[PATCH] checkpatch: error on .orig and .rej files in patches

From: Matteo Croce

Date: Thu Mar 12 2026 - 21:43:07 EST


From: Matteo Croce <teknoraver@xxxxxxxx>

Since commit 76be4f5a7845 ("Remove *.orig pattern from .gitignore"),
it's easier to accidentally slip a .orig file into a patch.

Add a RESIDUAL_FILE error when a patch modifies .orig or .rej files,
which are typically leftovers from a failed patch application. Skip all
further checks on the content of such files to avoid spurious warnings.

Signed-off-by: Matteo Croce <teknoraver@xxxxxxxx>
---
scripts/checkpatch.pl | 13 +++++++++++++
1 file changed, 13 insertions(+)

diff --git a/scripts/checkpatch.pl b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
index c0250244cf7a..d110afef1b57 100755
--- a/scripts/checkpatch.pl
+++ b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
@@ -2701,6 +2701,7 @@ sub process {
my $comment_edge = 0;
my $first_line = 0;
my $p1_prefix = '';
+ my $skip_residual_file = 0;

my $prev_values = 'E';

@@ -2881,6 +2882,7 @@ sub process {
$realfile = $1;
$realfile =~ s@^([^/]*)/@@ if (!$file);
$in_commit_log = 0;
+ $skip_residual_file = 0;
$found_file = 1;
} elsif ($line =~ /^\+\+\+\s+(\S+)/) {
$realfile = $1;
@@ -2913,6 +2915,15 @@ sub process {
}

if ($found_file) {
+ if ($realfile =~ /\.(orig|rej)$/) {
+ if (!$skip_residual_file) {
+ ERROR("RESIDUAL_FILE",
+ "patch modifies a .$1 file: '$realfile', likely leftover from a failed patch application\n");
+ }
+ $skip_residual_file = 1;
+ next;
+ }
+ $skip_residual_file = 0;
if (is_maintained_obsolete($realfile)) {
WARN("OBSOLETE",
"$realfile is marked as 'obsolete' in the MAINTAINERS hierarchy. No unnecessary modifications please.\n");
@@ -2939,6 +2950,8 @@ sub process {
next;
}

+ next if ($skip_residual_file);
+
$here .= "FILE: $realfile:$realline:" if ($realcnt != 0);

my $hereline = "$here\n$rawline\n";
--
2.50.1