diff --git a/pkg/commands/models/branch.go b/pkg/commands/models/branch.go
index dae934fdf..b41e157f3 100644
--- a/pkg/commands/models/branch.go
+++ b/pkg/commands/models/branch.go
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ func (b *Branch) RefName() string {
 	return b.Name
 }
 
+func (b *Branch) ParentRefName() string {
+	return b.RefName() + "^"
+}
+
 func (b *Branch) ID() string {
 	return b.RefName()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/commands/models/remote_branch.go b/pkg/commands/models/remote_branch.go
index bee004fdb..e36592749 100644
--- a/pkg/commands/models/remote_branch.go
+++ b/pkg/commands/models/remote_branch.go
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ func (r *RemoteBranch) RefName() string {
 	return r.FullName()
 }
 
+func (r *RemoteBranch) ParentRefName() string {
+	return r.RefName() + "^"
+}
+
 func (r *RemoteBranch) ID() string {
 	return r.RefName()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/commands/models/stash_entry.go b/pkg/commands/models/stash_entry.go
index efda6bc77..d15bfd2eb 100644
--- a/pkg/commands/models/stash_entry.go
+++ b/pkg/commands/models/stash_entry.go
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ func (s *StashEntry) RefName() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("stash@{%d}", s.Index)
 }
 
+func (s *StashEntry) ParentRefName() string {
+	return s.RefName() + "^"
+}
+
 func (s *StashEntry) ID() string {
 	return s.RefName()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/commands/models/tag.go b/pkg/commands/models/tag.go
index 2fb024e66..60b53e659 100644
--- a/pkg/commands/models/tag.go
+++ b/pkg/commands/models/tag.go
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ func (t *Tag) RefName() string {
 	return t.Name
 }
 
+func (t *Tag) ParentRefName() string {
+	return t.RefName() + "^"
+}
+
 func (t *Tag) ID() string {
 	return t.RefName()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/gui/commit_files_panel.go b/pkg/gui/commit_files_panel.go
index 7bb78b4bc..89f424779 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/commit_files_panel.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/commit_files_panel.go
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ func (gui *Gui) commitFilesRenderToMain() error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	to := gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.GetRefName()
-	from, reverse := gui.State.Modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(to)
+	ref := gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.GetRef()
+	to := ref.RefName()
+	from, reverse := gui.State.Modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(ref.ParentRefName())
 
 	cmdObj := gui.git.WorkingTree.ShowFileDiffCmdObj(from, to, reverse, node.GetPath(), false)
 	task := NewRunPtyTask(cmdObj.GetCmd())
@@ -39,8 +40,7 @@ func (gui *Gui) commitFilesRenderToMain() error {
 
 func (gui *Gui) SwitchToCommitFilesContext(opts controllers.SwitchToCommitFilesContextOpts) error {
 	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetSelectedLineIdx(0)
-	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetRefName(opts.RefName)
-	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetTitleRef(opts.RefDescription)
+	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetRef(opts.Ref)
 	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetCanRebase(opts.CanRebase)
 	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetParentContext(opts.Context)
 	gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetWindowName(opts.Context.GetWindowName())
@@ -53,8 +53,9 @@ func (gui *Gui) SwitchToCommitFilesContext(opts controllers.SwitchToCommitFilesC
 }
 
 func (gui *Gui) refreshCommitFilesContext() error {
-	to := gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.GetRefName()
-	from, reverse := gui.State.Modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(to)
+	ref := gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.GetRef()
+	to := ref.RefName()
+	from, reverse := gui.State.Modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(ref.ParentRefName())
 
 	files, err := gui.git.Loaders.CommitFiles.GetFilesInDiff(from, to, reverse)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/branches_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/branches_context.go
index 302f0c1d9..e64a83137 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/branches_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/branches_context.go
@@ -57,21 +57,6 @@ func (self *BranchesContext) GetSelectedItemId() string {
 	return item.ID()
 }
 
-func (self *BranchesContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
-}
-
-func (self *BranchesContext) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
+func (self *BranchesContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/local_commits_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/local_commits_context.go
index 0d7cc2f54..c5fcc769a 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/local_commits_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/local_commits_context.go
@@ -83,24 +83,8 @@ func (self *LocalCommitsContext) CanRebase() bool {
 	return true
 }
 
-func (self *LocalCommitsContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
-}
-
-func (self *LocalCommitsViewModel) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
+func (self *LocalCommitsContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
 
 func (self *LocalCommitsViewModel) SetLimitCommits(value bool) {
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/reflog_commits_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/reflog_commits_context.go
index 0274a921e..33c162aaf 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/reflog_commits_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/reflog_commits_context.go
@@ -61,26 +61,10 @@ func (self *ReflogCommitsContext) CanRebase() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func (self *ReflogCommitsContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
+func (self *ReflogCommitsContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
 
 func (self *ReflogCommitsContext) GetCommits() []*models.Commit {
 	return self.getModel()
 }
-
-func (self *ReflogCommitsContext) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
-}
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/remote_branches_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/remote_branches_context.go
index 52217ef11..affcedf97 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/remote_branches_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/remote_branches_context.go
@@ -60,21 +60,6 @@ func (self *RemoteBranchesContext) GetSelectedItemId() string {
 	return item.ID()
 }
 
-func (self *RemoteBranchesContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
-}
-
-func (self *RemoteBranchesContext) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
+func (self *RemoteBranchesContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/stash_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/stash_context.go
index ef443846f..53d854669 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/stash_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/stash_context.go
@@ -61,22 +61,6 @@ func (self *StashContext) CanRebase() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func (self *StashContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
-}
-
-func (self *StashContext) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
+func (self *StashContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/sub_commits_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/sub_commits_context.go
index ffc053267..d9a1e7c6b 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/sub_commits_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/sub_commits_context.go
@@ -82,16 +82,8 @@ func (self *SubCommitsContext) CanRebase() bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-// not to be confused with the refName in the view model. This is the ref name of
-// the selected commit
-func (self *SubCommitsContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
+func (self *SubCommitsContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
 
 func (self *SubCommitsContext) GetCommits() []*models.Commit {
@@ -101,13 +93,3 @@ func (self *SubCommitsContext) GetCommits() []*models.Commit {
 func (self *SubCommitsContext) Title() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf(self.c.Tr.SubCommitsDynamicTitle, utils.TruncateWithEllipsis(self.refName, 50))
 }
-
-func (self *SubCommitsContext) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
-}
diff --git a/pkg/gui/context/tags_context.go b/pkg/gui/context/tags_context.go
index d6f8d78ac..09285aa76 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/context/tags_context.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/context/tags_context.go
@@ -57,21 +57,6 @@ func (self *TagsContext) GetSelectedItemId() string {
 	return item.ID()
 }
 
-func (self *TagsContext) GetSelectedRefName() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.RefName()
-}
-
-func (self *TagsContext) GetSelectedDescription() string {
-	item := self.GetSelected()
-
-	if item == nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-
-	return item.Description()
+func (self *TagsContext) GetSelectedRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.GetSelected()
 }
diff --git a/pkg/gui/controllers/commits_files_controller.go b/pkg/gui/controllers/commits_files_controller.go
index b28578822..20e78997e 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/controllers/commits_files_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/controllers/commits_files_controller.go
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (self *CommitFilesController) onClickMain(opts gocui.ViewMouseBindingOpts)
 
 func (self *CommitFilesController) checkout(node *filetree.CommitFileNode) error {
 	self.c.LogAction(self.c.Tr.Actions.CheckoutFile)
-	if err := self.git.WorkingTree.CheckoutFile(self.context().GetRefName(), node.GetPath()); err != nil {
+	if err := self.git.WorkingTree.CheckoutFile(self.context().GetRef().RefName(), node.GetPath()); err != nil {
 		return self.c.Error(err)
 	}
 
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func (self *CommitFilesController) toggleForPatch(node *filetree.CommitFileNode)
 			// if there is any file that hasn't been fully added we'll fully add everything,
 			// otherwise we'll remove everything
 			adding := node.AnyFile(func(file *models.CommitFile) bool {
-				return self.git.Patch.PatchManager.GetFileStatus(file.Name, self.context().GetRefName()) != patch.WHOLE
+				return self.git.Patch.PatchManager.GetFileStatus(file.Name, self.context().GetRef().RefName()) != patch.WHOLE
 			})
 
 			err := node.ForEachFile(func(file *models.CommitFile) error {
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ func (self *CommitFilesController) toggleForPatch(node *filetree.CommitFileNode)
 		})
 	}
 
-	if self.git.Patch.PatchManager.Active() && self.git.Patch.PatchManager.To != self.context().GetRefName() {
+	if self.git.Patch.PatchManager.Active() && self.git.Patch.PatchManager.To != self.context().GetRef().RefName() {
 		return self.c.Confirm(types.ConfirmOpts{
 			Title:  self.c.Tr.DiscardPatch,
 			Prompt: self.c.Tr.DiscardPatchConfirm,
@@ -212,9 +212,9 @@ func (self *CommitFilesController) startPatchManager() error {
 	commitFilesContext := self.context()
 
 	canRebase := commitFilesContext.GetCanRebase()
-	to := commitFilesContext.GetRefName()
-
-	from, reverse := self.modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(to)
+	ref := commitFilesContext.GetRef()
+	to := ref.RefName()
+	from, reverse := self.modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(ref.ParentRefName())
 
 	self.git.Patch.PatchManager.Start(from, to, reverse, canRebase)
 	return nil
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ func (self *CommitFilesController) enterCommitFile(node *filetree.CommitFileNode
 		return self.c.PushContext(self.contexts.PatchBuilding, opts)
 	}
 
-	if self.git.Patch.PatchManager.Active() && self.git.Patch.PatchManager.To != self.context().GetRefName() {
+	if self.git.Patch.PatchManager.Active() && self.git.Patch.PatchManager.To != self.context().GetRef().RefName() {
 		return self.c.Confirm(types.ConfirmOpts{
 			Title:  self.c.Tr.DiscardPatch,
 			Prompt: self.c.Tr.DiscardPatchConfirm,
diff --git a/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_diff_files_controller.go b/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_diff_files_controller.go
index c41dbdd37..275a5ebb2 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_diff_files_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_diff_files_controller.go
@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@ var _ types.IController = &SwitchToDiffFilesController{}
 type CanSwitchToDiffFiles interface {
 	types.Context
 	CanRebase() bool
-	GetSelectedRefName() string
-	GetSelectedDescription() string
+	GetSelectedRef() types.Ref
 }
 
 type SwitchToDiffFilesController struct {
@@ -51,23 +50,22 @@ func (self *SwitchToDiffFilesController) GetOnClick() func() error {
 	return self.checkSelected(self.enter)
 }
 
-func (self *SwitchToDiffFilesController) checkSelected(callback func(string) error) func() error {
+func (self *SwitchToDiffFilesController) checkSelected(callback func(types.Ref) error) func() error {
 	return func() error {
-		refName := self.context.GetSelectedRefName()
-		if refName == "" {
+		ref := self.context.GetSelectedRef()
+		if ref == nil {
 			return nil
 		}
 
-		return callback(refName)
+		return callback(ref)
 	}
 }
 
-func (self *SwitchToDiffFilesController) enter(refName string) error {
+func (self *SwitchToDiffFilesController) enter(ref types.Ref) error {
 	return self.viewFiles(SwitchToCommitFilesContextOpts{
-		RefName:        refName,
-		RefDescription: self.context.GetSelectedDescription(),
-		CanRebase:      self.context.CanRebase(),
-		Context:        self.context,
+		Ref:       ref,
+		CanRebase: self.context.CanRebase(),
+		Context:   self.context,
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_sub_commits_controller.go b/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_sub_commits_controller.go
index d59f4fdbf..b41d122ed 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_sub_commits_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/controllers/switch_to_sub_commits_controller.go
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ var _ types.IController = &SwitchToSubCommitsController{}
 
 type CanSwitchToSubCommits interface {
 	types.Context
-	GetSelectedRefName() string
-	GetSelectedDescription() string
+	GetSelectedRef() types.Ref
 }
 
 type SwitchToSubCommitsController struct {
@@ -52,8 +51,8 @@ func (self *SwitchToSubCommitsController) GetOnClick() func() error {
 }
 
 func (self *SwitchToSubCommitsController) viewCommits() error {
-	refName := self.context.GetSelectedRefName()
-	if refName == "" {
+	ref := self.context.GetSelectedRef()
+	if ref == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -63,7 +62,7 @@ func (self *SwitchToSubCommitsController) viewCommits() error {
 			Limit:                true,
 			FilterPath:           self.modes.Filtering.GetPath(),
 			IncludeRebaseCommits: false,
-			RefName:              refName,
+			RefName:              ref.RefName(),
 		},
 	)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -75,8 +74,8 @@ func (self *SwitchToSubCommitsController) viewCommits() error {
 	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetSelectedLineIdx(0)
 	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetParentContext(self.context)
 	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetWindowName(self.context.GetWindowName())
-	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetTitleRef(self.context.GetSelectedDescription())
-	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetRefName(refName)
+	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetTitleRef(ref.Description())
+	self.contexts.SubCommits.SetRefName(ref.RefName())
 
 	err = self.c.PostRefreshUpdate(self.contexts.SubCommits)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/gui/controllers/types.go b/pkg/gui/controllers/types.go
index e9af41089..f719b5de0 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/controllers/types.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/controllers/types.go
@@ -6,12 +6,8 @@ import (
 
 // all fields mandatory (except `CanRebase` because it's boolean)
 type SwitchToCommitFilesContextOpts struct {
-	// this is something like a commit sha or branch name
-	RefName string
-
-	// this will be displayed in the title of the view so we know whose diff files
-	// we're viewing
-	RefDescription string
+	// this is something like a commit or branch
+	Ref types.Ref
 
 	// from the local commits view we're allowed to do rebase stuff with any patch
 	// we generate from the diff files context, but we don't have that same ability
diff --git a/pkg/gui/diffing.go b/pkg/gui/diffing.go
index daa659f7f..6e1b2bdeb 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/diffing.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/diffing.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func (gui *Gui) currentDiffTerminals() []string {
 		// TODO: should we just return nil here?
 		return []string{""}
 	case *context.CommitFilesContext:
-		return []string{v.GetRefName()}
+		return []string{v.GetRef().RefName()}
 	case *context.BranchesContext:
 		// for our local branches we want to include both the branch and its upstream
 		branch := gui.State.Contexts.Branches.GetSelected()
diff --git a/pkg/gui/filetree/commit_file_tree_view_model.go b/pkg/gui/filetree/commit_file_tree_view_model.go
index 72960c702..a022bc25e 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/filetree/commit_file_tree_view_model.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/filetree/commit_file_tree_view_model.go
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ type ICommitFileTreeViewModel interface {
 	ICommitFileTree
 	types.IListCursor
 
-	GetRefName() string
-	SetRefName(string)
+	GetRef() types.Ref
+	SetRef(types.Ref)
 	GetCanRebase() bool
 	SetCanRebase(bool)
 }
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ type CommitFileTreeViewModel struct {
 	ICommitFileTree
 	types.IListCursor
 
-	// this is e.g. the commit SHA of the commit for which we're viewing the files
-	refName string
+	// this is e.g. the commit for which we're viewing the files
+	ref types.Ref
 
 	// we set this to true when you're viewing the files within the checked-out branch's commits.
 	// If you're viewing the files of some random other branch we can't do any rebase stuff.
@@ -40,17 +40,17 @@ func NewCommitFileTreeViewModel(getFiles func() []*models.CommitFile, log *logru
 	return &CommitFileTreeViewModel{
 		ICommitFileTree: fileTree,
 		IListCursor:     listCursor,
-		refName:         "",
+		ref:             nil,
 		canRebase:       false,
 	}
 }
 
-func (self *CommitFileTreeViewModel) GetRefName() string {
-	return self.refName
+func (self *CommitFileTreeViewModel) GetRef() types.Ref {
+	return self.ref
 }
 
-func (self *CommitFileTreeViewModel) SetRefName(refName string) {
-	self.refName = refName
+func (self *CommitFileTreeViewModel) SetRef(ref types.Ref) {
+	self.ref = ref
 }
 
 func (self *CommitFileTreeViewModel) GetCanRebase() bool {
diff --git a/pkg/gui/modes/diffing/diffing.go b/pkg/gui/modes/diffing/diffing.go
index b27662b72..aa13bd1c1 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/modes/diffing/diffing.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/modes/diffing/diffing.go
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ func (self *Diffing) Active() bool {
 
 // GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff tells us the from and reverse args to be used in a diff command.
 // If we're not in diff mode we'll end up with the equivalent of a `git show` i.e `git diff blah^..blah`.
-func (self *Diffing) GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(to string) (string, bool) {
-	from := to + "^"
+func (self *Diffing) GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(from string) (string, bool) {
 	reverse := false
 
 	if self.Active() {
diff --git a/pkg/gui/patch_building_panel.go b/pkg/gui/patch_building_panel.go
index f1aea7b55..87f4ccd92 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/patch_building_panel.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/patch_building_panel.go
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ func (gui *Gui) refreshPatchBuildingPanel(selectedLineIdx int) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	to := gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.CommitFileTreeViewModel.GetRefName()
-	from, reverse := gui.State.Modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(to)
+	ref := gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.CommitFileTreeViewModel.GetRef()
+	to := ref.RefName()
+	from, reverse := gui.State.Modes.Diffing.GetFromAndReverseArgsForDiff(ref.ParentRefName())
 	diff, err := gui.git.WorkingTree.ShowFileDiff(from, to, reverse, node.GetPath(), true)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/pkg/gui/presentation/files.go b/pkg/gui/presentation/files.go
index 13b2a64b0..3f4e34f14 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/presentation/files.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/presentation/files.go
@@ -49,11 +49,11 @@ func RenderCommitFileTree(
 		// based on the leaves of that subtree
 		var status patch.PatchStatus
 		if castN.EveryFile(func(file *models.CommitFile) bool {
-			return patchManager.GetFileStatus(file.Name, tree.GetRefName()) == patch.WHOLE
+			return patchManager.GetFileStatus(file.Name, tree.GetRef().RefName()) == patch.WHOLE
 		}) {
 			status = patch.WHOLE
 		} else if castN.EveryFile(func(file *models.CommitFile) bool {
-			return patchManager.GetFileStatus(file.Name, tree.GetRefName()) == patch.UNSELECTED
+			return patchManager.GetFileStatus(file.Name, tree.GetRef().RefName()) == patch.UNSELECTED
 		}) {
 			status = patch.UNSELECTED
 		} else {
diff --git a/pkg/gui/refresh.go b/pkg/gui/refresh.go
index 244c0c050..d3aaf9454 100644
--- a/pkg/gui/refresh.go
+++ b/pkg/gui/refresh.go
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ func (gui *Gui) refreshCommits() {
 			// For now the awkwardness remains.
 			commit := gui.getSelectedLocalCommit()
 			if commit != nil {
-				gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetRefName(commit.RefName())
+				gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetRef(commit)
 				gui.State.Contexts.CommitFiles.SetTitleRef(commit.RefName())
 				_ = gui.refreshCommitFilesContext()
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/gui/types/ref.go b/pkg/gui/types/ref.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..49a15b275
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/gui/types/ref.go
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+package types
+
+type Ref interface {
+	RefName() string
+	ParentRefName() string
+	Description() string
+}