Git diff it always outputting into less even if it's small or no output -

when using git bash (git windows) if command (like git diff) had short output (i'm guessing smaller terminal's height) print output, in babun (cygwin) every git command seems viewed in less if it's 1 line or empty. "every" perhaps bold, git status doesn't. seems there pre-bundled setting in 1 of these other doesn't have , don't know is.

how can make git behave when there short output doesn't use less , instead outputs it.

edit: in git bash pager git 'less -x4' (for 4 width tabs), no -f. also, environment variables less, pager, , git_pager empty. have no idea why git bash behaving this, luckily i've gotten on how make babun (cygwin) start.

hind-sight update: (this wrong, see 2017-01-12 note.) think git windows and/or default terminal doesn't wipe screen when closing less -- saw behavior somewhere else unrelated (closing less , screen not being wiped) think that's happening. why cygwin , mintty terminal wipe , mingw (or msys2? whatever git windows uses) on windows terminal not beyond realm of knowledge.

hind-sight update post googling: turns out above revalation enough info google solution! post now.

2017-01-12: looks wasn't wiping precisely because less unset. according man git config...

core.pager     [...]      when less environment variable unset, git sets frx     (if less environment variable set, git not change @     all). if want selectively override git’s default setting     less, can set core.pager e.g.  less -s.     passed shell git, translate final     command less=frx less -s. [...] 

schwern's answer half correct. asking still correct answer, using incorrect words. wanted wasn't this:

   -f or --quit-if-one-screen           causes less automatically exit if entire file can dis‐           played on first screen. 

that makes nothing appear short output! if core.pager less -f , log less 1 screen, see nothing.

what want less -fx or maybe less -x.

   -x or --no-init           disables sending termcap initialization , deinitialization           strings    terminal.   desirable if           deinitialization string unnecessary,  clear‐           ing screen. 

this question on @ superuser led me this.

using -fx if log less 1 screen outputs (as if cat).

using -x still open less if output less 1 screen leave on terminal if quit, if don't quit right away can use less normal. once try search though brings "real" less , still not wipe when done, annoying because windows full of ~'s.

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summary

• if don't care happens short output, use less
• if want short output put on screen if cat use less -xf
• if want perhaps search short output (even though it's less 1 screen) use less -x, have still press q.