing file status...}
-		set cmd [list git update-index]
-		lappend cmd -q
-		lappend cmd --unmerged
-		lappend cmd --ignore-missing
-		lappend cmd --refresh
-		set fd_rf [open "| $cmd" r]
+		ui_status {Refreshing file status...}
+		set fd_rf [git_read update-index \
+			-q \
+			--unmerged \
+			--ignore-missing \
+			--refresh \
+			]
 		fconfigure $fd_rf -blocking 0 -translation binary
 		fileevent $fd_rf readable \
 			[list rescan_stage2 $fd_rf $after]
@@ -527,7 +787,6 @@ proc rescan {after {honor_trustmtime 1}} {
 }
 
 proc rescan_stage2 {fd after} {
-	global ui_status_value
 	global rescan_active buf_rdi buf_rdf buf_rlo
 
 	if {$fd ne {}} {
@@ -536,8 +795,7 @@ proc rescan_stage2 {fd after} {
 		close $fd
 	}
 
-	set ls_others [list | git ls-files --others -z \
-		--exclude-per-directory=.gitignore]
+	set ls_others [list --exclude-per-directory=.gitignore]
 	set info_exclude [gitdir info exclude]
 	if {[file readable $info_exclude]} {
 		lappend ls_others "--exclude-from=$info_exclude"
@@ -548,10 +806,10 @@ proc rescan_stage2 {fd after} {
 	set buf_rlo {}
 
 	set rescan_active 3
-	set ui_status_value {Scanning for modified files ...}
-	set fd_di [open "| git diff-index --cached -z [PARENT]" r]
-	set fd_df [open "| git diff-files -z" r]
-	set fd_lo [open $ls_others r]
+	ui_status {Scanning for modified files ...}
+	set fd_di [git_read diff-index --cached -z [PARENT]]
+	set fd_df [git_read diff-files -z]
+	set fd_lo [eval git_read ls-files --others -z $ls_others]
 
 	fconfigure $fd_di -blocking 0 -translation binary -encoding binary
 	fconfigure $fd_df -blocking 0 -translation binary -encoding binary
@@ -708,6 +966,14 @@ proc mapdesc {state path} {
 	return $r
 }
 
+proc ui_status {msg} {
+	$::main_status show $msg
+}
+
+proc ui_ready {{test {}}} {
+	$::main_status show {Ready.} $test
+}
+
 proc escape_path {path} {
 	regsub -all {\\} $path "\\\\" path
 	regsub -all "\n" $path "\\n" path
@@ -1059,26 +1325,18 @@ proc incr_font_size {font {amt 1}} {
 set starting_gitk_msg {Starting gitk... please wait...}
 
 proc do_gitk {revs} {
-	global env ui_status_value starting_gitk_msg
-
 	# -- Always start gitk through whatever we were loaded with.  This
 	#    lets us bypass using shell process on Windows systems.
 	#
-	set cmd [list [info nameofexecutable]]
-	lappend cmd [gitexec gitk]
-	if {$revs ne {}} {
-		append cmd { }
-		append cmd $revs
-	}
-
-	if {[catch {eval exec $cmd &} err]} {
-		error_popup "Failed to start gitk:\n\n$err"
+	set exe [file join [file dirname $::_git] gitk]
+	set cmd [list [info nameofexecutable] $exe]
+	if {! [file exists $exe]} {
+		error_popup "Unable to start gitk:\n\n$exe does not exist"
 	} else {
-		set ui_status_value $starting_gitk_msg
+		eval exec $cmd $revs &
+		ui_status $::starting_gitk_msg
 		after 10000 {
-			if {$ui_status_value eq $starting_gitk_msg} {
-				set ui_status_value {Ready.}
-			}
+			ui_ready $starting_gitk_msg
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -1127,7 +1385,7 @@ proc do_quit {} {
 }
 
 proc do_rescan {} {
-	rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}
+	rescan ui_ready
 }
 
 proc do_commit {} {
@@ -1162,12 +1420,12 @@ proc toggle_or_diff {w x y} {
 			update_indexinfo \
 				"Unstaging [short_path $path] from commit" \
 				[list $path] \
-				[concat $after {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}]
+				[concat $after [list ui_ready]]
 		} elseif {$w eq $ui_workdir} {
 			update_index \
 				"Adding [short_path $path]" \
 				[list $path] \
-				[concat $after {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}]
+				[concat $after [list ui_ready]]
 		}
 	} else {
 		show_diff $path $w $lno
@@ -1294,6 +1552,7 @@ set default_config(merge.verbosity) 2
 set default_config(user.name) {}
 set default_config(user.email) {}
 
+set default_config(gui.matchtrackingbranch) false
 set default_config(gui.pruneduringfetch) false
 set default_config(gui.trustmtime) false
 set default_config(gui.diffcontext) 5
@@ -1451,18 +1710,24 @@ if {[is_enabled branch]} {
 	menu .mbar.branch
 
 	.mbar.branch add command -label {Create...} \
-		-command do_create_branch \
+		-command branch_create::dialog \
 		-accelerator $M1T-N
 	lappend disable_on_lock [list .mbar.branch entryconf \
 		[.mbar.branch index last] -state]
 
+	.mbar.branch add command -label {Checkout...} \
+		-command branch_checkout::dialog \
+		-accelerator $M1T-O
+	lappend disable_on_lock [list .mbar.branch entryconf \
+		[.mbar.branch index last] -state]
+
 	.mbar.branch add command -label {Rename...} \
 		-command branch_rename::dialog
 	lappend disable_on_lock [list .mbar.branch entryconf \
 		[.mbar.branch index last] -state]
 
 	.mbar.branch add command -label {Delete...} \
-		-command do_delete_branch
+		-command branch_delete::dialog
 	lappend disable_on_lock [list .mbar.branch entryconf \
 		[.mbar.branch index last] -state]
 
@@ -1557,7 +1822,8 @@ if {[is_enabled transport]} {
 
 	menu .mbar.push
 	.mbar.push add command -label {Push...} \
-		-command do_push_anywhere
+		-command do_push_anywhere \
+		-accelerator $M1T-P
 	.mbar.push add command -label {Delete...} \
 		-command remote_branch_delete::dialog
 }
@@ -1583,20 +1849,19 @@ if {[is_MacOSX]} {
 	#
 	if {[is_Cygwin] && [file exists /usr/local/miga/lib/gui-miga]} {
 	proc do_miga {} {
-		global ui_status_value
 		if {![lock_index update]} return
 		set cmd [list sh --login -c "/usr/local/miga/lib/gui-miga \"[pwd]\""]
 		set miga_fd [open "|$cmd" r]
 		fconfigure $miga_fd -blocking 0
 		fileevent $miga_fd readable [list miga_done $miga_fd]
-		set ui_status_value {Running miga...}
+		ui_status {Running miga...}
 	}
 	proc miga_done {fd} {
 		read $fd 512
 		if {[eof $fd]} {
 			close $fd
 			unlock_index
-			rescan [list set ui_status_value {Ready.}]
+			rescan ui_ready
 		}
 	}
 	.mbar add cascade -label Tools -menu .mbar.tools
@@ -1676,8 +1941,19 @@ switch -- $subcommand {
 browser {
 	set subcommand_args {rev?}
 	switch [llength $argv] {
-	0 { set current_branch [current-branch] }
-	1 { set current_branch [lindex $argv 0] }
+	0 { load_current_branch }
+	1 {
+		set current_branch [lindex $argv 0]
+		if {[regexp {^[0-9a-f]{1,39}$} $current_branch]} {
+			if {[catch {
+					set current_branch \
+					[git rev-parse --verify $current_branch]
+				} err]} {
+				puts stderr $err
+				exit 1
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	default usage
 	}
 	browser::new $current_branch
@@ -1710,8 +1986,16 @@ blame {
 	unset is_path
 
 	if {$head eq {}} {
-		set current_branch [current-branch]
+		load_current_branch
 	} else {
+		if {[regexp {^[0-9a-f]{1,39}$} $head]} {
+			if {[catch {
+					set head [git rev-parse --verify $head]
+				} err]} {
+				puts stderr $err
+				exit 1
+			}
+		}
 		set current_branch $head
 	}
 
@@ -1847,6 +2131,10 @@ pack .vpane.lower.commarea.buttons.commit -side top -fill x
 lappend disable_on_lock \
 	{.vpane.lower.commarea.buttons.commit conf -state}
 
+button .vpane.lower.commarea.buttons.push -text {Push} \
+	-command do_push_anywhere
+pack .vpane.lower.commarea.buttons.push -side top -fill x
+
 # -- Commit Message Buffer
 #
 frame .vpane.lower.commarea.buffer
@@ -2115,12 +2403,9 @@ unset ui_diff_applyhunk
 
 # -- Status Bar
 #
-label .status -textvariable ui_status_value \
-	-anchor w \
-	-justify left \
-	-borderwidth 1 \
-	-relief sunken
+set main_status [::status_bar::new .status]
 pack .status -anchor w -side bottom -fill x
+$main_status show {Initializing...}
 
 # -- Load geometry
 #
@@ -2171,13 +2456,19 @@ bind $ui_diff <Control-Key-f> {catch {%W yview scroll  1 pages};break}
 bind $ui_diff <Button-1>   {focus %W}
 
 if {[is_enabled branch]} {
-	bind . <$M1B-Key-n> do_create_branch
-	bind . <$M1B-Key-N> do_create_branch
+	bind . <$M1B-Key-n> branch_create::dialog
+	bind . <$M1B-Key-N> branch_create::dialog
+	bind . <$M1B-Key-o> branch_checkout::dialog
+	bind . <$M1B-Key-O> branch_checkout::dialog
+}
+if {[is_enabled transport]} {
+	bind . <$M1B-Key-p> do_push_anywhere
+	bind . <$M1B-Key-P> do_push_anywhere
 }
 
-bind all <Key-F5> do_rescan
-bind all <$M1B-Key-r> do_rescan
-bind all <$M1B-Key-R> do_rescan
+bind .   <Key-F5>     do_rescan
+bind .   <$M1B-Key-r> do_rescan
+bind .   <$M1B-Key-R> do_rescan
 bind .   <$M1B-Key-s> do_signoff
 bind .   <$M1B-Key-S> do_signoff
 bind .   <$M1B-Key-i> do_add_all
@@ -2255,9 +2546,7 @@ user.email settings into your personal
 #
 if {[is_enabled transport]} {
 	load_all_remotes
-	load_all_heads
 
-	populate_branch_menu
 	populate_fetch_menu
 	populate_push_menu
 }
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/blame.tcl b/git-gui/lib/blame.tcl
index b523654815..4bdb9a27a3 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/blame.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/blame.tcl
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ field w_amov     ; # text column: annotations + move tracking
 field w_asim     ; # text column: annotations (simple computation)
 field w_file     ; # text column: actual file data
 field w_cviewer  ; # pane showing commit message
-field status     ; # text variable bound to status bar
+field status     ; # status mega-widget instance
 field old_height ; # last known height of $w.file_pane
 
 # Tk UI colors
@@ -33,6 +33,13 @@ variable group_colors {
 	#ececec
 }
 
+# Switches for original location detection
+#
+variable original_options [list -C -C]
+if {[git-version >= 1.5.3]} {
+	lappend original_options -w ; # ignore indentation changes
+}
+
 # Current blame data; cleared/reset on each load
 #
 field commit               ; # input commit to blame
@@ -235,14 +242,7 @@ constructor new {i_commit i_path} {
 	pack $w.file_pane.cm.sbx -side bottom -fill x
 	pack $w_cviewer -expand 1 -fill both
 
-	frame $w.status \
-		-borderwidth 1 \
-		-relief sunken
-	label $w.status.l \
-		-textvariable @status \
-		-anchor w \
-		-justify left
-	pack $w.status.l -side left
+	set status [::status_bar::new $w.status]
 
 	menu $w.ctxm -tearoff 0
 	$w.ctxm add command \
@@ -304,8 +304,9 @@ constructor new {i_commit i_path} {
 
 	set req_w [winfo reqwidth  $top]
 	set req_h [winfo reqheight $top]
+	set scr_h [expr {[winfo screenheight $top] - 100}]
 	if {$req_w < 600} {set req_w 600}
-	if {$req_h < 400} {set req_h 400}
+	if {$req_h < $scr_h} {set req_h $scr_h}
 	set g "${req_w}x${req_h}"
 	wm geometry $top $g
 	update
@@ -352,19 +353,6 @@ method _load {jump} {
 		set total_lines 0
 	}
 
-	if {[winfo exists $w.status.c]} {
-		$w.status.c coords bar 0 0 0 20
-	} else {
-		canvas $w.status.c \
-			-width 100 \
-			-height [expr {int([winfo reqheight $w.status.l] * 0.6)}] \
-			-borderwidth 1 \
-			-relief groove \
-			-highlightt 0
-		$w.status.c create rectangle 0 0 0 20 -tags bar -fill navy
-		pack $w.status.c -side right
-	}
-
 	if {$history eq {}} {
 		$w_back conf -state disabled
 	} else {
@@ -378,13 +366,12 @@ method _load {jump} {
 	set amov_data [list [list]]
 	set asim_data [list [list]]
 
-	set status "Loading $commit:[escape_path $path]..."
+	$status show "Reading $commit:[escape_path $path]..."
 	$w_path conf -text [escape_path $path]
 	if {$commit eq {}} {
 		set fd [open $path r]
 	} else {
-		set cmd [list git cat-file blob "$commit:$path"]
-		set fd [open "| $cmd" r]
+		set fd [git_read cat-file blob "$commit:$path"]
 	}
 	fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation lf -encoding binary
 	fileevent $fd readable [cb _read_file $fd $jump]
@@ -487,30 +474,28 @@ method _read_file {fd jump} {
 } ifdeleted { catch {close $fd} }
 
 method _exec_blame {cur_w cur_d options cur_s} {
-	set cmd [list]
-	if {![is_Windows] || [is_Cygwin]} {
-		lappend cmd nice
-	}
-	lappend cmd git blame
-	set cmd [concat $cmd $options]
-	lappend cmd --incremental
+	lappend options --incremental
 	if {$commit eq {}} {
-		lappend cmd --contents $path
+		lappend options --contents $path
 	} else {
-		lappend cmd $commit
+		lappend options $commit
 	}
-	lappend cmd -- $path
-	set fd [open "| $cmd" r]
+	lappend options -- $path
+	set fd [eval git_read --nice blame $options]
 	fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation lf -encoding binary
-	fileevent $fd readable [cb _read_blame $fd $cur_w $cur_d $cur_s]
+	fileevent $fd readable [cb _read_blame $fd $cur_w $cur_d]
 	set current_fd $fd
 	set blame_lines 0
-	_status $this $cur_s
+
+	$status start \
+		"Loading$cur_s annotations..." \
+		{lines annotated}
 }
 
-method _read_blame {fd cur_w cur_d cur_s} {
+method _read_blame {fd cur_w cur_d} {
 	upvar #0 $cur_d line_data
 	variable group_colors
+	variable original_options
 
 	if {$fd ne $current_fd} {
 		catch {close $fd}
@@ -547,6 +532,10 @@ method _read_blame {fd cur_w cur_d cur_s} {
 			set a_name {}
 			catch {set a_name $header($cmit,author)}
 			while {$a_name ne {}} {
+				if {$author_abbr ne {}
+					&& [string index $a_name 0] eq {'}} {
+					regsub {^'[^']+'\s+} $a_name {} a_name
+				}
 				if {![regexp {^([[:upper:]])} $a_name _a]} break
 				append author_abbr $_a
 				unset _a
@@ -680,30 +669,17 @@ method _read_blame {fd cur_w cur_d cur_s} {
 		close $fd
 		if {$cur_w eq $w_asim} {
 			_exec_blame $this $w_amov @amov_data \
-				[list -M -C -C] \
+				$original_options \
 				{ original location}
 		} else {
 			set current_fd {}
-			set status {Annotation complete.}
-			destroy $w.status.c
+			$status stop {Annotation complete.}
 		}
 	} else {
-		_status $this $cur_s
+		$status update $blame_lines $total_lines
 	}
 } ifdeleted { catch {close $fd} }
 
-method _status {cur_s} {
-	set have  $blame_lines
-	set total $total_lines
-	set pdone 0
-	if {$total} {set pdone [expr {100 * $have / $total}]}
-
-	set status [format \
-		"Loading%s annotations... %i of %i lines annotated (%2i%%)" \
-		$cur_s $have $total $pdone]
-	$w.status.c coords bar 0 0 $pdone 20
-}
-
 method _click {cur_w pos} {
 	set lno [lindex [split [$cur_w index $pos] .] 0]
 	_showcommit $this $cur_w $lno
@@ -784,7 +760,7 @@ method _showcommit {cur_w lno} {
 		if {[catch {set msg $header($cmit,message)}]} {
 			set msg {}
 			catch {
-				set fd [open "| git cat-file commit $cmit" r]
+				set fd [git_read cat-file commit $cmit]
 				fconfigure $fd -encoding binary -translation lf
 				if {[catch {set enc $repo_config(i18n.commitencoding)}]} {
 					set enc utf-8
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/branch.tcl b/git-gui/lib/branch.tcl
index 4f648b2bc7..777eeb79c1 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/branch.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/branch.tcl
@@ -2,573 +2,37 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Shawn Pearce
 
 proc load_all_heads {} {
-	global all_heads
+	global some_heads_tracking
 
+	set rh refs/heads
+	set rh_len [expr {[string length $rh] + 1}]
 	set all_heads [list]
-	set fd [open "| git for-each-ref --format=%(refname) refs/heads" r]
+	set fd [git_read for-each-ref --format=%(refname) $rh]
 	while {[gets $fd line] > 0} {
-		if {[is_tracking_branch $line]} continue
-		if {![regsub ^refs/heads/ $line {} name]} continue
-		lappend all_heads $name
+		if {!$some_heads_tracking || ![is_tracking_branch $line]} {
+			lappend all_heads [string range $line $rh_len end]
+		}
 	}
 	close $fd
 
-	set all_heads [lsort $all_heads]
+	return [lsort $all_heads]
 }
 
 proc load_all_tags {} {
 	set all_tags [list]
-	set fd [open "| git for-each-ref --format=%(refname) refs/tags" r]
+	set fd [git_read for-each-ref \
+		--sort=-taggerdate \
+		--format=%(refname) \
+		refs/tags]
 	while {[gets $fd line] > 0} {
 		if {![regsub ^refs/tags/ $line {} name]} continue
 		lappend all_tags $name
 	}
 	close $fd
-
-	return [lsort $all_tags]
-}
-
-proc populate_branch_menu {} {
-	global all_heads disable_on_lock
-
-	set m .mbar.branch
-	set last [$m index last]
-	for {set i 0} {$i <= $last} {incr i} {
-		if {[$m type $i] eq {separator}} {
-			$m delete $i last
-			set new_dol [list]
-			foreach a $disable_on_lock {
-				if {[lindex $a 0] ne $m || [lindex $a 2] < $i} {
-					lappend new_dol $a
-				}
-			}
-			set disable_on_lock $new_dol
-			break
-		}
-	}
-
-	if {$all_heads ne {}} {
-		$m add separator
-	}
-	foreach b $all_heads {
-		$m add radiobutton \
-			-label $b \
-			-command [list switch_branch $b] \
-			-variable current_branch \
-			-value $b
-		lappend disable_on_lock \
-			[list $m entryconf [$m index last] -state]
-	}
-}
-
-proc do_create_branch_action {w} {
-	global all_heads null_sha1 repo_config
-	global create_branch_checkout create_branch_revtype
-	global create_branch_head create_branch_trackinghead
-	global create_branch_name create_branch_revexp
-	global create_branch_tag
-
-	set newbranch $create_branch_name
-	if {$newbranch eq {}
-		|| $newbranch eq $repo_config(gui.newbranchtemplate)} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "Please supply a branch name."
-		focus $w.desc.name_t
-		return
-	}
-	if {![catch {git show-ref --verify -- "refs/heads/$newbranch"}]} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "Branch '$newbranch' already exists."
-		focus $w.desc.name_t
-		return
-	}
-	if {[catch {git check-ref-format "heads/$newbranch"}]} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "We do not like '$newbranch' as a branch name."
-		focus $w.desc.name_t
-		return
-	}
-
-	set rev {}
-	switch -- $create_branch_revtype {
-	head {set rev $create_branch_head}
-	tracking {set rev $create_branch_trackinghead}
-	tag {set rev $create_branch_tag}
-	expression {set rev $create_branch_revexp}
-	}
-	if {[catch {set cmt [git rev-parse --verify "${rev}^0"]}]} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "Invalid starting revision: $rev"
-		return
-	}
-	if {[catch {
-			git update-ref \
-				-m "branch: Created from $rev" \
-				"refs/heads/$newbranch" \
-				$cmt \
-				$null_sha1
-		} err]} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "Failed to create '$newbranch'.\n\n$err"
-		return
-	}
-
-	lappend all_heads $newbranch
-	set all_heads [lsort $all_heads]
-	populate_branch_menu
-	destroy $w
-	if {$create_branch_checkout} {
-		switch_branch $newbranch
-	}
+	return $all_tags
 }
 
 proc radio_selector {varname value args} {
 	upvar #0 $varname var
 	set var $value
 }
-
-trace add variable create_branch_head write \
-	[list radio_selector create_branch_revtype head]
-trace add variable create_branch_trackinghead write \
-	[list radio_selector create_branch_revtype tracking]
-trace add variable create_branch_tag write \
-	[list radio_selector create_branch_revtype tag]
-
-trace add variable delete_branch_head write \
-	[list radio_selector delete_branch_checktype head]
-trace add variable delete_branch_trackinghead write \
-	[list radio_selector delete_branch_checktype tracking]
-
-proc do_create_branch {} {
-	global all_heads current_branch repo_config
-	global create_branch_checkout create_branch_revtype
-	global create_branch_head create_branch_trackinghead
-	global create_branch_name create_branch_revexp
-	global create_branch_tag
-
-	set w .branch_editor
-	toplevel $w
-	wm geometry $w "+[winfo rootx .]+[winfo rooty .]"
-
-	label $w.header -text {Create New Branch} \
-		-font font_uibold
-	pack $w.header -side top -fill x
-
-	frame $w.buttons
-	button $w.buttons.create -text Create \
-		-default active \
-		-command [list do_create_branch_action $w]
-	pack $w.buttons.create -side right
-	button $w.buttons.cancel -text {Cancel} \
-		-command [list destroy $w]
-	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
-	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
-
-	labelframe $w.desc -text {Branch Description}
-	label $w.desc.name_l -text {Name:}
-	entry $w.desc.name_t \
-		-borderwidth 1 \
-		-relief sunken \
-		-width 40 \
-		-textvariable create_branch_name \
-		-validate key \
-		-validatecommand {
-			if {%d == 1 && [regexp {[~^:?*\[\0- ]} %S]} {return 0}
-			return 1
-		}
-	grid $w.desc.name_l $w.desc.name_t -sticky we -padx {0 5}
-	grid columnconfigure $w.desc 1 -weight 1
-	pack $w.desc -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
-
-	labelframe $w.from -text {Starting Revision}
-	if {$all_heads ne {}} {
-		radiobutton $w.from.head_r \
-			-text {Local Branch:} \
-			-value head \
-			-variable create_branch_revtype
-		eval tk_optionMenu $w.from.head_m create_branch_head $all_heads
-		grid $w.from.head_r $w.from.head_m -sticky w
-	}
-	set all_trackings [all_tracking_branches]
-	if {$all_trackings ne {}} {
-		set create_branch_trackinghead [lindex $all_trackings 0]
-		radiobutton $w.from.tracking_r \
-			-text {Tracking Branch:} \
-			-value tracking \
-			-variable create_branch_revtype
-		eval tk_optionMenu $w.from.tracking_m \
-			create_branch_trackinghead \
-			$all_trackings
-		grid $w.from.tracking_r $w.from.tracking_m -sticky w
-	}
-	set all_tags [load_all_tags]
-	if {$all_tags ne {}} {
-		set create_branch_tag [lindex $all_tags 0]
-		radiobutton $w.from.tag_r \
-			-text {Tag:} \
-			-value tag \
-			-variable create_branch_revtype
-		eval tk_optionMenu $w.from.tag_m create_branch_tag $all_tags
-		grid $w.from.tag_r $w.from.tag_m -sticky w
-	}
-	radiobutton $w.from.exp_r \
-		-text {Revision Expression:} \
-		-value expression \
-		-variable create_branch_revtype
-	entry $w.from.exp_t \
-		-borderwidth 1 \
-		-relief sunken \
-		-width 50 \
-		-textvariable create_branch_revexp \
-		-validate key \
-		-validatecommand {
-			if {%d == 1 && [regexp {\s} %S]} {return 0}
-			if {%d == 1 && [string length %S] > 0} {
-				set create_branch_revtype expression
-			}
-			return 1
-		}
-	grid $w.from.exp_r $w.from.exp_t -sticky we -padx {0 5}
-	grid columnconfigure $w.from 1 -weight 1
-	pack $w.from -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
-
-	labelframe $w.postActions -text {Post Creation Actions}
-	checkbutton $w.postActions.checkout \
-		-text {Checkout after creation} \
-		-variable create_branch_checkout
-	pack $w.postActions.checkout -anchor nw
-	pack $w.postActions -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
-
-	set create_branch_checkout 1
-	set create_branch_head $current_branch
-	set create_branch_revtype head
-	set create_branch_name $repo_config(gui.newbranchtemplate)
-	set create_branch_revexp {}
-
-	bind $w <Visibility> "
-		grab $w
-		$w.desc.name_t icursor end
-		focus $w.desc.name_t
-	"
-	bind $w <Key-Escape> "destroy $w"
-	bind $w <Key-Return> "do_create_branch_action $w;break"
-	wm title $w "[appname] ([reponame]): Create Branch"
-	tkwait window $w
-}
-
-proc do_delete_branch_action {w} {
-	global all_heads
-	global delete_branch_checktype delete_branch_head delete_branch_trackinghead
-
-	set check_rev {}
-	switch -- $delete_branch_checktype {
-	head {set check_rev $delete_branch_head}
-	tracking {set check_rev $delete_branch_trackinghead}
-	always {set check_rev {:none}}
-	}
-	if {$check_rev eq {:none}} {
-		set check_cmt {}
-	} elseif {[catch {set check_cmt [git rev-parse --verify "${check_rev}^0"]}]} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "Invalid check revision: $check_rev"
-		return
-	}
-
-	set to_delete [list]
-	set not_merged [list]
-	foreach i [$w.list.l curselection] {
-		set b [$w.list.l get $i]
-		if {[catch {set o [git rev-parse --verify $b]}]} continue
-		if {$check_cmt ne {}} {
-			if {$b eq $check_rev} continue
-			if {[catch {set m [git merge-base $o $check_cmt]}]} continue
-			if {$o ne $m} {
-				lappend not_merged $b
-				continue
-			}
-		}
-		lappend to_delete [list $b $o]
-	}
-	if {$not_merged ne {}} {
-		set msg "The following branches are not completely merged into $check_rev:
-
- - [join $not_merged "\n - "]"
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon info \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message $msg
-	}
-	if {$to_delete eq {}} return
-	if {$delete_branch_checktype eq {always}} {
-		set msg {Recovering deleted branches is difficult.
-
-Delete the selected branches?}
-		if {[tk_messageBox \
-			-icon warning \
-			-type yesno \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message $msg] ne yes} {
-			return
-		}
-	}
-
-	set failed {}
-	foreach i $to_delete {
-		set b [lindex $i 0]
-		set o [lindex $i 1]
-		if {[catch {git update-ref -d "refs/heads/$b" $o} err]} {
-			append failed " - $b: $err\n"
-		} else {
-			set x [lsearch -sorted -exact $all_heads $b]
-			if {$x >= 0} {
-				set all_heads [lreplace $all_heads $x $x]
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	if {$failed ne {}} {
-		tk_messageBox \
-			-icon error \
-			-type ok \
-			-title [wm title $w] \
-			-parent $w \
-			-message "Failed to delete branches:\n$failed"
-	}
-
-	set all_heads [lsort $all_heads]
-	populate_branch_menu
-	destroy $w
-}
-
-proc do_delete_branch {} {
-	global all_heads tracking_branches current_branch
-	global delete_branch_checktype delete_branch_head delete_branch_trackinghead
-
-	set w .branch_editor
-	toplevel $w
-	wm geometry $w "+[winfo rootx .]+[winfo rooty .]"
-
-	label $w.header -text {Delete Local Branch} \
-		-font font_uibold
-	pack $w.header -side top -fill x
-
-	frame $w.buttons
-	button $w.buttons.create -text Delete \
-		-command [list do_delete_branch_action $w]
-	pack $w.buttons.create -side right
-	button $w.buttons.cancel -text {Cancel} \
-		-command [list destroy $w]
-	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
-	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
-
-	labelframe $w.list -text {Local Branches}
-	listbox $w.list.l \
-		-height 10 \
-		-width 70 \
-		-selectmode extended \
-		-yscrollcommand [list $w.list.sby set]
-	foreach h $all_heads {
-		if {$h ne $current_branch} {
-			$w.list.l insert end $h
-		}
-	}
-	scrollbar $w.list.sby -command [list $w.list.l yview]
-	pack $w.list.sby -side right -fill y
-	pack $w.list.l -side left -fill both -expand 1
-	pack $w.list -fill both -expand 1 -pady 5 -padx 5
-
-	labelframe $w.validate -text {Delete Only If}
-	radiobutton $w.validate.head_r \
-		-text {Merged Into Local Branch:} \
-		-value head \
-		-variable delete_branch_checktype
-	eval tk_optionMenu $w.validate.head_m delete_branch_head $all_heads
-	grid $w.validate.head_r $w.validate.head_m -sticky w
-	set all_trackings [all_tracking_branches]
-	if {$all_trackings ne {}} {
-		set delete_branch_trackinghead [lindex $all_trackings 0]
-		radiobutton $w.validate.tracking_r \
-			-text {Merged Into Tracking Branch:} \
-			-value tracking \
-			-variable delete_branch_checktype
-		eval tk_optionMenu $w.validate.tracking_m \
-			delete_branch_trackinghead \
-			$all_trackings
-		grid $w.validate.tracking_r $w.validate.tracking_m -sticky w
-	}
-	radiobutton $w.validate.always_r \
-		-text {Always (Do not perform merge checks)} \
-		-value always \
-		-variable delete_branch_checktype
-	grid $w.validate.always_r -columnspan 2 -sticky w
-	grid columnconfigure $w.validate 1 -weight 1
-	pack $w.validate -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
-
-	set delete_branch_head $current_branch
-	set delete_branch_checktype head
-
-	bind $w <Visibility> "grab $w; focus $w"
-	bind $w <Key-Escape> "destroy $w"
-	wm title $w "[appname] ([reponame]): Delete Branch"
-	tkwait window $w
-}
-
-proc switch_branch {new_branch} {
-	global HEAD commit_type current_branch repo_config
-
-	if {![lock_index switch]} return
-
-	# -- Our in memory state should match the repository.
-	#
-	repository_state curType curHEAD curMERGE_HEAD
-	if {[string match amend* $commit_type]
-		&& $curType eq {normal}
-		&& $curHEAD eq $HEAD} {
-	} elseif {$commit_type ne $curType || $HEAD ne $curHEAD} {
-		info_popup {Last scanned state does not match repository state.
-
-Another Git program has modified this repository since the last scan.  A rescan must be performed before the current branch can be changed.
-
-The rescan will be automatically started now.
-}
-		unlock_index
-		rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}
-		return
-	}
-
-	# -- Don't do a pointless switch.
-	#
-	if {$current_branch eq $new_branch} {
-		unlock_index
-		return
-	}
-
-	if {$repo_config(gui.trustmtime) eq {true}} {
-		switch_branch_stage2 {} $new_branch
-	} else {
-		set ui_status_value {Refreshing file status...}
-		set cmd [list git update-index]
-		lappend cmd -q
-		lappend cmd --unmerged
-		lappend cmd --ignore-missing
-		lappend cmd --refresh
-		set fd_rf [open "| $cmd" r]
-		fconfigure $fd_rf -blocking 0 -translation binary
-		fileevent $fd_rf readable \
-			[list switch_branch_stage2 $fd_rf $new_branch]
-	}
-}
-
-proc switch_branch_stage2 {fd_rf new_branch} {
-	global ui_status_value HEAD
-
-	if {$fd_rf ne {}} {
-		read $fd_rf
-		if {![eof $fd_rf]} return
-		close $fd_rf
-	}
-
-	set ui_status_value "Updating working directory to '$new_branch'..."
-	set cmd [list git read-tree]
-	lappend cmd -m
-	lappend cmd -u
-	lappend cmd --exclude-per-directory=.gitignore
-	lappend cmd $HEAD
-	lappend cmd $new_branch
-	set fd_rt [open "| $cmd" r]
-	fconfigure $fd_rt -blocking 0 -translation binary
-	fileevent $fd_rt readable \
-		[list switch_branch_readtree_wait $fd_rt $new_branch]
-}
-
-proc switch_branch_readtree_wait {fd_rt new_branch} {
-	global selected_commit_type commit_type HEAD MERGE_HEAD PARENT
-	global current_branch
-	global ui_comm ui_status_value
-
-	# -- We never get interesting output on stdout; only stderr.
-	#
-	read $fd_rt
-	fconfigure $fd_rt -blocking 1
-	if {![eof $fd_rt]} {
-		fconfigure $fd_rt -blocking 0
-		return
-	}
-
-	# -- The working directory wasn't in sync with the index and
-	#    we'd have to overwrite something to make the switch. A
-	#    merge is required.
-	#
-	if {[catch {close $fd_rt} err]} {
-		regsub {^fatal: } $err {} err
-		warn_popup "File level merge required.
-
-$err
-
-Staying on branch '$current_branch'."
-		set ui_status_value "Aborted checkout of '$new_branch' (file level merging is required)."
-		unlock_index
-		return
-	}
-
-	# -- Update the symbolic ref.  Core git doesn't even check for failure
-	#    here, it Just Works(tm).  If it doesn't we are in some really ugly
-	#    state that is difficult to recover from within git-gui.
-	#
-	if {[catch {git symbolic-ref HEAD "refs/heads/$new_branch"} err]} {
-		error_popup "Failed to set current branch.
-
-This working directory is only partially switched.  We successfully updated your files, but failed to update an internal Git file.
-
-This should not have occurred.  [appname] will now close and give up.
-
-$err"
-		do_quit
-		return
-	}
-
-	# -- Update our repository state.  If we were previously in amend mode
-	#    we need to toss the current buffer and do a full rescan to update
-	#    our file lists.  If we weren't in amend mode our file lists are
-	#    accurate and we can avoid the rescan.
-	#
-	unlock_index
-	set selected_commit_type new
-	if {[string match amend* $commit_type]} {
-		$ui_comm delete 0.0 end
-		$ui_comm edit reset
-		$ui_comm edit modified false
-		rescan {set ui_status_value "Checked out branch '$current_branch'."}
-	} else {
-		repository_state commit_type HEAD MERGE_HEAD
-		set PARENT $HEAD
-		set ui_status_value "Checked out branch '$current_branch'."
-	}
-}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/branch_checkout.tcl b/git-gui/lib/branch_checkout.tcl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..72c45b4554
--- /dev/null
+++ b/git-gui/lib/branch_checkout.tcl
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+# git-gui branch checkout support
+# Copyright (C) 2007 Shawn Pearce
+
+class branch_checkout {
+
+field w              ; # widget path
+field w_rev          ; # mega-widget to pick the initial revision
+
+field opt_fetch     1; # refetch tracking branch if used?
+field opt_detach    0; # force a detached head case?
+
+constructor dialog {} {
+	make_toplevel top w
+	wm title $top "[appname] ([reponame]): Checkout Branch"
+	if {$top ne {.}} {
+		wm geometry $top "+[winfo rootx .]+[winfo rooty .]"
+	}
+
+	label $w.header -text {Checkout Branch} -font font_uibold
+	pack $w.header -side top -fill x
+
+	frame $w.buttons
+	button $w.buttons.create -text Checkout \
+		-default active \
+		-command [cb _checkout]
+	pack $w.buttons.create -side right
+	button $w.buttons.cancel -text {Cancel} \
+		-command [list destroy $w]
+	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
+	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
+
+	set w_rev [::choose_rev::new $w.rev {Revision}]
+	$w_rev bind_listbox <Double-Button-1> [cb _checkout]
+	pack $w.rev -anchor nw -fill both -expand 1 -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	labelframe $w.options -text {Options}
+
+	checkbutton $w.options.fetch \
+		-text {Fetch Tracking Branch} \
+		-variable @opt_fetch
+	pack $w.options.fetch -anchor nw
+
+	checkbutton $w.options.detach \
+		-text {Detach From Local Branch} \
+		-variable @opt_detach
+	pack $w.options.detach -anchor nw
+
+	pack $w.options -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	bind $w <Visibility> [cb _visible]
+	bind $w <Key-Escape> [list destroy $w]
+	bind $w <Key-Return> [cb _checkout]\;break
+	tkwait window $w
+}
+
+method _checkout {} {
+	set spec [$w_rev get_tracking_branch]
+	if {$spec ne {} && $opt_fetch} {
+		set new {}
+	} elseif {[catch {set new [$w_rev commit_or_die]}]} {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if {$opt_detach} {
+		set ref {}
+	} else {
+		set ref [$w_rev get_local_branch]
+	}
+
+	set co [::checkout_op::new [$w_rev get] $new $ref]
+	$co parent $w
+	$co enable_checkout 1
+	if {$spec ne {} && $opt_fetch} {
+		$co enable_fetch $spec
+	}
+
+	if {[$co run]} {
+		destroy $w
+	} else {
+		$w_rev focus_filter
+	}
+}
+
+method _visible {} {
+	grab $w
+	$w_rev focus_filter
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/branch_create.tcl b/git-gui/lib/branch_create.tcl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..def615d19d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/git-gui/lib/branch_create.tcl
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+# git-gui branch create support
+# Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Shawn Pearce
+
+class branch_create {
+
+field w              ; # widget path
+field w_rev          ; # mega-widget to pick the initial revision
+field w_name         ; # new branch name widget
+
+field name         {}; # name of the branch the user has chosen
+field name_type  user; # type of branch name to use
+
+field opt_merge    ff; # type of merge to apply to existing branch
+field opt_checkout  1; # automatically checkout the new branch?
+field opt_fetch     1; # refetch tracking branch if used?
+field reset_ok      0; # did the user agree to reset?
+
+constructor dialog {} {
+	global repo_config
+
+	make_toplevel top w
+	wm title $top "[appname] ([reponame]): Create Branch"
+	if {$top ne {.}} {
+		wm geometry $top "+[winfo rootx .]+[winfo rooty .]"
+	}
+
+	label $w.header -text {Create New Branch} -font font_uibold
+	pack $w.header -side top -fill x
+
+	frame $w.buttons
+	button $w.buttons.create -text Create \
+		-default active \
+		-command [cb _create]
+	pack $w.buttons.create -side right
+	button $w.buttons.cancel -text {Cancel} \
+		-command [list destroy $w]
+	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
+	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
+
+	labelframe $w.desc -text {Branch Name}
+	radiobutton $w.desc.name_r \
+		-anchor w \
+		-text {Name:} \
+		-value user \
+		-variable @name_type
+	set w_name $w.desc.name_t
+	entry $w_name \
+		-borderwidth 1 \
+		-relief sunken \
+		-width 40 \
+		-textvariable @name \
+		-validate key \
+		-validatecommand [cb _validate %d %S]
+	grid $w.desc.name_r $w_name -sticky we -padx {0 5}
+
+	radiobutton $w.desc.match_r \
+		-anchor w \
+		-text {Match Tracking Branch Name} \
+		-value match \
+		-variable @name_type
+	grid $w.desc.match_r -sticky we -padx {0 5} -columnspan 2
+
+	grid columnconfigure $w.desc 1 -weight 1
+	pack $w.desc -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	set w_rev [::choose_rev::new $w.rev {Starting Revision}]
+	pack $w.rev -anchor nw -fill both -expand 1 -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	labelframe $w.options -text {Options}
+
+	frame $w.options.merge
+	label $w.options.merge.l -text {Update Existing Branch:}
+	pack $w.options.merge.l -side left
+	radiobutton $w.options.merge.no \
+		-text No \
+		-value none \
+		-variable @opt_merge
+	pack $w.options.merge.no -side left
+	radiobutton $w.options.merge.ff \
+		-text {Fast Forward Only} \
+		-value ff \
+		-variable @opt_merge
+	pack $w.options.merge.ff -side left
+	radiobutton $w.options.merge.reset \
+		-text {Reset} \
+		-value reset \
+		-variable @opt_merge
+	pack $w.options.merge.reset -side left
+	pack $w.options.merge -anchor nw
+
+	checkbutton $w.options.fetch \
+		-text {Fetch Tracking Branch} \
+		-variable @opt_fetch
+	pack $w.options.fetch -anchor nw
+
+	checkbutton $w.options.checkout \
+		-text {Checkout After Creation} \
+		-variable @opt_checkout
+	pack $w.options.checkout -anchor nw
+	pack $w.options -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	trace add variable @name_type write [cb _select]
+
+	set name $repo_config(gui.newbranchtemplate)
+	if {[is_config_true gui.matchtrackingbranch]} {
+		set name_type match
+	}
+
+	bind $w <Visibility> [cb _visible]
+	bind $w <Key-Escape> [list destroy $w]
+	bind $w <Key-Return> [cb _create]\;break
+	tkwait window $w
+}
+
+method _create {} {
+	global repo_config
+	global M1B
+
+	set spec [$w_rev get_tracking_branch]
+	switch -- $name_type {
+	user {
+		set newbranch $name
+	}
+	match {
+		if {$spec eq {}} {
+			tk_messageBox \
+				-icon error \
+				-type ok \
+				-title [wm title $w] \
+				-parent $w \
+				-message "Please select a tracking branch."
+			return
+		}
+		if {![regsub ^refs/heads/ [lindex $spec 2] {} newbranch]} {
+			tk_messageBox \
+				-icon error \
+				-type ok \
+				-title [wm title $w] \
+				-parent $w \
+				-message "Tracking branch [$w get] is not a branch in the remote repository."
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	}
+
+	if {$newbranch eq {}
+		|| $newbranch eq $repo_config(gui.newbranchtemplate)} {
+		tk_messageBox \
+			-icon error \
+			-type ok \
+			-title [wm title $w] \
+			-parent $w \
+			-message "Please supply a branch name."
+		focus $w_name
+		return
+	}
+
+	if {[catch {git check-ref-format "heads/$newbranch"}]} {
+		tk_messageBox \
+			-icon error \
+			-type ok \
+			-title [wm title $w] \
+			-parent $w \
+			-message "'$newbranch' is not an acceptable branch name."
+		focus $w_name
+		return
+	}
+
+	if {$spec ne {} && $opt_fetch} {
+		set new {}
+	} elseif {[catch {set new [$w_rev commit_or_die]}]} {
+		return
+	}
+
+	set co [::checkout_op::new \
+		[$w_rev get] \
+		$new \
+		refs/heads/$newbranch]
+	$co parent $w
+	$co enable_create   1
+	$co enable_merge    $opt_merge
+	$co enable_checkout $opt_checkout
+	if {$spec ne {} && $opt_fetch} {
+		$co enable_fetch $spec
+	}
+
+	if {[$co run]} {
+		destroy $w
+	} else {
+		focus $w_name
+	}
+}
+
+method _validate {d S} {
+	if {$d == 1} {
+		if {[regexp {[~^:?*\[\0- ]} $S]} {
+			return 0
+		}
+		if {[string length $S] > 0} {
+			set name_type user
+		}
+	}
+	return 1
+}
+
+method _select {args} {
+	if {$name_type eq {match}} {
+		$w_rev pick_tracking_branch
+	}
+}
+
+method _visible {} {
+	grab $w
+	if {$name_type eq {user}} {
+		$w_name icursor end
+		focus $w_name
+	}
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/branch_delete.tcl b/git-gui/lib/branch_delete.tcl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c7573c6c72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/git-gui/lib/branch_delete.tcl
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+# git-gui branch delete support
+# Copyright (C) 2007 Shawn Pearce
+
+class branch_delete {
+
+field w               ; # widget path
+field w_heads         ; # listbox of local head names
+field w_check         ; # revision picker for merge test
+field w_delete        ; # delete button
+
+constructor dialog {} {
+	global current_branch
+
+	make_toplevel top w
+	wm title $top "[appname] ([reponame]): Delete Branch"
+	if {$top ne {.}} {
+		wm geometry $top "+[winfo rootx .]+[winfo rooty .]"
+	}
+
+	label $w.header -text {Delete Local Branch} -font font_uibold
+	pack $w.header -side top -fill x
+
+	frame $w.buttons
+	set w_delete $w.buttons.delete
+	button $w_delete \
+		-text Delete \
+		-default active \
+		-state disabled \
+		-command [cb _delete]
+	pack $w_delete -side right
+	button $w.buttons.cancel \
+		-text {Cancel} \
+		-command [list destroy $w]
+	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
+	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
+
+	labelframe $w.list -text {Local Branches}
+	set w_heads $w.list.l
+	listbox $w_heads \
+		-height 10 \
+		-width 70 \
+		-selectmode extended \
+		-exportselection false \
+		-yscrollcommand [list $w.list.sby set]
+	scrollbar $w.list.sby -command [list $w.list.l yview]
+	pack $w.list.sby -side right -fill y
+	pack $w.list.l -side left -fill both -expand 1
+	pack $w.list -fill both -expand 1 -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	set w_check [choose_rev::new \
+		$w.check \
+		{Delete Only If Merged Into} \
+		]
+	$w_check none {Always (Do not perform merge test.)}
+	pack $w.check -anchor nw -fill x -pady 5 -padx 5
+
+	foreach h [load_all_heads] {
+		if {$h ne $current_branch} {
+			$w_heads insert end $h
+		}
+	}
+
+	bind $w_heads <<ListboxSelect>> [cb _select]
+	bind $w <Visibility> "
+		grab $w
+		focus $w
+	"
+	bind $w <Key-Escape> [list destroy $w]
+	bind $w <Key-Return> [cb _delete]\;break
+	tkwait window $w
+}
+
+method _select {} {
+	if {[$w_heads curselection] eq {}} {
+		$w_delete configure -state disabled
+	} else {
+		$w_delete configure -state normal
+	}
+}
+
+method _delete {} {
+	if {[catch {set check_cmt [$w_check commit_or_die]}]} {
+		return
+	}
+
+	set to_delete [list]
+	set not_merged [list]
+	foreach i [$w_heads curselection] {
+		set b [$w_heads get $i]
+		if {[catch {
+			set o [git rev-parse --verify "refs/heads/$b"]
+		}]} continue
+		if {$check_cmt ne {}} {
+			if {[catch {set m [git merge-base $o $check_cmt]}]} continue
+			if {$o ne $m} {
+				lappend not_merged $b
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+		lappend to_delete [list $b $o]
+	}
+	if {$not_merged ne {}} {
+		set msg "The following branches are not completely merged into [$w_check get]:
+
+ - [join $not_merged "\n - "]"
+		tk_messageBox \
+			-icon info \
+			-type ok \
+			-title [wm title $w] \
+			-parent $w \
+			-message $msg
+	}
+	if {$to_delete eq {}} return
+	if {$check_cmt eq {}} {
+		set msg {Recovering deleted branches is difficult.
+
+Delete the selected branches?}
+		if {[tk_messageBox \
+			-icon warning \
+			-type yesno \
+			-title [wm title $w] \
+			-parent $w \
+			-message $msg] ne yes} {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
+	set failed {}
+	foreach i $to_delete {
+		set b [lindex $i 0]
+		set o [lindex $i 1]
+		if {[catch {git update-ref -d "refs/heads/$b" $o} err]} {
+			append failed " - $b: $err\n"
+		}
+	}
+
+	if {$failed ne {}} {
+		tk_messageBox \
+			-icon error \
+			-type ok \
+			-title [wm title $w] \
+			-parent $w \
+			-message "Failed to delete branches:\n$failed"
+	}
+
+	destroy $w
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/branch_rename.tcl b/git-gui/lib/branch_rename.tcl
index 405101637f..1cadc31d20 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/branch_rename.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/branch_rename.tcl
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ field oldname
 field newname
 
 constructor dialog {} {
-	global all_heads current_branch
+	global current_branch
 
 	make_toplevel top w
 	wm title $top "[appname] ([reponame]): Rename Branch"
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ constructor dialog {} {
 
 	frame $w.rename
 	label $w.rename.oldname_l -text {Branch:}
-	eval tk_optionMenu $w.rename.oldname_m @oldname $all_heads
+	eval tk_optionMenu $w.rename.oldname_m @oldname [load_all_heads]
 
 	label $w.rename.newname_l -text {New Name:}
 	entry $w.rename.newname_t \
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ constructor dialog {} {
 }
 
 method _rename {} {
-	global all_heads current_branch
+	global current_branch
 
 	if {$oldname eq {}} {
 		tk_messageBox \
@@ -118,14 +118,6 @@ method _rename {} {
 		return
 	}
 
-	set oldidx [lsearch -exact -sorted $all_heads $oldname]
-	if {$oldidx >= 0} {
-		set all_heads [lreplace $all_heads $oldidx $oldidx]
-	}
-	lappend all_heads $newname
-	set all_heads [lsort $all_heads]
-	populate_branch_menu
-
 	if {$current_branch eq $oldname} {
 		set current_branch $newname
 	}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/browser.tcl b/git-gui/lib/browser.tcl
index 3d6341bcc5..911e5af7f4 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/browser.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/browser.tcl
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ field browser_status {Starting...}
 field browser_stack  {}
 field browser_busy   1
 
+field ls_buf     {}; # Buffered record output from ls-tree
+
 constructor new {commit} {
 	global cursor_ptr M1B
 	make_toplevel top w
@@ -160,7 +162,7 @@ method _click {was_double_click pos} {
 }
 
 method _ls {tree_id {name {}}} {
-	set browser_buffer {}
+	set ls_buf {}
 	set browser_files {}
 	set browser_busy 1
 
@@ -178,24 +180,25 @@ method _ls {tree_id {name {}}} {
 	lappend browser_stack [list $tree_id $name]
 	$w conf -state disabled
 
-	set cmd [list git ls-tree -z $tree_id]
-	set fd [open "| $cmd" r]
+	set fd [git_read ls-tree -z $tree_id]
 	fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation binary -encoding binary
 	fileevent $fd readable [cb _read $fd]
 }
 
 method _read {fd} {
-	append browser_buffer [read $fd]
-	set pck [split $browser_buffer "\0"]
-	set browser_buffer [lindex $pck end]
+	append ls_buf [read $fd]
+	set pck [split $ls_buf "\0"]
+	set ls_buf [lindex $pck end]
 
 	set n [llength $browser_files]
 	$w conf -state normal
 	foreach p [lrange $pck 0 end-1] {
-		set info [split $p "\t"]
-		set path [lindex $info 1]
-		set info [split [lindex $info 0] { }]
-		set type [lindex $info 1]
+		set tab [string first "\t" $p]
+		if {$tab == -1} continue
+
+		set info [split [string range $p 0 [expr {$tab - 1}]] { }]
+		set path [string range $p [expr {$tab + 1}] end]
+		set type   [lindex $info 1]
 		set object [lindex $info 2]
 
 		switch -- $type {
@@ -225,7 +228,7 @@ method _read {fd} {
 		close $fd
 		set browser_status Ready.
 		set browser_busy 0
-		unset browser_buffer
+		set ls_buf {}
 		if {$n > 0} {
 			$w tag add in_sel 1.0 2.0
 			focus -force $w
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/checkout_op.tcl b/git-gui/lib/checkout_op.tcl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..00a994be12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/git-gui/lib/checkout_op.tcl
@@ -0,0 +1,579 @@
+# git-gui commit checkout support
+# Copyright (C) 2007 Shawn Pearce
+
+class checkout_op {
+
+field w        {}; # our window (if we have one)
+field w_cons   {}; # embedded console window object
+
+field new_expr   ; # expression the user saw/thinks this is
+field new_hash   ; # commit SHA-1 we are switching to
+field new_ref    ; # ref we are updating/creating
+
+field parent_w      .; # window that started us
+field merge_type none; # type of merge to apply to existing branch
+field fetch_spec   {}; # refetch tracking branch if used?
+field checkout      1; # actually checkout the branch?
+field create        0; # create the branch if it doesn't exist?
+
+field reset_ok      0; # did the user agree to reset?
+field fetch_ok      0; # did the fetch succeed?
+
+field readtree_d   {}; # buffered output from read-tree
+field update_old   {}; # was the update-ref call deferred?
+field reflog_msg   {}; # log message for the update-ref call
+
+constructor new {expr hash {ref {}}} {
+	set new_expr $expr
+	set new_hash $hash
+	set new_ref  $ref
+
+	return $this
+}
+
+method parent {path} {
+	set parent_w [winfo toplevel $path]
+}
+
+method enable_merge {type} {
+	set merge_type $type
+}
+
+method enable_fetch {spec} {
+	set fetch_spec $spec
+}
+
+method enable_checkout {co} {
+	set checkout $co
+}
+
+method enable_create {co} {
+	set create $co
+}
+
+method run {} {
+	if {$fetch_spec ne {}} {
+		global M1B
+
+		# We were asked to refresh a single tracking branch
+		# before we get to work.  We should do that before we
+		# consider any ref updating.
+		#
+		set fetch_ok 0
+		set l_trck [lindex $fetch_spec 0]
+		set remote [lindex $fetch_spec 1]
+		set r_head [lindex $fetch_spec 2]
+		regsub ^refs/heads/ $r_head {} r_name
+
+		_toplevel $this {Refreshing Tracking Branch}
+		set w_cons [::console::embed \
+			$w.console \
+			"Fetching $r_name from $remote"]
+		pack $w.console -fill both -expand 1
+		$w_cons exec \
+			[list git fetch $remote +$r_head:$l_trck] \
+			[cb _finish_fetch]
+
+		bind $w <$M1B-Key-w> break
+		bind $w <$M1B-Key-W> break
+		bind $w <Visibility> "
+			[list grab $w]
+			[list focus $w]
+		"
+		wm protocol $w WM_DELETE_WINDOW [cb _noop]
+		tkwait window $w
+
+		if {!$fetch_ok} {
+			delete_this
+			return 0
+		}
+	}
+
+	if {$new_ref ne {}} {
+		# If we have a ref we need to update it before we can
+		# proceed with a checkout (if one was enabled).
+		#
+		if {![_update_ref $this]} {
+			delete_this
+			return 0
+		}
+	}
+
+	if {$checkout} {
+		_checkout $this
+		return 1
+	}
+
+	delete_this
+	return 1
+}
+
+method _noop {} {}
+
+method _finish_fetch {ok} {
+	if {$ok} {
+		set l_trck [lindex $fetch_spec 0]
+		if {[catch {set new_hash [git rev-parse --verify "$l_trck^0"]} err]} {
+			set ok 0
+			$w_cons insert "fatal: Cannot resolve $l_trck"
+			$w_cons insert $err
+		}
+	}
+
+	$w_cons done $ok
+	set w_cons {}
+	wm protocol $w WM_DELETE_WINDOW {}
+
+	if {$ok} {
+		destroy $w
+		set w {}
+	} else {
+		button $w.close -text Close -command [list destroy $w]
+		pack $w.close -side bottom -anchor e -padx 10 -pady 10
+	}
+
+	set fetch_ok $ok
+}
+
+method _update_ref {} {
+	global null_sha1 current_branch
+
+	set ref $new_ref
+	set new $new_hash
+
+	set is_current 0
+	set rh refs/heads/
+	set rn [string length $rh]
+	if {[string equal -length $rn $rh $ref]} {
+		set newbranch [string range $ref $rn end]
+		if {$current_branch eq $newbranch} {
+			set is_current 1
+		}
+	} else {
+		set newbranch $ref
+	}
+
+	if {[catch {set cur [git rev-parse --verify "$ref^0"]}]} {
+		# Assume it does not exist, and that is what the error was.
+		#
+		if {!$create} {
+			_error $this "Branch '$newbranch' does not exist."
+			return 0
+		}
+
+		set reflog_msg "branch: Created from $new_expr"
+		set cur $null_sha1
+	} elseif {$create && $merge_type eq {none}} {
+		# We were told to create it, but not do a merge.
+		# Bad.  Name shouldn't have existed.
+		#
+		_error $this "Branch '$newbranch' already exists."
+		return 0
+	} elseif {!$create && $merge_type eq {none}} {
+		# We aren't creating, it exists and we don't merge.
+		# We are probably just a simple branch switch.
+		# Use whatever value we just read.
+		#
+		set new      $cur
+		set new_hash $cur
+	} elseif {$new eq $cur} {
+		# No merge would be required, don't compute anything.
+		#
+	} else {
+		set mrb {}
+		catch {set mrb [git merge-base $new $cur]}
+		switch -- $merge_type {
+		ff {
+			if {$mrb eq $new} {
+				# The current branch is actually newer.
+				#
+				set new $cur
+			} elseif {$mrb eq $cur} {
+				# The current branch is older.
+				#
+				set reflog_msg "merge $new_expr: Fast-forward"
+			} else {
+				_error $this "Branch '$newbranch' already exists.\n\nIt cannot fast-forward to $new_expr.\nA merge is required."
+				return 0
+			}
+		}
+		reset {
+			if {$mrb eq $cur} {
+				# The current branch is older.
+				#
+				set reflog_msg "merge $new_expr: Fast-forward"
+			} else {
+				# The current branch will lose things.
+				#
+				if {[_confirm_reset $this $cur]} {
+					set reflog_msg "reset $new_expr"
+				} else {
+					return 0
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		default {
+			_error $this "Only 'ff' and 'reset' merge is currently supported."
+			return 0
+		}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if {$new ne $cur} {
+		if {$is_current} {
+			# No so fast.  We should defer this in case
+			# we cannot update the working directory.
+			#
+			set update_old $cur
+			return 1
+		}
+
+		if {[catch {
+				git update-ref -m $reflog_msg $ref $new $cur
+			} err]} {
+			_error $this "Failed to update '$newbranch'.\n\n$err"
+			return 0
+		}
+	}
+
+	return 1
+}
+
+method _checkout {} {
+	if {[lock_index checkout_op]} {
+		after idle [cb _start_checkout]
+	} else {
+		_error $this "Index is already locked."
+		delete_this
+	}
+}
+
+method _start_checkout {} {
+	global HEAD commit_type
+
+	# -- Our in memory state should match the repository.
+	#
+	repository_state curType curHEAD curMERGE_HEAD
+	if {[string match amend* $commit_type]
+		&& $curType eq {normal}
+		&& $curHEAD eq $HEAD} {
+	} elseif {$commit_type ne $curType || $HEAD ne $curHEAD} {
+		info_popup {Last scanned state does not match repository state.
+
+Another Git program has modified this repository since the last scan.  A rescan must be performed before the current branch can be changed.
+
+The rescan will be automatically started now.
+}
+		unlock_index
+		rescan ui_ready
+		delete_this
+		return
+	}
+
+	if {[is_config_true gui.trustmtime]} {
+		_readtree $this
+	} else {
+		ui_status {Refreshing file status...}
+		set fd [git_read update-index \
+			-q \
+			--unmerged \
+			--ignore-missing \
+			--refresh \
+			]
+		fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation binary
+		fileevent $fd readable [cb _refresh_wait $fd]
+	}
+}
+
+method _refresh_wait {fd} {
+	read $fd
+	if {[eof $fd]} {
+		close $fd
+		_readtree $this
+	}
+}
+
+method _name {} {
+	if {$new_ref eq {}} {
+		return [string range $new_hash 0 7]
+	}
+
+	set rh refs/heads/
+	set rn [string length $rh]
+	if {[string equal -length $rn $rh $new_ref]} {
+		return [string range $new_ref $rn end]
+	} else {
+		return $new_ref
+	}
+}
+
+method _readtree {} {
+	global HEAD
+
+	set readtree_d {}
+	$::main_status start \
+		"Updating working directory to '[_name $this]'..." \
+		{files checked out}
+
+	set fd [git_read --stderr read-tree \
+		-m \
+		-u \
+		-v \
+		--exclude-per-directory=.gitignore \
+		$HEAD \
+		$new_hash \
+		]
+	fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation binary
+	fileevent $fd readable [cb _readtree_wait $fd]
+}
+
+method _readtree_wait {fd} {
+	global current_branch
+
+	set buf [read $fd]
+	$::main_status update_meter $buf
+	append readtree_d $buf
+
+	fconfigure $fd -blocking 1
+	if {![eof $fd]} {
+		fconfigure $fd -blocking 0
+		return
+	}
+
+	if {[catch {close $fd}]} {
+		set err $readtree_d
+		regsub {^fatal: } $err {} err
+		$::main_status stop "Aborted checkout of '[_name $this]' (file level merging is required)."
+		warn_popup "File level merge required.
+
+$err
+
+Staying on branch '$current_branch'."
+		unlock_index
+		delete_this
+		return
+	}
+
+	$::main_status stop
+	_after_readtree $this
+}
+
+method _after_readtree {} {
+	global selected_commit_type commit_type HEAD MERGE_HEAD PARENT
+	global current_branch is_detached
+	global ui_comm
+
+	set name [_name $this]
+	set log "checkout: moving"
+	if {!$is_detached} {
+		append log " from $current_branch"
+	}
+
+	# -- Move/create HEAD as a symbolic ref.  Core git does not
+	#    even check for failure here, it Just Works(tm).  If it
+	#    doesn't we are in some really ugly state that is difficult
+	#    to recover from within git-gui.
+	#
+	set rh refs/heads/
+	set rn [string length $rh]
+	if {[string equal -length $rn $rh $new_ref]} {
+		set new_branch [string range $new_ref $rn end]
+		append log " to $new_branch"
+
+		if {[catch {
+				git symbolic-ref -m $log HEAD $new_ref
+			} err]} {
+			_fatal $this $err
+		}
+		set current_branch $new_branch
+		set is_detached 0
+	} else {
+		append log " to $new_expr"
+
+		if {[catch {
+				_detach_HEAD $log $new_hash
+			} err]} {
+			_fatal $this $err
+		}
+		set current_branch HEAD
+		set is_detached 1
+	}
+
+	# -- We had to defer updating the branch itself until we
+	#    knew the working directory would update.  So now we
+	#    need to finish that work.  If it fails we're in big
+	#    trouble.
+	#
+	if {$update_old ne {}} {
+		if {[catch {
+				git update-ref \
+					-m $reflog_msg \
+					$new_ref \
+					$new_hash \
+					$update_old
+			} err]} {
+			_fatal $this $err
+		}
+	}
+
+	if {$is_detached} {
+		info_popup "You are no longer on a local branch.
+
+If you wanted to be on a branch, create one now starting from 'This Detached Checkout'."
+	}
+
+	# -- Update our repository state.  If we were previously in
+	#    amend mode we need to toss the current buffer and do a
+	#    full rescan to update our file lists.  If we weren't in
+	#    amend mode our file lists are accurate and we can avoid
+	#    the rescan.
+	#
+	unlock_index
+	set selected_commit_type new
+	if {[string match amend* $commit_type]} {
+		$ui_comm delete 0.0 end
+		$ui_comm edit reset
+		$ui_comm edit modified false
+		rescan [list ui_status "Checked out '$name'."]
+	} else {
+		repository_state commit_type HEAD MERGE_HEAD
+		set PARENT $HEAD
+		ui_status "Checked out '$name'."
+	}
+	delete_this
+}
+
+git-version proc _detach_HEAD {log new} {
+	>= 1.5.3 {
+		git update-ref --no-deref -m $log HEAD $new
+	}
+	default {
+		set p [gitdir HEAD]
+		file delete $p
+		set fd [open $p w]
+		fconfigure $fd -translation lf -encoding utf-8
+		puts $fd $new
+		close $fd
+	}
+}
+
+method _confirm_reset {cur} {
+	set reset_ok 0
+	set name [_name $this]
+	set gitk [list do_gitk [list $cur ^$new_hash]]
+
+	_toplevel $this {Confirm Branch Reset}
+	pack [label $w.msg1 \
+		-anchor w \
+		-justify left \
+		-text "Resetting '$name' to $new_expr will lose the following commits:" \
+		] -anchor w
+
+	set list $w.list.l
+	frame $w.list
+	text $list \
+		-font font_diff \
+		-width 80 \
+		-height 10 \
+		-wrap none \
+		-xscrollcommand [list $w.list.sbx set] \
+		-yscrollcommand [list $w.list.sby set]
+	scrollbar $w.list.sbx -orient h -command [list $list xview]
+	scrollbar $w.list.sby -orient v -command [list $list yview]
+	pack $w.list.sbx -fill x -side bottom
+	pack $w.list.sby -fill y -side right
+	pack $list -fill both -expand 1
+	pack $w.list -fill both -expand 1 -padx 5 -pady 5
+
+	pack [label $w.msg2 \
+		-anchor w \
+		-justify left \
+		-text {Recovering lost commits may not be easy.} \
+		]
+	pack [label $w.msg3 \
+		-anchor w \
+		-justify left \
+		-text "Reset '$name'?" \
+		]
+
+	frame $w.buttons
+	button $w.buttons.visualize \
+		-text Visualize \
+		-command $gitk
+	pack $w.buttons.visualize -side left
+	button $w.buttons.reset \
+		-text Reset \
+		-command "
+			set @reset_ok 1
+			destroy $w
+		"
+	pack $w.buttons.reset -side right
+	button $w.buttons.cancel \
+		-default active \
+		-text Cancel \
+		-command [list destroy $w]
+	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
+	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
+
+	set fd [git_read rev-list --pretty=oneline $cur ^$new_hash]
+	while {[gets $fd line] > 0} {
+		set abbr [string range $line 0 7]
+		set subj [string range $line 41 end]
+		$list insert end "$abbr  $subj\n"
+	}
+	close $fd
+	$list configure -state disabled
+
+	bind $w    <Key-v> $gitk
+	bind $w <Visibility> "
+		grab $w
+		focus $w.buttons.cancel
+	"
+	bind $w <Key-Return> [list destroy $w]
+	bind $w <Key-Escape> [list destroy $w]
+	tkwait window $w
+	return $reset_ok
+}
+
+method _error {msg} {
+	if {[winfo ismapped $parent_w]} {
+		set p $parent_w
+	} else {
+		set p .
+	}
+
+	tk_messageBox \
+		-icon error \
+		-type ok \
+		-title [wm title $p] \
+		-parent $p \
+		-message $msg
+}
+
+method _toplevel {title} {
+	regsub -all {::} $this {__} w
+	set w .$w
+
+	if {[winfo ismapped $parent_w]} {
+		set p $parent_w
+	} else {
+		set p .
+	}
+
+	toplevel $w
+	wm title $w $title
+	wm geometry $w "+[winfo rootx $p]+[winfo rooty $p]"
+}
+
+method _fatal {err} {
+	error_popup "Failed to set current branch.
+
+This working directory is only partially switched.  We successfully updated your files, but failed to update an internal Git file.
+
+This should not have occurred.  [appname] will now close and give up.
+
+$err"
+	exit 1
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/choose_rev.tcl b/git-gui/lib/choose_rev.tcl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..afd81707ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/git-gui/lib/choose_rev.tcl
@@ -0,0 +1,367 @@
+# git-gui revision chooser
+# Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Shawn Pearce
+
+class choose_rev {
+
+image create photo ::choose_rev::img_find -data {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}
+
+field w               ; # our megawidget path
+field w_list          ; # list of currently filtered specs
+field w_filter        ; # filter entry for $w_list
+
+field c_expr        {}; # current revision expression
+field filter          ; # current filter string
+field revtype     head; # type of revision chosen
+field cur_specs [list]; # list of specs for $revtype
+field spec_head       ; # list of all head specs
+field spec_trck       ; # list of all tracking branch specs
+field spec_tag        ; # list of all tag specs
+
+constructor new {path {title {}}} {
+	global current_branch is_detached
+
+	set w $path
+
+	if {$title ne {}} {
+		labelframe $w -text $title
+	} else {
+		frame $w
+	}
+	bind $w <Destroy> [cb _delete %W]
+
+	if {$is_detached} {
+		radiobutton $w.detachedhead_r \
+			-anchor w \
+			-text {This Detached Checkout} \
+			-value HEAD \
+			-variable @revtype
+		grid $w.detachedhead_r -sticky we -padx {0 5} -columnspan 2
+	}
+
+	radiobutton $w.expr_r \
+		-text {Revision Expression:} \
+		-value expr \
+		-variable @revtype
+	entry $w.expr_t \
+		-borderwidth 1 \
+		-relief sunken \
+		-width 50 \
+		-textvariable @c_expr \
+		-validate key \
+		-validatecommand [cb _validate %d %S]
+	grid $w.expr_r $w.expr_t -sticky we -padx {0 5}
+
+	frame $w.types
+	radiobutton $w.types.head_r \
+		-text {Local Branch} \
+		-value head \
+		-variable @revtype
+	pack $w.types.head_r -side left
+	radiobutton $w.types.trck_r \
+		-text {Tracking Branch} \
+		-value trck \
+		-variable @revtype
+	pack $w.types.trck_r -side left
+	radiobutton $w.types.tag_r \
+		-text {Tag} \
+		-value tag \
+		-variable @revtype
+	pack $w.types.tag_r -side left
+	set w_filter $w.types.filter
+	entry $w_filter \
+		-borderwidth 1 \
+		-relief sunken \
+		-width 12 \
+		-textvariable @filter \
+		-validate key \
+		-validatecommand [cb _filter %P]
+	pack $w_filter -side right
+	pack [label $w.types.filter_icon \
+		-image ::choose_rev::img_find \
+		] -side right
+	grid $w.types -sticky we -padx {0 5} -columnspan 2
+
+	frame $w.list
+	set w_list $w.list.l
+	listbox $w_list \
+		-font font_diff \
+		-width 50 \
+		-height 5 \
+		-selectmode browse \
+		-exportselection false \
+		-xscrollcommand [cb _sb_set $w.list.sbx h] \
+		-yscrollcommand [cb _sb_set $w.list.sby v]
+	pack $w_list -fill both -expand 1
+	grid $w.list -sticky nswe -padx {20 5} -columnspan 2
+
+	grid columnconfigure $w 1 -weight 1
+	if {$is_detached} {
+		grid rowconfigure $w 3 -weight 1
+	} else {
+		grid rowconfigure $w 2 -weight 1
+	}
+
+	trace add variable @revtype write [cb _select]
+	bind $w_filter <Key-Return> [list focus $w_list]\;break
+	bind $w_filter <Key-Down>   [list focus $w_list]
+
+	set spec_head [list]
+	foreach name [load_all_heads] {
+		lappend spec_head [list $name refs/heads/$name]
+	}
+
+	set spec_trck [list]
+	foreach spec [all_tracking_branches] {
+		set name [lindex $spec 0]
+		regsub ^refs/(heads|remotes)/ $name {} name
+		lappend spec_trck [concat $name $spec]
+	}
+
+	set spec_tag [list]
+	foreach name [load_all_tags] {
+		lappend spec_tag [list $name refs/tags/$name]
+	}
+
+		  if {$is_detached}             { set revtype HEAD
+	} elseif {[llength $spec_head] > 0} { set revtype head
+	} elseif {[llength $spec_trck] > 0} { set revtype trck
+	} elseif {[llength $spec_tag ] > 0} { set revtype tag
+	} else {                              set revtype expr
+	}
+
+	if {$revtype eq {head} && $current_branch ne {}} {
+		set i 0
+		foreach spec $spec_head {
+			if {[lindex $spec 0] eq $current_branch} {
+				$w_list selection clear 0 end
+				$w_list selection set $i
+				break
+			}
+			incr i
+		}
+	}
+
+	return $this
+}
+
+method none {text} {
+	if {![winfo exists $w.none_r]} {
+		radiobutton $w.none_r \
+			-anchor w \
+			-value none \
+			-variable @revtype
+		grid $w.none_r -sticky we -padx {0 5} -columnspan 2
+	}
+	$w.none_r configure -text $text
+}
+
+method get {} {
+	switch -- $revtype {
+	head -
+	trck -
+	tag  {
+		set i [$w_list curselection]
+		if {$i ne {}} {
+			return [lindex $cur_specs $i 0]
+		} else {
+			return {}
+		}
+	}
+
+	HEAD { return HEAD                     }
+	expr { return $c_expr                  }
+	none { return {}                       }
+	default { error "unknown type of revision" }
+	}
+}
+
+method pick_tracking_branch {} {
+	set revtype trck
+}
+
+method focus_filter {} {
+	if {[$w_filter cget -state] eq {normal}} {
+		focus $w_filter
+	}
+}
+
+method bind_listbox {event script}  {
+	bind $w_list $event $script
+}
+
+method get_local_branch {} {
+	if {$revtype eq {head}} {
+		return [_expr $this]
+	} else {
+		return {}
+	}
+}
+
+method get_tracking_branch {} {
+	set i [$w_list curselection]
+	if {$i eq {} || $revtype ne {trck}} {
+		return {}
+	}
+	return [lrange [lindex $cur_specs $i] 1 end]
+}
+
+method get_commit {} {
+	set e [_expr $this]
+	if {$e eq {}} {
+		return {}
+	}
+	return [git rev-parse --verify "$e^0"]
+}
+
+method commit_or_die {} {
+	if {[catch {set new [get_commit $this]} err]} {
+
+		# Cleanup the not-so-friendly error from rev-parse.
+		#
+		regsub {^fatal:\s*} $err {} err
+		if {$err eq {Needed a single revision}} {
+			set err {}
+		}
+
+		set top [winfo toplevel $w]
+		set msg "Invalid revision: [get $this]\n\n$err"
+		tk_messageBox \
+			-icon error \
+			-type ok \
+			-title [wm title $top] \
+			-parent $top \
+			-message $msg
+		error $msg
+	}
+	return $new
+}
+
+method _expr {} {
+	switch -- $revtype {
+	head -
+	trck -
+	tag  {
+		set i [$w_list curselection]
+		if {$i ne {}} {
+			return [lindex $cur_specs $i 1]
+		} else {
+			error "No revision selected."
+		}
+	}
+
+	expr {
+		if {$c_expr ne {}} {
+			return $c_expr
+		} else {
+			error "Revision expression is empty."
+		}
+	}
+	HEAD { return HEAD                     }
+	none { return {}                       }
+	default { error "unknown type of revision"      }
+	}
+}
+
+method _validate {d S} {
+	if {$d == 1} {
+		if {[regexp {\s} $S]} {
+			return 0
+		}
+		if {[string length $S] > 0} {
+			set revtype expr
+		}
+	}
+	return 1
+}
+
+method _filter {P} {
+	if {[regexp {\s} $P]} {
+		return 0
+	}
+	_rebuild $this $P
+	return 1
+}
+
+method _select {args} {
+	_rebuild $this $filter
+	focus_filter $this
+}
+
+method _rebuild {pat} {
+	set ste normal
+	switch -- $revtype {
+	head { set new $spec_head }
+	trck { set new $spec_trck }
+	tag  { set new $spec_tag  }
+	expr -
+	HEAD -
+	none {
+		set new [list]
+		set ste disabled
+	}
+	}
+
+	if {[$w_list cget -state] eq {disabled}} {
+		$w_list configure -state normal
+	}
+	$w_list delete 0 end
+
+	if {$pat ne {}} {
+		set pat *${pat}*
+	}
+	set cur_specs [list]
+	foreach spec $new {
+		set txt [lindex $spec 0]
+		if {$pat eq {} || [string match $pat $txt]} {
+			lappend cur_specs $spec
+			$w_list insert end $txt
+		}
+	}
+	if {$cur_specs ne {}} {
+		$w_list selection clear 0 end
+		$w_list selection set 0
+	}
+
+	if {[$w_filter cget -state] ne $ste} {
+		$w_list   configure -state $ste
+		$w_filter configure -state $ste
+	}
+}
+
+method _delete {current} {
+	if {$current eq $w} {
+		delete_this
+	}
+}
+
+method _sb_set {sb orient first last} {
+	set old_focus [focus -lastfor $w]
+
+	if {$first == 0 && $last == 1} {
+		if {[winfo exists $sb]} {
+			destroy $sb
+			if {$old_focus ne {}} {
+				update
+				focus $old_focus
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	if {![winfo exists $sb]} {
+		if {$orient eq {h}} {
+			scrollbar $sb -orient h -command [list $w_list xview]
+			pack $sb -fill x -side bottom -before $w_list
+		} else {
+			scrollbar $sb -orient v -command [list $w_list yview]
+			pack $sb -fill y -side right -before $w_list
+		}
+		if {$old_focus ne {}} {
+			update
+			focus $old_focus
+		}
+	}
+	$sb set $first $last
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/class.tcl b/git-gui/lib/class.tcl
index 9d298d0dcc..24e8cecea4 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/class.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/class.tcl
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ proc class {class body} {
 	if {[namespace exists $class]} {
 		error "class $class already declared"
 	}
-	namespace eval $class {
+	namespace eval $class "
 		variable __nextid     0
 		variable __sealed     0
 		variable __field_list {}
@@ -13,10 +13,9 @@ proc class {class body} {
 
 		proc cb {name args} {
 			upvar this this
-			set args [linsert $args 0 $name $this]
-			return [uplevel [list namespace code $args]]
+			concat \[list ${class}::\$name \$this\] \$args
 		}
-	}
+	"
 	namespace eval $class $body
 }
 
@@ -51,15 +50,16 @@ proc constructor {name params body} {
 	set mbodyc {}
 
 	append mbodyc {set this } $class
-	append mbodyc {::__o[incr } $class {::__nextid]} \;
-	append mbodyc {namespace eval $this {}} \;
+	append mbodyc {::__o[incr } $class {::__nextid]::__d} \;
+	append mbodyc {create_this } $class \;
+	append mbodyc {set __this [namespace qualifiers $this]} \;
 
 	if {$__field_list ne {}} {
 		append mbodyc {upvar #0}
 		foreach n $__field_list {
 			set n [lindex $n 0]
-			append mbodyc { ${this}::} $n { } $n
-			regsub -all @$n\\M $body "\${this}::$n" body
+			append mbodyc { ${__this}::} $n { } $n
+			regsub -all @$n\\M $body "\${__this}::$n" body
 		}
 		append mbodyc \;
 		foreach n $__field_list {
@@ -80,10 +80,12 @@ proc method {name params body {deleted {}} {del_body {}}} {
 	set params [linsert $params 0 this]
 	set mbodyc {}
 
+	append mbodyc {set __this [namespace qualifiers $this]} \;
+
 	switch $deleted {
 	{} {}
 	ifdeleted {
-		append mbodyc {if {![namespace exists $this]} }
+		append mbodyc {if {![namespace exists $__this]} }
 		append mbodyc \{ $del_body \; return \} \;
 	}
 	default {
@@ -98,10 +100,12 @@ proc method {name params body {deleted {}} {del_body {}}} {
 			if {   [regexp -all -- $n\\M $body] == 1
 				&& [regexp -all -- \\\$$n\\M $body] == 1
 				&& [regexp -all -- \\\$$n\\( $body] == 0} {
-				regsub -all \\\$$n\\M $body "\[set \${this}::$n\]" body
+				regsub -all \
+					\\\$$n\\M $body \
+					"\[set \${__this}::$n\]" body
 			} else {
-				append decl { ${this}::} $n { } $n
-				regsub -all @$n\\M $body "\${this}::$n" body
+				append decl { ${__this}::} $n { } $n
+				regsub -all @$n\\M $body "\${__this}::$n" body
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -112,11 +116,21 @@ proc method {name params body {deleted {}} {del_body {}}} {
 	namespace eval $class [list proc $name $params $mbodyc]
 }
 
+proc create_this {class} {
+	upvar this this
+	namespace eval [namespace qualifiers $this] [list proc \
+		[namespace tail $this] \
+		[list name args] \
+		"eval \[list ${class}::\$name $this\] \$args" \
+	]
+}
+
 proc delete_this {{t {}}} {
 	if {$t eq {}} {
 		upvar this this
 		set t $this
 	}
+	set t [namespace qualifiers $t]
 	if {[namespace exists $t]} {namespace delete $t}
 }
 
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/commit.tcl b/git-gui/lib/commit.tcl
index f9791f64db..46a78c158f 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/commit.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/commit.tcl
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ You are currently in the middle of a merge that has not been fully completed.  Y
 	set msg {}
 	set parents [list]
 	if {[catch {
-			set fd [open "| git cat-file commit $curHEAD" r]
+			set fd [git_read cat-file commit $curHEAD]
 			fconfigure $fd -encoding binary -translation lf
 			if {[catch {set enc $repo_config(i18n.commitencoding)}]} {
 				set enc utf-8
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ You are currently in the middle of a merge that has not been fully completed.  Y
 	$ui_comm insert end $msg
 	$ui_comm edit reset
 	$ui_comm edit modified false
-	rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}
+	rescan ui_ready
 }
 
 set GIT_COMMITTER_IDENT {}
@@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ proc create_new_commit {} {
 	$ui_comm delete 0.0 end
 	$ui_comm edit reset
 	$ui_comm edit modified false
-	rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}
+	rescan ui_ready
 }
 
 proc commit_tree {} {
 	global HEAD commit_type file_states ui_comm repo_config
-	global ui_status_value pch_error
+	global pch_error
 
 	if {[committer_ident] eq {}} return
 	if {![lock_index update]} return
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ Another Git program has modified this repository since the last scan.  A rescan
 The rescan will be automatically started now.
 }
 		unlock_index
-		rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}
+		rescan ui_ready
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ A good commit message has the following format:
 		return
 	}
 
-	set ui_status_value {Calling pre-commit hook...}
+	ui_status {Calling pre-commit hook...}
 	set pch_error {}
 	set fd_ph [open "| $pchook" r]
 	fconfigure $fd_ph -blocking 0 -translation binary
@@ -215,13 +215,13 @@ A good commit message has the following format:
 }
 
 proc commit_prehook_wait {fd_ph curHEAD msg} {
-	global pch_error ui_status_value
+	global pch_error
 
 	append pch_error [read $fd_ph]
 	fconfigure $fd_ph -blocking 1
 	if {[eof $fd_ph]} {
 		if {[catch {close $fd_ph}]} {
-			set ui_status_value {Commit declined by pre-commit hook.}
+			ui_status {Commit declined by pre-commit hook.}
 			hook_failed_popup pre-commit $pch_error
 			unlock_index
 		} else {
@@ -234,25 +234,23 @@ proc commit_prehook_wait {fd_ph curHEAD msg} {
 }
 
 proc commit_writetree {curHEAD msg} {
-	global ui_status_value
-
-	set ui_status_value {Committing changes...}
-	set fd_wt [open "| git write-tree" r]
+	ui_status {Committing changes...}
+	set fd_wt [git_read write-tree]
 	fileevent $fd_wt readable \
 		[list commit_committree $fd_wt $curHEAD $msg]
 }
 
 proc commit_committree {fd_wt curHEAD msg} {
 	global HEAD PARENT MERGE_HEAD commit_type
-	global all_heads current_branch
-	global ui_status_value ui_comm selected_commit_type
+	global current_branch
+	global ui_comm selected_commit_type
 	global file_states selected_paths rescan_active
 	global repo_config
 
 	gets $fd_wt tree_id
 	if {$tree_id eq {} || [catch {close $fd_wt} err]} {
 		error_popup "write-tree failed:\n\n$err"
-		set ui_status_value {Commit failed.}
+		ui_status {Commit failed.}
 		unlock_index
 		return
 	}
@@ -260,7 +258,18 @@ proc commit_committree {fd_wt curHEAD msg} {
 	# -- Verify this wasn't an empty change.
 	#
 	if {$commit_type eq {normal}} {
-		set old_tree [git rev-parse "$PARENT^{tree}"]
+		set fd_ot [git_read cat-file commit $PARENT]
+		fconfigure $fd_ot -encoding binary -translation lf
+		set old_tree [gets $fd_ot]
+		close $fd_ot
+
+		if {[string equal -length 5 {tree } $old_tree]
+			&& [string length $old_tree] == 45} {
+			set old_tree [string range $old_tree 5 end]
+		} else {
+			error "Commit $PARENT appears to be corrupt"
+		}
+
 		if {$tree_id eq $old_tree} {
 			info_popup {No changes to commit.
 
@@ -269,7 +278,7 @@ No files were modified by this commit and it was not a merge commit.
 A rescan will be automatically started now.
 }
 			unlock_index
-			rescan {set ui_status_value {No changes to commit.}}
+			rescan {ui_status {No changes to commit.}}
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -294,7 +303,7 @@ A rescan will be automatically started now.
 	lappend cmd <$msg_p
 	if {[catch {set cmt_id [eval git $cmd]} err]} {
 		error_popup "commit-tree failed:\n\n$err"
-		set ui_status_value {Commit failed.}
+		ui_status {Commit failed.}
 		unlock_index
 		return
 	}
@@ -316,7 +325,7 @@ A rescan will be automatically started now.
 			git update-ref -m $reflogm HEAD $cmt_id $curHEAD
 		} err]} {
 		error_popup "update-ref failed:\n\n$err"
-		set ui_status_value {Commit failed.}
+		ui_status {Commit failed.}
 		unlock_index
 		return
 	}
@@ -331,7 +340,12 @@ A rescan will be automatically started now.
 
 	# -- Let rerere do its thing.
 	#
-	if {[file isdirectory [gitdir rr-cache]]} {
+	if {[get_config rerere.enabled] eq {}} {
+		set rerere [file isdirectory [gitdir rr-cache]]
+	} else {
+		set rerere [is_config_true rerere.enabled]
+	}
+	if {$rerere} {
 		catch {git rerere}
 	}
 
@@ -356,14 +370,6 @@ A rescan will be automatically started now.
 
 	if {[is_enabled singlecommit]} do_quit
 
-	# -- Make sure our current branch exists.
-	#
-	if {$commit_type eq {initial}} {
-		lappend all_heads $current_branch
-		set all_heads [lsort -unique $all_heads]
-		populate_branch_menu
-	}
-
 	# -- Update in memory status
 	#
 	set selected_commit_type new
@@ -405,6 +411,5 @@ A rescan will be automatically started now.
 	display_all_files
 	unlock_index
 	reshow_diff
-	set ui_status_value \
-		"Created commit [string range $cmt_id 0 7]: $subject"
+	ui_status "Created commit [string range $cmt_id 0 7]: $subject"
 }
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/console.tcl b/git-gui/lib/console.tcl
index ce25d92cac..6f718fbac3 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/console.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/console.tcl
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ field t_short
 field t_long
 field w
 field console_cr
+field is_toplevel    1; # are we our own window?
 
 constructor new {short_title long_title} {
 	set t_short $short_title
@@ -15,10 +16,25 @@ constructor new {short_title long_title} {
 	return $this
 }
 
+constructor embed {path title} {
+	set t_short {}
+	set t_long $title
+	set w $path
+	set is_toplevel 0
+	_init $this
+	return $this
+}
+
 method _init {} {
 	global M1B
-	make_toplevel top w -autodelete 0
-	wm title $top "[appname] ([reponame]): $t_short"
+
+	if {$is_toplevel} {
+		make_toplevel top w -autodelete 0
+		wm title $top "[appname] ([reponame]): $t_short"
+	} else {
+		frame $w
+	}
+
 	set console_cr 1.0
 
 	frame $w.m
@@ -31,16 +47,20 @@ method _init {} {
 		-background white -borderwidth 1 \
 		-relief sunken \
 		-width 80 -height 10 \
+		-wrap none \
 		-font font_diff \
 		-state disabled \
+		-xscrollcommand [list $w.m.sbx set] \
 		-yscrollcommand [list $w.m.sby set]
 	label $w.m.s -text {Working... please wait...} \
 		-anchor w \
 		-justify left \
 		-font font_uibold
+	scrollbar $w.m.sbx -command [list $w.m.t xview] -orient h
 	scrollbar $w.m.sby -command [list $w.m.t yview]
 	pack $w.m.l1 -side top -fill x
 	pack $w.m.s -side bottom -fill x
+	pack $w.m.sbx -side bottom -fill x
 	pack $w.m.sby -side right -fill y
 	pack $w.m.t -side left -fill both -expand 1
 	pack $w.m -side top -fill both -expand 1 -padx 5 -pady 10
@@ -57,31 +77,26 @@ method _init {} {
 			$w.m.t tag remove sel 0.0 end
 		"
 
-	button $w.ok -text {Close} \
-		-state disabled \
-		-command "destroy $w"
-	pack $w.ok -side bottom -anchor e -pady 10 -padx 10
+	if {$is_toplevel} {
+		button $w.ok -text {Close} \
+			-state disabled \
+			-command [list destroy $w]
+		pack $w.ok -side bottom -anchor e -pady 10 -padx 10
+		bind $w <Visibility> [list focus $w]
+	}
 
 	bind_button3 $w.m.t "tk_popup $w.ctxm %X %Y"
 	bind $w.m.t <$M1B-Key-a> "$w.m.t tag add sel 0.0 end;break"
 	bind $w.m.t <$M1B-Key-A> "$w.m.t tag add sel 0.0 end;break"
-	bind $w <Visibility> "focus $w"
 }
 
 method exec {cmd {after {}}} {
-	# -- Cygwin's Tcl tosses the enviroment when we exec our child.
-	#    But most users need that so we have to relogin. :-(
-	#
-	if {[is_Cygwin]} {
-		set cmd [list sh --login -c "cd \"[pwd]\" && [join $cmd { }]"]
+	if {[lindex $cmd 0] eq {git}} {
+		set fd_f [eval git_read --stderr [lrange $cmd 1 end]]
+	} else {
+		lappend cmd 2>@1
+		set fd_f [_open_stdout_stderr $cmd]
 	}
-
-	# -- Tcl won't let us redirect both stdout and stderr to
-	#    the same pipe.  So pass it through cat...
-	#
-	set cmd [concat | $cmd |& cat]
-
-	set fd_f [open $cmd r]
 	fconfigure $fd_f -blocking 0 -translation binary
 	fileevent $fd_f readable [cb _read $fd_f $after]
 }
@@ -155,20 +170,32 @@ method chain {cmdlist {ok 1}} {
 	}
 }
 
+method insert {txt} {
+	if {![winfo exists $w.m.t]} {_init $this}
+	$w.m.t conf -state normal
+	$w.m.t insert end "$txt\n"
+	set console_cr [$w.m.t index {end -1c}]
+	$w.m.t conf -state disabled
+}
+
 method done {ok} {
 	if {$ok} {
 		if {[winfo exists $w.m.s]} {
 			$w.m.s conf -background green -text {Success}
-			$w.ok conf -state normal
-			focus $w.ok
+			if {$is_toplevel} {
+				$w.ok conf -state normal
+				focus $w.ok
+			}
 		}
 	} else {
 		if {![winfo exists $w.m.s]} {
 			_init $this
 		}
 		$w.m.s conf -background red -text {Error: Command Failed}
-		$w.ok conf -state normal
-		focus $w.ok
+		if {$is_toplevel} {
+			$w.ok conf -state normal
+			focus $w.ok
+		}
 	}
 	delete_this
 }
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/database.tcl b/git-gui/lib/database.tcl
index 43e4a289bb..87c815d7ac 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/database.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/database.tcl
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Shawn Pearce
 
 proc do_stats {} {
-	set fd [open "| git count-objects -v" r]
+	set fd [git_read count-objects -v]
 	while {[gets $fd line] > 0} {
 		if {[regexp {^([^:]+): (\d+)$} $line _ name value]} {
 			set stats($name) $value
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/diff.tcl b/git-gui/lib/diff.tcl
index 29436b50cb..9cb9d0604a 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/diff.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/diff.tcl
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ proc clear_diff {} {
 }
 
 proc reshow_diff {} {
-	global ui_status_value file_states file_lists
+	global file_states file_lists
 	global current_diff_path current_diff_side
 
 	set p $current_diff_path
@@ -49,13 +49,13 @@ A rescan will be automatically started to find other files which may have the sa
 
 	clear_diff
 	display_file $path __
-	rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}} 0
+	rescan ui_ready 0
 }
 
 proc show_diff {path w {lno {}}} {
 	global file_states file_lists
 	global is_3way_diff diff_active repo_config
-	global ui_diff ui_status_value ui_index ui_workdir
+	global ui_diff ui_index ui_workdir
 	global current_diff_path current_diff_side current_diff_header
 
 	if {$diff_active || ![lock_index read]} return
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ proc show_diff {path w {lno {}}} {
 	set current_diff_path $path
 	set current_diff_side $w
 	set current_diff_header {}
-	set ui_status_value "Loading diff of [escape_path $path]..."
+	ui_status "Loading diff of [escape_path $path]..."
 
 	# - Git won't give us the diff, there's nothing to compare to!
 	#
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ proc show_diff {path w {lno {}}} {
 			} err ]} {
 			set diff_active 0
 			unlock_index
-			set ui_status_value "Unable to display [escape_path $path]"
+			ui_status "Unable to display [escape_path $path]"
 			error_popup "Error loading file:\n\n$err"
 			return
 		}
@@ -127,11 +127,11 @@ proc show_diff {path w {lno {}}} {
 		$ui_diff conf -state disabled
 		set diff_active 0
 		unlock_index
-		set ui_status_value {Ready.}
+		ui_ready
 		return
 	}
 
-	set cmd [list | git]
+	set cmd [list]
 	if {$w eq $ui_index} {
 		lappend cmd diff-index
 		lappend cmd --cached
@@ -154,10 +154,10 @@ proc show_diff {path w {lno {}}} {
 	lappend cmd --
 	lappend cmd $path
 
-	if {[catch {set fd [open $cmd r]} err]} {
+	if {[catch {set fd [eval git_read --nice $cmd]} err]} {
 		set diff_active 0
 		unlock_index
-		set ui_status_value "Unable to display [escape_path $path]"
+		ui_status "Unable to display [escape_path $path]"
 		error_popup "Error loading diff:\n\n$err"
 		return
 	}
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ proc show_diff {path w {lno {}}} {
 }
 
 proc read_diff {fd} {
-	global ui_diff ui_status_value diff_active
+	global ui_diff diff_active
 	global is_3way_diff current_diff_header
 
 	$ui_diff conf -state normal
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ proc read_diff {fd} {
 		close $fd
 		set diff_active 0
 		unlock_index
-		set ui_status_value {Ready.}
+		ui_ready
 
 		if {[$ui_diff index end] eq {2.0}} {
 			handle_empty_diff
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ proc apply_hunk {x y} {
 	if {$current_diff_path eq {} || $current_diff_header eq {}} return
 	if {![lock_index apply_hunk]} return
 
-	set apply_cmd {git apply --cached --whitespace=nowarn}
+	set apply_cmd {apply --cached --whitespace=nowarn}
 	set mi [lindex $file_states($current_diff_path) 0]
 	if {$current_diff_side eq $ui_index} {
 		set mode unstage
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ proc apply_hunk {x y} {
 	}
 
 	if {[catch {
-		set p [open "| $apply_cmd" w]
+		set p [eval git_write $apply_cmd]
 		fconfigure $p -translation binary -encoding binary
 		puts -nonewline $p $current_diff_header
 		puts -nonewline $p [$ui_diff get $s_lno $e_lno]
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/index.tcl b/git-gui/lib/index.tcl
index 42742850ee..3ea72e1ec9 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/index.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/index.tcl
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Shawn Pearce
 
 proc update_indexinfo {msg pathList after} {
-	global update_index_cp ui_status_value
+	global update_index_cp
 
 	if {![lock_index update]} return
 
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ proc update_indexinfo {msg pathList after} {
 	set batch [expr {int($totalCnt * .01) + 1}]
 	if {$batch > 25} {set batch 25}
 
-	set ui_status_value [format \
+	ui_status [format \
 		"$msg... %i/%i files (%.2f%%)" \
 		$update_index_cp \
 		$totalCnt \
 		0.0]
-	set fd [open "| git update-index -z --index-info" w]
+	set fd [git_write update-index -z --index-info]
 	fconfigure $fd \
 		-blocking 0 \
 		-buffering full \
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ proc update_indexinfo {msg pathList after} {
 }
 
 proc write_update_indexinfo {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
-	global update_index_cp ui_status_value
+	global update_index_cp
 	global file_states current_diff_path
 
 	if {$update_index_cp >= $totalCnt} {
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ proc write_update_indexinfo {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
 		display_file $path $new
 	}
 
-	set ui_status_value [format \
+	ui_status [format \
 		"$msg... %i/%i files (%.2f%%)" \
 		$update_index_cp \
 		$totalCnt \
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ proc write_update_indexinfo {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
 }
 
 proc update_index {msg pathList after} {
-	global update_index_cp ui_status_value
+	global update_index_cp
 
 	if {![lock_index update]} return
 
@@ -85,12 +85,12 @@ proc update_index {msg pathList after} {
 	set batch [expr {int($totalCnt * .01) + 1}]
 	if {$batch > 25} {set batch 25}
 
-	set ui_status_value [format \
+	ui_status [format \
 		"$msg... %i/%i files (%.2f%%)" \
 		$update_index_cp \
 		$totalCnt \
 		0.0]
-	set fd [open "| git update-index --add --remove -z --stdin" w]
+	set fd [git_write update-index --add --remove -z --stdin]
 	fconfigure $fd \
 		-blocking 0 \
 		-buffering full \
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ proc update_index {msg pathList after} {
 }
 
 proc write_update_index {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
-	global update_index_cp ui_status_value
+	global update_index_cp
 	global file_states current_diff_path
 
 	if {$update_index_cp >= $totalCnt} {
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ proc write_update_index {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
 		display_file $path $new
 	}
 
-	set ui_status_value [format \
+	ui_status [format \
 		"$msg... %i/%i files (%.2f%%)" \
 		$update_index_cp \
 		$totalCnt \
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ proc write_update_index {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
 }
 
 proc checkout_index {msg pathList after} {
-	global update_index_cp ui_status_value
+	global update_index_cp
 
 	if {![lock_index update]} return
 
@@ -162,18 +162,18 @@ proc checkout_index {msg pathList after} {
 	set batch [expr {int($totalCnt * .01) + 1}]
 	if {$batch > 25} {set batch 25}
 
-	set ui_status_value [format \
+	ui_status [format \
 		"$msg... %i/%i files (%.2f%%)" \
 		$update_index_cp \
 		$totalCnt \
 		0.0]
-	set cmd [list git checkout-index]
-	lappend cmd --index
-	lappend cmd --quiet
-	lappend cmd --force
-	lappend cmd -z
-	lappend cmd --stdin
-	set fd [open "| $cmd " w]
+	set fd [git_write checkout-index \
+		--index \
+		--quiet \
+		--force \
+		-z \
+		--stdin \
+		]
 	fconfigure $fd \
 		-blocking 0 \
 		-buffering full \
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ proc checkout_index {msg pathList after} {
 }
 
 proc write_checkout_index {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
-	global update_index_cp ui_status_value
+	global update_index_cp
 	global file_states current_diff_path
 
 	if {$update_index_cp >= $totalCnt} {
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ proc write_checkout_index {fd pathList totalCnt batch msg after} {
 		}
 	}
 
-	set ui_status_value [format \
+	ui_status [format \
 		"$msg... %i/%i files (%.2f%%)" \
 		$update_index_cp \
 		$totalCnt \
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ proc unstage_helper {txt paths} {
 		update_indexinfo \
 			$txt \
 			$pathList \
-			[concat $after {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}]
+			[concat $after [list ui_ready]]
 	}
 }
 
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ proc add_helper {txt paths} {
 		update_index \
 			$txt \
 			$pathList \
-			[concat $after {set ui_status_value {Ready to commit.}}]
+			[concat $after {ui_status {Ready to commit.}}]
 	}
 }
 
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ Any unadded changes will be permanently lost by the revert." \
 		checkout_index \
 			$txt \
 			$pathList \
-			[concat $after {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}]
+			[concat $after [list ui_ready]]
 	} else {
 		unlock_index
 	}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/merge.tcl b/git-gui/lib/merge.tcl
index ae0389df5b..288d7ac889 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/merge.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/merge.tcl
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Another Git program has modified this repository since the last scan.  A rescan
 The rescan will be automatically started now.
 }
 		unlock_index
-		rescan {set ui_status_value {Ready.}}
+		rescan ui_ready
 		return 0
 	}
 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ proc _visualize {w list} {
 }
 
 proc _start {w list} {
-	global HEAD ui_status_value current_branch
+	global HEAD current_branch
 
 	set cmd [list git merge]
 	set names [_refs $w $list]
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ Please select fewer branches.  To merge more than 15 branches, merge the branche
 	}
 
 	set msg "Merging $current_branch, [join $names {, }]"
-	set ui_status_value "$msg..."
+	ui_status "$msg..."
 	set cons [console::new "Merge" $msg]
 	console::exec $cons $cmd \
 		[namespace code [list _finish $revcnt $cons]]
@@ -146,18 +146,18 @@ The working directory will now be reset.
 
 You can attempt this merge again by merging only one branch at a time." $w
 
-			set fd [open "| git read-tree --reset -u HEAD" r]
+			set fd [git_read read-tree --reset -u HEAD]
 			fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation binary
 			fileevent $fd readable \
 				[namespace code [list _reset_wait $fd]]
-			set ui_status_value {Aborting... please wait...}
+			ui_status {Aborting... please wait...}
 			return
 		}
 
 		set msg {Merge failed.  Conflict resolution is required.}
 	}
 	unlock_index
-	rescan [list set ui_status_value $msg]
+	rescan [list ui_status $msg]
 }
 
 proc dialog {} {
@@ -167,11 +167,13 @@ proc dialog {} {
 	if {![_can_merge]} return
 
 	set fmt {list %(objectname) %(*objectname) %(refname) %(subject)}
-	set cmd [list git for-each-ref --tcl --format=$fmt]
-	lappend cmd refs/heads
-	lappend cmd refs/remotes
-	lappend cmd refs/tags
-	set fr_fd [open "| $cmd" r]
+	set fr_fd [git_read for-each-ref \
+		--tcl \
+		--format=$fmt \
+		refs/heads \
+		refs/remotes \
+		refs/tags \
+		]
 	fconfigure $fr_fd -translation binary
 	while {[gets $fr_fd line] > 0} {
 		set line [eval $line]
@@ -186,7 +188,7 @@ proc dialog {} {
 	close $fr_fd
 
 	set to_show {}
-	set fr_fd [open "| git rev-list --all --not HEAD"]
+	set fr_fd [git_read rev-list --all --not HEAD]
 	while {[gets $fr_fd line] > 0} {
 		if {[catch {set ref $sha1($line)}]} continue
 		foreach n $ref {
@@ -213,7 +215,9 @@ proc dialog {} {
 	pack $w.buttons.visualize -side left
 	button $w.buttons.create -text Merge -command $_start
 	pack $w.buttons.create -side right
-	button $w.buttons.cancel -text {Cancel} -command [list destroy $w]
+	button $w.buttons.cancel \
+		-text {Cancel} \
+		-command "unlock_index;destroy $w"
 	pack $w.buttons.cancel -side right -padx 5
 	pack $w.buttons -side bottom -fill x -pady 10 -padx 10
 
@@ -280,10 +284,10 @@ You must finish amending this commit.
 Aborting the current $op will cause *ALL* uncommitted changes to be lost.
 
 Continue with aborting the current $op?"] eq {yes}} {
-		set fd [open "| git read-tree --reset -u HEAD" r]
+		set fd [git_read read-tree --reset -u HEAD]
 		fconfigure $fd -blocking 0 -translation binary
 		fileevent $fd readable [namespace code [list _reset_wait $fd]]
-		set ui_status_value {Aborting... please wait...}
+		ui_status {Aborting... please wait...}
 	} else {
 		unlock_index
 	}
@@ -306,7 +310,7 @@ proc _reset_wait {fd} {
 		catch {file delete [gitdir MERGE_MSG]}
 		catch {file delete [gitdir GITGUI_MSG]}
 
-		rescan {set ui_status_value {Abort completed.  Ready.}}
+		rescan {ui_status {Abort completed.  Ready.}}
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/option.tcl b/git-gui/lib/option.tcl
index ae19a8f9cf..aa9f783afd 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/option.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/option.tcl
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ $copyright" \
 	}
 
 	set d {}
+	append d "git wrapper: $::_git\n"
 	append d "git exec dir: [gitexec]\n"
 	append d "git-gui lib: $oguilib"
 
@@ -191,6 +192,7 @@ proc do_options {} {
 
 		{b gui.trustmtime  {Trust File Modification Timestamps}}
 		{b gui.pruneduringfetch {Prune Tracking Branches During Fetch}}
+		{b gui.matchtrackingbranch {Match Tracking Branches}}
 		{i-0..99 gui.diffcontext {Number of Diff Context Lines}}
 		{t gui.newbranchtemplate {New Branch Name Template}}
 		} {
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/remote.tcl b/git-gui/lib/remote.tcl
index b54824ab72..e235ca8876 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/remote.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/remote.tcl
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 # git-gui remote management
 # Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Shawn Pearce
 
+set some_heads_tracking 0;  # assume not
+
 proc is_tracking_branch {name} {
 	global tracking_branches
-
-	if {![catch {set info $tracking_branches($name)}]} {
-		return 1
-	}
-	foreach t [array names tracking_branches] {
-		if {[string match {*/\*} $t] && [string match $t $name]} {
+	foreach spec $tracking_branches {
+		set t [lindex $spec 0]
+		if {$t eq $name || [string match $t $name]} {
 			return 1
 		}
 	}
@@ -18,36 +17,53 @@ proc is_tracking_branch {name} {
 proc all_tracking_branches {} {
 	global tracking_branches
 
-	set all_trackings {}
-	set cmd {}
-	foreach name [array names tracking_branches] {
-		if {[regsub {/\*$} $name {} name]} {
-			lappend cmd $name
+	set all [list]
+	set pat [list]
+	set cmd [list]
+
+	foreach spec $tracking_branches {
+		set dst [lindex $spec 0]
+		if {[string range $dst end-1 end] eq {/*}} {
+			lappend pat $spec
+			lappend cmd [string range $dst 0 end-2]
 		} else {
-			regsub ^refs/(heads|remotes)/ $name {} name
-			lappend all_trackings $name
+			lappend all $spec
 		}
 	}
 
-	if {$cmd ne {}} {
-		set fd [open "| git for-each-ref --format=%(refname) $cmd" r]
-		while {[gets $fd name] > 0} {
-			regsub ^refs/(heads|remotes)/ $name {} name
-			lappend all_trackings $name
+	if {$pat ne {}} {
+		set fd [eval git_read for-each-ref --format=%(refname) $cmd]
+		while {[gets $fd n] > 0} {
+			foreach spec $pat {
+				set dst [string range [lindex $spec 0] 0 end-2]
+				set len [string length $dst]
+				if {[string equal -length $len $dst $n]} {
+					set src [string range [lindex $spec 2] 0 end-2]
+					set spec [list \
+						$n \
+						[lindex $spec 1] \
+						$src[string range $n $len end] \
+						]
+					lappend all $spec
+				}
+			}
 		}
 		close $fd
 	}
 
-	return [lsort -unique $all_trackings]
+	return [lsort -index 0 -unique $all]
 }
 
 proc load_all_remotes {} {
 	global repo_config
-	global all_remotes tracking_branches
+	global all_remotes tracking_branches some_heads_tracking
 
+	set some_heads_tracking 0
 	set all_remotes [list]
-	array unset tracking_branches
+	set trck [list]
 
+	set rh_str refs/heads/
+	set rh_len [string length $rh_str]
 	set rm_dir [gitdir remotes]
 	if {[file isdirectory $rm_dir]} {
 		set all_remotes [glob \
@@ -62,10 +78,19 @@ proc load_all_remotes {} {
 				while {[gets $fd line] >= 0} {
 					if {![regexp {^Pull:[ 	]*([^:]+):(.+)$} \
 						$line line src dst]} continue
-					if {![regexp ^refs/ $dst]} {
-						set dst "refs/heads/$dst"
+					if {[string index $src 0] eq {+}} {
+						set src [string range $src 1 end]
 					}
-					set tracking_branches($dst) [list $name $src]
+					if {![string equal -length 5 refs/ $src]} {
+						set src $rh_str$src
+					}
+					if {![string equal -length 5 refs/ $dst]} {
+						set dst $rh_str$dst
+					}
+					if {[string equal -length $rh_len $rh_str $dst]} {
+						set some_heads_tracking 1
+					}
+					lappend trck [list $dst $name $src]
 				}
 				close $fd
 			}
@@ -81,13 +106,23 @@ proc load_all_remotes {} {
 		}
 		foreach line $fl {
 			if {![regexp {^([^:]+):(.+)$} $line line src dst]} continue
-			if {![regexp ^refs/ $dst]} {
-				set dst "refs/heads/$dst"
+			if {[string index $src 0] eq {+}} {
+				set src [string range $src 1 end]
+			}
+			if {![string equal -length 5 refs/ $src]} {
+				set src $rh_str$src
+			}
+			if {![string equal -length 5 refs/ $dst]} {
+				set dst $rh_str$dst
+			}
+			if {[string equal -length $rh_len $rh_str $dst]} {
+				set some_heads_tracking 1
 			}
-			set tracking_branches($dst) [list $name $src]
+			lappend trck [list $dst $name $src]
 		}
 	}
 
+	set tracking_branches [lsort -index 0 -unique $trck]
 	set all_remotes [lsort -unique $all_remotes]
 }
 
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/remote_branch_delete.tcl b/git-gui/lib/remote_branch_delete.tcl
index b83e1b6315..c88a360db5 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/remote_branch_delete.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/remote_branch_delete.tcl
@@ -98,10 +98,10 @@ constructor dialog {} {
 	button $w.heads.footer.rescan \
 		-text {Rescan} \
 		-command [cb _rescan]
-	pack $w.heads.footer.status -side left -fill x -expand 1
+	pack $w.heads.footer.status -side left -fill x
 	pack $w.heads.footer.rescan -side right
 
-	pack $w.heads.footer -side bottom -fill x -expand 1
+	pack $w.heads.footer -side bottom -fill x
 	pack $w.heads.sby -side right -fill y
 	pack $w.heads.l -side left -fill both -expand 1
 	pack $w.heads -fill both -expand 1 -pady 5 -padx 5
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ method _load {cache uri} {
 		set full_list [list]
 		set head_cache($cache) [list]
 		set full_cache($cache) [list]
-		set active_ls [open "| [list git ls-remote $uri]" r]
+		set active_ls [git_read ls-remote $uri]
 		fconfigure $active_ls \
 			-blocking 0 \
 			-translation lf \
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/shortcut.tcl b/git-gui/lib/shortcut.tcl
index ebf72e4452..c36be2f3cd 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/shortcut.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/shortcut.tcl
@@ -9,11 +9,15 @@ proc do_windows_shortcut {} {
 		-title "[appname] ([reponame]): Create Desktop Icon" \
 		-initialfile "Git [reponame].bat"]
 	if {$fn != {}} {
+		if {[file extension $fn] ne {.bat}} {
+			set fn ${fn}.bat
+		}
 		if {[catch {
+				set ge [file normalize [file dirname $::_git]]
 				set fd [open $fn w]
 				puts $fd "@ECHO Entering [reponame]"
 				puts $fd "@ECHO Starting git-gui... please wait..."
-				puts $fd "@SET PATH=[file normalize [gitexec]];%PATH%"
+				puts $fd "@SET PATH=$ge;%PATH%"
 				puts $fd "@SET GIT_DIR=[file normalize [gitdir]]"
 				puts -nonewline $fd "@\"[info nameofexecutable]\""
 				puts $fd " \"[file normalize $argv0]\""
@@ -42,12 +46,15 @@ proc do_cygwin_shortcut {} {
 		-initialdir $desktop \
 		-initialfile "Git [reponame].bat"]
 	if {$fn != {}} {
+		if {[file extension $fn] ne {.bat}} {
+			set fn ${fn}.bat
+		}
 		if {[catch {
 				set fd [open $fn w]
 				set sh [exec cygpath \
 					--windows \
 					--absolute \
-					/bin/sh]
+					/bin/sh.exe]
 				set me [exec cygpath \
 					--unix \
 					--absolute \
@@ -56,18 +63,12 @@ proc do_cygwin_shortcut {} {
 					--unix \
 					--absolute \
 					[gitdir]]
-				set gw [exec cygpath \
-					--windows \
-					--absolute \
-					[file dirname [gitdir]]]
-				regsub -all ' $me "'\\''" me
-				regsub -all ' $gd "'\\''" gd
-				puts $fd "@ECHO Entering $gw"
+				puts $fd "@ECHO Entering [reponame]"
 				puts $fd "@ECHO Starting git-gui... please wait..."
 				puts -nonewline $fd "@\"$sh\" --login -c \""
-				puts -nonewline $fd "GIT_DIR='$gd'"
-				puts -nonewline $fd " '$me'"
-				puts $fd "&\""
+				puts -nonewline $fd "GIT_DIR=[sq $gd]"
+				puts -nonewline $fd " [sq $me]"
+				puts $fd " &\""
 				close $fd
 			} err]} {
 			error_popup "Cannot write script:\n\n$err"
@@ -84,6 +85,9 @@ proc do_macosx_app {} {
 		-initialdir [file join $env(HOME) Desktop] \
 		-initialfile "Git [reponame].app"]
 	if {$fn != {}} {
+		if {[file extension $fn] ne {.app}} {
+			set fn ${fn}.app
+		}
 		if {[catch {
 				set Contents [file join $fn Contents]
 				set MacOS [file join $Contents MacOS]
@@ -117,20 +121,27 @@ proc do_macosx_app {} {
 				close $fd
 
 				set fd [open $exe w]
-				set gd [file normalize [gitdir]]
-				set ep [file normalize [gitexec]]
-				regsub -all ' $gd "'\\''" gd
-				regsub -all ' $ep "'\\''" ep
 				puts $fd "#!/bin/sh"
-				foreach name [array names env] {
-					if {[string match GIT_* $name]} {
-						regsub -all ' $env($name) "'\\''" v
-						puts $fd "export $name='$v'"
+				foreach name [lsort [array names env]] {
+					set value $env($name)
+					switch -- $name {
+					GIT_DIR { set value [file normalize [gitdir]] }
+					}
+
+					switch -glob -- $name {
+					SSH_* -
+					GIT_* {
+						puts $fd "if test \"z\$$name\" = z; then"
+						puts $fd "  export $name=[sq $value]"
+						puts $fd "fi &&"
+					}
 					}
 				}
-				puts $fd "export PATH='$ep':\$PATH"
-				puts $fd "export GIT_DIR='$gd'"
-				puts $fd "exec [file normalize $argv0]"
+				puts $fd "export PATH=[sq [file dirname $::_git]]:\$PATH &&"
+				puts $fd "cd [sq [file normalize [pwd]]] &&"
+				puts $fd "exec \\"
+				puts $fd " [sq [info nameofexecutable]] \\"
+				puts $fd " [sq [file normalize $argv0]]"
 				close $fd
 
 				file attributes $exe -permissions u+x,g+x,o+x
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/status_bar.tcl b/git-gui/lib/status_bar.tcl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..72a8fe1fd3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/git-gui/lib/status_bar.tcl
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+# git-gui status bar mega-widget
+# Copyright (C) 2007 Shawn Pearce
+
+class status_bar {
+
+field w         ; # our own window path
+field w_l       ; # text widget we draw messages into
+field w_c       ; # canvas we draw a progress bar into
+field status  {}; # single line of text we show
+field prefix  {}; # text we format into status
+field units   {}; # unit of progress
+field meter   {}; # current core git progress meter (if active)
+
+constructor new {path} {
+	set w $path
+	set w_l $w.l
+	set w_c $w.c
+
+	frame $w \
+		-borderwidth 1 \
+		-relief sunken
+	label $w_l \
+		-textvariable @status \
+		-anchor w \
+		-justify left
+	pack $w_l -side left
+
+	bind $w <Destroy> [cb _delete %W]
+	return $this
+}
+
+method start {msg uds} {
+	if {[winfo exists $w_c]} {
+		$w_c coords bar 0 0 0 20
+	} else {
+		canvas $w_c \
+			-width 100 \
+			-height [expr {int([winfo reqheight $w_l] * 0.6)}] \
+			-borderwidth 1 \
+			-relief groove \
+			-highlightt 0
+		$w_c create rectangle 0 0 0 20 -tags bar -fill navy
+		pack $w_c -side right
+	}
+
+	set status $msg
+	set prefix $msg
+	set units  $uds
+	set meter  {}
+}
+
+method update {have total} {
+	set pdone 0
+	if {$total > 0} {
+		set pdone [expr {100 * $have / $total}]
+	}
+
+	set status [format "%s ... %i of %i %s (%2i%%)" \
+		$prefix $have $total $units $pdone]
+	$w_c coords bar 0 0 $pdone 20
+}
+
+method update_meter {buf} {
+	append meter $buf
+	set r [string last "\r" $meter]
+	if {$r == -1} {
+		return
+	}
+
+	set prior [string range $meter 0 $r]
+	set meter [string range $meter [expr {$r + 1}] end]
+	if {[regexp "\\((\\d+)/(\\d+)\\)\\s+done\r\$" $prior _j a b]} {
+		update $this $a $b
+	}
+}
+
+method stop {{msg {}}} {
+	destroy $w_c
+	if {$msg ne {}} {
+		set status $msg
+	}
+}
+
+method show {msg {test {}}} {
+	if {$test eq {} || $status eq $test} {
+		set status $msg
+	}
+}
+
+method _delete {current} {
+	if {$current eq $w} {
+		delete_this
+	}
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/git-gui/lib/transport.tcl b/git-gui/lib/transport.tcl
index e8ebc6eda0..3a22bd40d4 100644
--- a/git-gui/lib/transport.tcl
+++ b/git-gui/lib/transport.tcl
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ trace add variable push_remote write \
 	[list radio_selector push_urltype remote]
 
 proc do_push_anywhere {} {
-	global all_heads all_remotes current_branch
+	global all_remotes current_branch
 	global push_urltype push_remote push_url push_thin push_tags
 
 	set w .push_setup
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ proc do_push_anywhere {} {
 		-width 70 \
 		-selectmode extended \
 		-yscrollcommand [list $w.source.sby set]
-	foreach h $all_heads {
+	foreach h [load_all_heads] {
 		$w.source.l insert end $h
 		if {$h eq $current_branch} {
 			$w.source.l select set end