Various memory leak fixes

index 780fcaf529..9820947ab2 100644
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 static int debug;
 
 struct helper_data {
-	const char *name;
+	char *name;
 	struct child_process *helper;
 	FILE *out;
 	unsigned fetch : 1,

@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ static void do_take_over(struct transport *transport)
 	data = (struct helper_data *)transport->data;
 	transport_take_over(transport, data->helper);
 	fclose(data->out);
+	free(data->name);
 	free(data);
 }
 

@@ -253,6 +254,7 @@ static int disconnect_helper(struct transport *transport)
 		close(data->helper->out);
 		fclose(data->out);
 		res = finish_command(data->helper);
+		FREE_AND_NULL(data->name);
 		FREE_AND_NULL(data->helper);
 	}
 	return res;

@@ -1297,7 +1299,7 @@ static struct transport_vtable vtable = {
 int transport_helper_init(struct transport *transport, const char *name)
 {
 	struct helper_data *data = xcalloc(1, sizeof(*data));
-	data->name = name;
+	data->name = xstrdup(name);
 
 	transport_check_allowed(name);
 

index 0ad04b77fd..83ddea8fbc 100644
@@ -1176,6 +1176,7 @@ struct transport *transport_get(struct remote *remote, const char *url)
 		int len = external_specification_len(url);
 		char *handler = xmemdupz(url, len);
 		transport_helper_init(ret, handler);
+		free(handler);
 	}
 
 	if (ret->smart_options) {

index 0d929e4e19..e1076c9891 100644
@@ -691,8 +691,10 @@ int strbuf_getwholeline(struct strbuf *sb, FILE *fp, int term)
 int strbuf_appendwholeline(struct strbuf *sb, FILE *fp, int term)
 {
 	struct strbuf line = STRBUF_INIT;
-	if (strbuf_getwholeline(&line, fp, term))
+	if (strbuf_getwholeline(&line, fp, term)) {
+		strbuf_release(&line);
 		return EOF;
+	}
 	strbuf_addbuf(sb, &line);
 	strbuf_release(&line);
 	return 0;

index f90a4ca4b7..3cf44b4683 100644
@@ -1275,12 +1275,12 @@ static void setup_new_branch_info_and_source_tree(
 	}
 }
 
-static const char *parse_remote_branch(const char *arg,
-				       struct object_id *rev,
-				       int could_be_checkout_paths)
+static char *parse_remote_branch(const char *arg,
+				 struct object_id *rev,
+				 int could_be_checkout_paths)
 {
 	int num_matches = 0;
-	const char *remote = unique_tracking_name(arg, rev, &num_matches);
+	char *remote = unique_tracking_name(arg, rev, &num_matches);
 
 	if (remote && could_be_checkout_paths) {
 		die(_("'%s' could be both a local file and a tracking branch.\n"

@@ -1316,6 +1316,7 @@ static int parse_branchname_arg(int argc, const char **argv,
 	const char **new_branch = &opts->new_branch;
 	int argcount = 0;
 	const char *arg;
+	char *remote = NULL;
 	int dash_dash_pos;
 	int has_dash_dash = 0;
 	int i;

@@ -1416,8 +1417,8 @@ static int parse_branchname_arg(int argc, const char **argv,
 			recover_with_dwim = 0;
 
 		if (recover_with_dwim) {
-			const char *remote = parse_remote_branch(arg, rev,
-								 could_be_checkout_paths);
+			remote = parse_remote_branch(arg, rev,
+						     could_be_checkout_paths);
 			if (remote) {
 				*new_branch = arg;
 				arg = remote;

@@ -1459,6 +1460,7 @@ static int parse_branchname_arg(int argc, const char **argv,
 		argc--;
 	}
 
+	free(remote);
 	return argcount;
 }
 

index 7e0868df72..937da6c0ee 100644
@@ -736,16 +736,14 @@ static int dwim_orphan(const struct add_opts *opts, int opt_track, int remote)
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static const char *dwim_branch(const char *path, const char **new_branch)
+static char *dwim_branch(const char *path, char **new_branch)
 {
 	int n;
 	int branch_exists;
 	const char *s = worktree_basename(path, &n);
-	const char *branchname = xstrndup(s, n);
+	char *branchname = xstrndup(s, n);
 	struct strbuf ref = STRBUF_INIT;
 
-	UNLEAK(branchname);
-
 	branch_exists = !strbuf_check_branch_ref(&ref, branchname) &&
 			refs_ref_exists(get_main_ref_store(the_repository),
 					ref.buf);

@@ -756,8 +754,7 @@ static const char *dwim_branch(const char *path, const char **new_branch)
 	*new_branch = branchname;
 	if (guess_remote) {
 		struct object_id oid;
-		const char *remote =
-			unique_tracking_name(*new_branch, &oid, NULL);
+		char *remote = unique_tracking_name(*new_branch, &oid, NULL);
 		return remote;
 	}
 	return NULL;

@@ -769,6 +766,8 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 	const char *new_branch_force = NULL;
 	char *path;
 	const char *branch;
+	char *branch_to_free = NULL;
+	char *new_branch_to_free = NULL;
 	const char *new_branch = NULL;
 	const char *opt_track = NULL;
 	const char *lock_reason = NULL;

@@ -859,16 +858,17 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 		opts.orphan = dwim_orphan(&opts, !!opt_track, 0);
 	} else if (ac < 2) {
 		/* DWIM: Guess branch name from path. */
-		const char *s = dwim_branch(path, &new_branch);
+		char *s = dwim_branch(path, &new_branch_to_free);
 		if (s)
-			branch = s;
+			branch = branch_to_free = s;
+		new_branch = new_branch_to_free;
 
 		/* DWIM: Infer --orphan when repo has no refs. */
 		opts.orphan = (!s) && dwim_orphan(&opts, !!opt_track, 1);
 	} else if (ac == 2) {
 		struct object_id oid;
 		struct commit *commit;
-		const char *remote;
+		char *remote;
 
 		commit = lookup_commit_reference_by_name(branch);
 		if (!commit) {

@@ -923,6 +923,8 @@ static int add(int ac, const char **av, const char *prefix)
 
 	ret = add_worktree(path, branch, &opts);
 	free(path);
+	free(branch_to_free);
+	free(new_branch_to_free);
 	return ret;
 }
 

index 4256e71a7c..cfaea4bd10 100644
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ static int check_tracking_name(struct remote *remote, void *cb_data)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-const char *unique_tracking_name(const char *name, struct object_id *oid,
-				 int *dwim_remotes_matched)
+char *unique_tracking_name(const char *name, struct object_id *oid,
+			   int *dwim_remotes_matched)
 {
 	struct tracking_name_data cb_data = TRACKING_NAME_DATA_INIT;
 	const char *default_remote = NULL;

index 3c514a5ab4..ba15a13fb3 100644
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
  * tracking branch.  Return the name of the remote if such a branch
  * exists, NULL otherwise.
  */
-const char *unique_tracking_name(const char *name,
-				 struct object_id *oid,
-				 int *dwim_remotes_matched);
+char *unique_tracking_name(const char *name,
+			   struct object_id *oid,
+			   int *dwim_remotes_matched);
 
 #endif /* CHECKOUT_H */

index 752c879c1f..db2e2f1d39 100644
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ char curl_errorstr[CURL_ERROR_SIZE];
 static int curl_ssl_verify = -1;
 static int curl_ssl_try;
 static const char *curl_http_version = NULL;
-static const char *ssl_cert;
-static const char *ssl_cert_type;
+static char *ssl_cert;
+static char *ssl_cert_type;
 static const char *ssl_cipherlist;
 static const char *ssl_version;
 static struct {

@@ -59,23 +59,23 @@ static struct {
 	{ "tlsv1.3", CURL_SSLVERSION_TLSv1_3 },
 #endif
 };
-static const char *ssl_key;
-static const char *ssl_key_type;
-static const char *ssl_capath;
-static const char *curl_no_proxy;
+static char *ssl_key;
+static char *ssl_key_type;
+static char *ssl_capath;
+static char *curl_no_proxy;
 #ifdef GIT_CURL_HAVE_CURLOPT_PINNEDPUBLICKEY
 static const char *ssl_pinnedkey;
 #endif
-static const char *ssl_cainfo;
+static char *ssl_cainfo;
 static long curl_low_speed_limit = -1;
 static long curl_low_speed_time = -1;
 static int curl_ftp_no_epsv;
-static const char *curl_http_proxy;
-static const char *http_proxy_authmethod;
+static char *curl_http_proxy;
+static char *http_proxy_authmethod;
 
-static const char *http_proxy_ssl_cert;
-static const char *http_proxy_ssl_key;
-static const char *http_proxy_ssl_ca_info;
+static char *http_proxy_ssl_cert;
+static char *http_proxy_ssl_key;
+static char *http_proxy_ssl_ca_info;
 static struct credential proxy_cert_auth = CREDENTIAL_INIT;
 static int proxy_ssl_cert_password_required;
 

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ static const char *curl_cookie_file;
 static int curl_save_cookies;
 struct credential http_auth = CREDENTIAL_INIT;
 static int http_proactive_auth;
-static const char *user_agent;
+static char *user_agent;
 static int curl_empty_auth = -1;
 
 enum http_follow_config http_follow_config = HTTP_FOLLOW_INITIAL;

@@ -381,17 +381,17 @@ static int http_options(const char *var, const char *value,
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslversion", var))
 		return git_config_string(&ssl_version, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcert", var))
-		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_cert, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_cert, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcerttype", var))
-		return git_config_string(&ssl_cert_type, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&ssl_cert_type, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslkey", var))
-		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_key, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_key, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslkeytype", var))
-		return git_config_string(&ssl_key_type, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&ssl_key_type, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcapath", var))
-		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_capath, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_capath, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcainfo", var))
-		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_cainfo, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_cainfo, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcertpasswordprotected", var)) {
 		ssl_cert_password_required = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;

@@ -440,19 +440,19 @@ static int http_options(const char *var, const char *value,
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp("http.proxy", var))
-		return git_config_string(&curl_http_proxy, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&curl_http_proxy, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.proxyauthmethod", var))
-		return git_config_string(&http_proxy_authmethod, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&http_proxy_authmethod, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.proxysslcert", var))
-		return git_config_string(&http_proxy_ssl_cert, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&http_proxy_ssl_cert, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.proxysslkey", var))
-		return git_config_string(&http_proxy_ssl_key, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&http_proxy_ssl_key, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.proxysslcainfo", var))
-		return git_config_string(&http_proxy_ssl_ca_info, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&http_proxy_ssl_ca_info, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.proxysslcertpasswordprotected", var)) {
 		proxy_ssl_cert_password_required = git_config_bool(var, value);

@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ static int http_options(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.useragent", var))
-		return git_config_string(&user_agent, var, value);
+		return git_config_string((const char **)&user_agent, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp("http.emptyauth", var)) {
 		if (value && !strcmp("auto", value))

@@ -592,10 +592,10 @@ static void init_curl_http_auth(CURL *result)
 }
 
 /* *var must be free-able */
-static void var_override(const char **var, char *value)
+static void var_override(char **var, char *value)
 {
 	if (value) {
-		free((void *)*var);
+		free(*var);
 		*var = xstrdup(value);
 	}
 }

@@ -1233,11 +1233,13 @@ static CURL *get_curl_handle(void)
 	return result;
 }
 
-static void set_from_env(const char **var, const char *envname)
+static void set_from_env(char **var, const char *envname)
 {
 	const char *val = getenv(envname);
-	if (val)
-		*var = val;
+	if (val) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(*var);
+		*var = xstrdup(val);
+	}
 }
 
 void http_init(struct remote *remote, const char *url, int proactive_auth)

index 6bc7aa6085..838cd476be 100644
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ static int git_blame_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "blame.ignorerevsfile")) {
-		const char *str;
+		char *str;
 		int ret;
 
 		ret = git_config_pathname(&str, var, value);

index 78bfae2164..1cc88e92bf 100644
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ static enum {
 } commit_style;
 
 static const char *logfile, *force_author;
-static const char *template_file;
+static char *template_file;
 /*
  * The _message variables are commit names from which to take
  * the commit message and/or authorship.

index 80aa9d8a66..cc343f55ca 100644
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ static int format_config(struct strbuf *buf, const char *key_,
 			else
 				strbuf_addstr(buf, v ? "true" : "false");
 		} else if (type == TYPE_PATH) {
-			const char *v;
+			char *v;
 			if (git_config_pathname(&v, key_, value_) < 0)
 				return -1;
 			strbuf_addstr(buf, v);

index b17dd8b40a..a2f5845556 100644
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ static int do_signoff;
 static enum auto_base_setting auto_base;
 static char *from;
 static const char *signature = git_version_string;
-static const char *signature_file;
+static char *signature_file;
 static enum cover_setting config_cover_letter;
 static const char *config_output_directory;
 static enum cover_from_description cover_from_description_mode = COVER_FROM_MESSAGE;

index be8969a84a..56228ad314 100644
@@ -168,13 +168,13 @@ static int receive_pack_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 
 	if (strcmp(var, "receive.fsck.skiplist") == 0) {
-		const char *path;
+		char *path;
 
 		if (git_config_pathname(&path, var, value))
 			return 1;
 		strbuf_addf(&fsck_msg_types, "%cskiplist=%s",
 			fsck_msg_types.len ? ',' : '=', path);
-		free((char *)path);
+		free(path);
 		return 0;
 	}
 

index d57996240b..fb56e11276 100644
@@ -1346,7 +1346,7 @@ int git_config_string(const char **dest, const char *var, const char *value)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int git_config_pathname(const char **dest, const char *var, const char *value)
+int git_config_pathname(char **dest, const char *var, const char *value)
 {
 	if (!value)
 		return config_error_nonbool(var);

@@ -1597,7 +1597,7 @@ static int git_default_core_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 		return git_config_string(&askpass_program, var, value);
 
 	if (!strcmp(var, "core.excludesfile")) {
-		free((char *)excludes_file);
+		free(excludes_file);
 		return git_config_pathname(&excludes_file, var, value);
 	}
 

@@ -2494,7 +2494,7 @@ int git_configset_get_maybe_bool(struct config_set *set, const char *key, int *d
 		return 1;
 }
 
-int git_configset_get_pathname(struct config_set *set, const char *key, const char **dest)
+int git_configset_get_pathname(struct config_set *set, const char *key, char **dest)
 {
 	const char *value;
 	if (!git_configset_get_value(set, key, &value, NULL))

@@ -2639,7 +2639,7 @@ int repo_config_get_maybe_bool(struct repository *repo,
 }
 
 int repo_config_get_pathname(struct repository *repo,
-			     const char *key, const char **dest)
+			     const char *key, char **dest)
 {
 	int ret;
 	git_config_check_init(repo);

@@ -2738,7 +2738,7 @@ int git_config_get_maybe_bool(const char *key, int *dest)
 	return repo_config_get_maybe_bool(the_repository, key, dest);
 }
 
-int git_config_get_pathname(const char *key, const char **dest)
+int git_config_get_pathname(const char *key, char **dest)
 {
 	return repo_config_get_pathname(the_repository, key, dest);
 }

index db8b608064..b3103bba94 100644
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ int git_config_string(const char **, const char *, const char *);
  * Similar to `git_config_string`, but expands `~` or `~user` into the
  * user's home directory when found at the beginning of the path.
  */
-int git_config_pathname(const char **, const char *, const char *);
+int git_config_pathname(char **, const char *, const char *);
 
 int git_config_expiry_date(timestamp_t *, const char *, const char *);
 int git_config_color(char *, const char *, const char *);

@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ int git_configset_get_ulong(struct config_set *cs, const char *key, unsigned lon
 int git_configset_get_bool(struct config_set *cs, const char *key, int *dest);
 int git_configset_get_bool_or_int(struct config_set *cs, const char *key, int *is_bool, int *dest);
 int git_configset_get_maybe_bool(struct config_set *cs, const char *key, int *dest);
-int git_configset_get_pathname(struct config_set *cs, const char *key, const char **dest);
+int git_configset_get_pathname(struct config_set *cs, const char *key, char **dest);
 
 /* Functions for reading a repository's config */
 struct repository;

@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ int repo_config_get_bool_or_int(struct repository *repo,
 int repo_config_get_maybe_bool(struct repository *repo,
 			       const char *key, int *dest);
 int repo_config_get_pathname(struct repository *repo,
-			     const char *key, const char **dest);
+			     const char *key, char **dest);
 
 /*
  * Functions for reading protected config. By definition, protected

@@ -687,7 +687,7 @@ int git_config_get_maybe_bool(const char *key, int *dest);
  * Similar to `git_config_get_string`, but expands `~` or `~user` into
  * the user's home directory when found at the beginning of the path.
  */
-int git_config_get_pathname(const char *key, const char **dest);
+int git_config_get_pathname(const char *key, char **dest);
 
 int git_config_get_index_threads(int *dest);
 int git_config_get_split_index(void);

index ded9ac70df..902df9286a 100644
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ static int diff_context_default = 3;
 static int diff_interhunk_context_default;
 static const char *diff_word_regex_cfg;
 static const char *external_diff_cmd_cfg;
-static const char *diff_order_file_cfg;
+static char *diff_order_file_cfg;
 int diff_auto_refresh_index = 1;
 static int diff_mnemonic_prefix;
 static int diff_no_prefix;

index a73ba9c12c..279ea3fd5e 100644
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ const char *git_commit_encoding;
 const char *git_log_output_encoding;
 char *apply_default_whitespace;
 char *apply_default_ignorewhitespace;
-const char *git_attributes_file;
-const char *git_hooks_path;
+char *git_attributes_file;
+char *git_hooks_path;
 int zlib_compression_level = Z_BEST_SPEED;
 int pack_compression_level = Z_DEFAULT_COMPRESSION;
 int fsync_object_files = -1;

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ size_t delta_base_cache_limit = 96 * 1024 * 1024;
 unsigned long big_file_threshold = 512 * 1024 * 1024;
 const char *editor_program;
 const char *askpass_program;
-const char *excludes_file;
+char *excludes_file;
 enum auto_crlf auto_crlf = AUTO_CRLF_FALSE;
 enum eol core_eol = EOL_UNSET;
 int global_conv_flags_eol = CONV_EOL_RNDTRP_WARN;

index 0b2d457f07..be1b88ad6f 100644
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ extern int warn_ambiguous_refs;
 extern int warn_on_object_refname_ambiguity;
 extern char *apply_default_whitespace;
 extern char *apply_default_ignorewhitespace;
-extern const char *git_attributes_file;
-extern const char *git_hooks_path;
+extern char *git_attributes_file;
+extern char *git_hooks_path;
 extern int zlib_compression_level;
 extern int pack_compression_level;
 extern size_t packed_git_window_size;

@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ extern const char *git_log_output_encoding;
 
 extern const char *editor_program;
 extern const char *askpass_program;
-extern const char *excludes_file;
+extern char *excludes_file;
 
 /*
  * Should we print an ellipsis after an abbreviated SHA-1 value

index 8e8f3bba32..d80e9c92dd 100644
@@ -1865,13 +1865,13 @@ static int fetch_pack_config_cb(const char *var, const char *value,
 	const char *msg_id;
 
 	if (strcmp(var, "fetch.fsck.skiplist") == 0) {
-		const char *path;
+		char *path ;
 
 		if (git_config_pathname(&path, var, value))
 			return 1;
 		strbuf_addf(&fsck_msg_types, "%cskiplist=%s",
 			fsck_msg_types.len ? ',' : '=', path);
-		free((char *)path);
+		free(path);
 		return 0;
 	}
 

index 8ef962199f..7dff41413e 100644
@@ -1330,13 +1330,13 @@ int git_fsck_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	const char *msg_id;
 
 	if (strcmp(var, "fsck.skiplist") == 0) {
-		const char *path;
+		char *path;
 		struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
 
 		if (git_config_pathname(&path, var, value))
 			return 1;
 		strbuf_addf(&sb, "skiplist=%s", path);
-		free((char *)path);
+		free(path);
 		fsck_set_msg_types(options, sb.buf);
 		strbuf_release(&sb);
 		return 0;

index a6a9e6bc19..e818583420 100644
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ static struct fsmonitor_settings *alloc_settings(void)
 static void lookup_fsmonitor_settings(struct repository *r)
 {
 	const char *const_str;
+	char *to_free = NULL;
 	int bool_value;
 
 	if (r->settings.fsmonitor)

@@ -129,8 +130,9 @@ static void lookup_fsmonitor_settings(struct repository *r)
 		break;
 
 	case -1: /* config value set to an arbitrary string */
-		if (repo_config_get_pathname(r, "core.fsmonitor", &const_str))
+		if (repo_config_get_pathname(r, "core.fsmonitor", &to_free))
 			return; /* should not happen */
+		const_str = to_free;
 		break;
 
 	default: /* should not happen */

@@ -141,6 +143,7 @@ static void lookup_fsmonitor_settings(struct repository *r)
 		fsm_settings__set_hook(r, const_str);
 	else
 		fsm_settings__set_disabled(r);
+	free(to_free);
 }
 
 enum fsmonitor_mode fsm_settings__get_mode(struct repository *r)

index 1ff94266d2..2b50ed0fa0 100644
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ static void gpg_interface_lazy_init(void)
 }
 
 static char *configured_signing_key;
-static const char *ssh_default_key_command, *ssh_allowed_signers, *ssh_revocation_file;
+static const char *ssh_default_key_command;
+static char *ssh_allowed_signers;
+static char *ssh_revocation_file;
 static enum signature_trust_level configured_min_trust_level = TRUST_UNDEFINED;
 
 struct gpg_format {

index db2e2f1d39..fa3ea87451 100644
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ static char *ssl_key_type;
 static char *ssl_capath;
 static char *curl_no_proxy;
 #ifdef GIT_CURL_HAVE_CURLOPT_PINNEDPUBLICKEY
-static const char *ssl_pinnedkey;
+static char *ssl_pinnedkey;
 #endif
 static char *ssl_cainfo;
 static long curl_low_speed_limit = -1;

@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ static struct {
 
 static struct credential proxy_auth = CREDENTIAL_INIT;
 static const char *curl_proxyuserpwd;
-static const char *curl_cookie_file;
+static char *curl_cookie_file;
 static int curl_save_cookies;
 struct credential http_auth = CREDENTIAL_INIT;
 static int http_proactive_auth;

@@ -381,17 +381,17 @@ static int http_options(const char *var, const char *value,
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslversion", var))
 		return git_config_string(&ssl_version, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcert", var))
-		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_cert, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_cert, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcerttype", var))
 		return git_config_string((const char **)&ssl_cert_type, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslkey", var))
-		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_key, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_key, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslkeytype", var))
 		return git_config_string((const char **)&ssl_key_type, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcapath", var))
-		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_capath, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_capath, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcainfo", var))
-		return git_config_pathname((const char **)&ssl_cainfo, var, value);
+		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_cainfo, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcertpasswordprotected", var)) {
 		ssl_cert_password_required = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;

index 3d6a5e9400..044466b043 100644
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #include "object-store-ll.h"
 #include "setup.h"
 
-const char *git_mailmap_file;
+char *git_mailmap_file;
 const char *git_mailmap_blob;
 
 struct mailmap_info {

index 0f8fd2c586..429a760945 100644
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 struct string_list;
 
-extern const char *git_mailmap_file;
+extern char *git_mailmap_file;
 extern const char *git_mailmap_blob;
 
 int read_mailmap(struct string_list *map);

index 9247cded6a..59ff3a19eb 100644
@@ -1177,13 +1177,13 @@ static int safe_directory_cb(const char *key, const char *value,
 	} else if (!strcmp(value, "*")) {
 		data->is_safe = 1;
 	} else {
-		const char *interpolated = NULL;
+		char *interpolated = NULL;
 
 		if (!git_config_pathname(&interpolated, key, value) &&
 		    !fspathcmp(data->path, interpolated ? interpolated : value))
 			data->is_safe = 1;
 
-		free((char *)interpolated);
+		free(interpolated);
 	}
 
 	return 0;

@@ -1822,7 +1822,7 @@ static int template_dir_cb(const char *key, const char *value,
 		char *path = NULL;
 
 		FREE_AND_NULL(data->path);
-		if (!git_config_pathname((const char **)&path, key, value))
+		if (!git_config_pathname(&path, key, value))
 			data->path = path ? path : xstrdup(value);
 	}
 

index 902df9286a..679ef472f4 100644
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ static char *diff_order_file_cfg;
 int diff_auto_refresh_index = 1;
 static int diff_mnemonic_prefix;
 static int diff_no_prefix;
-static const char *diff_src_prefix = "a/";
-static const char *diff_dst_prefix = "b/";
+static char *diff_src_prefix;
+static char *diff_dst_prefix;
 static int diff_relative;
 static int diff_stat_name_width;
 static int diff_stat_graph_width;

@@ -411,10 +411,12 @@ int git_diff_ui_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.srcprefix")) {
-		return git_config_string(&diff_src_prefix, var, value);
+		FREE_AND_NULL(diff_src_prefix);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &diff_src_prefix, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.dstprefix")) {
-		return git_config_string(&diff_dst_prefix, var, value);
+		FREE_AND_NULL(diff_dst_prefix);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &diff_dst_prefix, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.relative")) {
 		diff_relative = git_config_bool(var, value);

@@ -3433,8 +3435,8 @@ void diff_set_noprefix(struct diff_options *options)
 
 void diff_set_default_prefix(struct diff_options *options)
 {
-	options->a_prefix = diff_src_prefix;
-	options->b_prefix = diff_dst_prefix;
+	options->a_prefix = diff_src_prefix ? diff_src_prefix : "a/";
+	options->b_prefix = diff_dst_prefix ? diff_dst_prefix : "b/";
 }
 
 struct userdiff_driver *get_textconv(struct repository *r,

@@ -5371,8 +5373,8 @@ static int diff_opt_default_prefix(const struct option *opt,
 
 	BUG_ON_OPT_NEG(unset);
 	BUG_ON_OPT_ARG(optarg);
-	diff_src_prefix = "a/";
-	diff_dst_prefix = "b/";
+	FREE_AND_NULL(diff_src_prefix);
+	FREE_AND_NULL(diff_dst_prefix);
 	diff_set_default_prefix(options);
 	return 0;
 }

index fb56e11276..f9101045ee 100644
@@ -1564,8 +1564,10 @@ static int git_default_core_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (!strcmp(var, "core.checkroundtripencoding"))
-		return git_config_string(&check_roundtrip_encoding, var, value);
+	if (!strcmp(var, "core.checkroundtripencoding")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(check_roundtrip_encoding);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &check_roundtrip_encoding, var, value);
+	}
 
 	if (!strcmp(var, "core.notesref")) {
 		if (!value)

index 35b25eb3cb..03c3c528f9 100644
@@ -345,30 +345,32 @@ static int check_roundtrip(const char *enc_name)
 	 * space separated encodings (eg. "UTF-16, ASCII, CP1125").
 	 * Search for the given encoding in that string.
 	 */
-	const char *found = strcasestr(check_roundtrip_encoding, enc_name);
+	const char *encoding = check_roundtrip_encoding ?
+		check_roundtrip_encoding : "SHIFT-JIS";
+	const char *found = strcasestr(encoding, enc_name);
 	const char *next;
 	int len;
 	if (!found)
 		return 0;
 	next = found + strlen(enc_name);
-	len = strlen(check_roundtrip_encoding);
+	len = strlen(encoding);
 	return (found && (
 			/*
-			 * check that the found encoding is at the
-			 * beginning of check_roundtrip_encoding or
-			 * that it is prefixed with a space or comma
+			 * Check that the found encoding is at the beginning of
+			 * encoding or that it is prefixed with a space or
+			 * comma.
 			 */
-			found == check_roundtrip_encoding || (
+			found == encoding || (
 				(isspace(found[-1]) || found[-1] == ',')
 			)
 		) && (
 			/*
-			 * check that the found encoding is at the
-			 * end of check_roundtrip_encoding or
-			 * that it is suffixed with a space or comma
+			 * Check that the found encoding is at the end of
+			 * encoding or that it is suffixed with a space
+			 * or comma.
 			 */
-			next == check_roundtrip_encoding + len || (
-				next < check_roundtrip_encoding + len &&
+			next == encoding + len || (
+				next < encoding + len &&
 				(isspace(next[0]) || next[0] == ',')
 			)
 		));

index ab8b4fa68d..d925589444 100644
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ void convert_attrs(struct index_state *istate,
 		   struct conv_attrs *ca, const char *path);
 
 extern enum eol core_eol;
-extern const char *check_roundtrip_encoding;
+extern char *check_roundtrip_encoding;
 const char *get_cached_convert_stats_ascii(struct index_state *istate,
 					   const char *path);
 const char *get_wt_convert_stats_ascii(const char *path);

index 279ea3fd5e..ab6956559e 100644
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ char *excludes_file;
 enum auto_crlf auto_crlf = AUTO_CRLF_FALSE;
 enum eol core_eol = EOL_UNSET;
 int global_conv_flags_eol = CONV_EOL_RNDTRP_WARN;
-const char *check_roundtrip_encoding = "SHIFT-JIS";
+char *check_roundtrip_encoding;
 enum branch_track git_branch_track = BRANCH_TRACK_REMOTE;
 enum rebase_setup_type autorebase = AUTOREBASE_NEVER;
 enum push_default_type push_default = PUSH_DEFAULT_UNSPECIFIED;

index a2f5845556..f5da29ee2a 100644
@@ -48,22 +48,8 @@
 #define COVER_FROM_AUTO_MAX_SUBJECT_LEN 100
 #define FORMAT_PATCH_NAME_MAX_DEFAULT 64
 
-/* Set a default date-time format for git log ("log.date" config variable) */
-static const char *default_date_mode = NULL;
-
-static int default_abbrev_commit;
-static int default_show_root = 1;
-static int default_follow;
-static int default_show_signature;
-static int default_encode_email_headers = 1;
-static int decoration_style;
-static int decoration_given;
-static int use_mailmap_config = 1;
 static unsigned int force_in_body_from;
 static int stdout_mboxrd;
-static const char *fmt_patch_subject_prefix = "PATCH";
-static int fmt_patch_name_max = FORMAT_PATCH_NAME_MAX_DEFAULT;
-static const char *fmt_pretty;
 static int format_no_prefix;
 
 static const char * const builtin_log_usage[] = {

@@ -111,6 +97,39 @@ static int parse_decoration_style(const char *value)
 	return -1;
 }
 
+struct log_config {
+	int default_abbrev_commit;
+	int default_show_root;
+	int default_follow;
+	int default_show_signature;
+	int default_encode_email_headers;
+	int decoration_style;
+	int decoration_given;
+	int use_mailmap_config;
+	char *fmt_patch_subject_prefix;
+	int fmt_patch_name_max;
+	char *fmt_pretty;
+	char *default_date_mode;
+};
+
+static void log_config_init(struct log_config *cfg)
+{
+	memset(cfg, 0, sizeof(*cfg));
+	cfg->default_show_root = 1;
+	cfg->default_encode_email_headers = 1;
+	cfg->use_mailmap_config = 1;
+	cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix = xstrdup("PATCH");
+	cfg->fmt_patch_name_max = FORMAT_PATCH_NAME_MAX_DEFAULT;
+	cfg->decoration_style = auto_decoration_style();
+}
+
+static void log_config_release(struct log_config *cfg)
+{
+	free(cfg->default_date_mode);
+	free(cfg->fmt_pretty);
+	free(cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
+}
+
 static int use_default_decoration_filter = 1;
 static struct string_list decorate_refs_exclude = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
 static struct string_list decorate_refs_exclude_config = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;

@@ -127,20 +146,22 @@ static int clear_decorations_callback(const struct option *opt UNUSED,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int decorate_callback(const struct option *opt UNUSED, const char *arg,
+static int decorate_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg,
 			     int unset)
 {
+	struct log_config *cfg = opt->value;
+
 	if (unset)
-		decoration_style = 0;
+		cfg->decoration_style = 0;
 	else if (arg)
-		decoration_style = parse_decoration_style(arg);
+		cfg->decoration_style = parse_decoration_style(arg);
 	else
-		decoration_style = DECORATE_SHORT_REFS;
+		cfg->decoration_style = DECORATE_SHORT_REFS;
 
-	if (decoration_style < 0)
+	if (cfg->decoration_style < 0)
 		die(_("invalid --decorate option: %s"), arg);
 
-	decoration_given = 1;
+	cfg->decoration_given = 1;
 
 	return 0;
 }

@@ -160,32 +181,26 @@ static int log_line_range_callback(const struct option *option, const char *arg,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static void init_log_defaults(void)
+static void cmd_log_init_defaults(struct rev_info *rev,
+				  struct log_config *cfg)
 {
-	init_diff_ui_defaults();
-
-	decoration_style = auto_decoration_style();
-}
-
-static void cmd_log_init_defaults(struct rev_info *rev)
-{
-	if (fmt_pretty)
-		get_commit_format(fmt_pretty, rev);
-	if (default_follow)
+	if (cfg->fmt_pretty)
+		get_commit_format(cfg->fmt_pretty, rev);
+	if (cfg->default_follow)
 		rev->diffopt.flags.default_follow_renames = 1;
 	rev->verbose_header = 1;
 	init_diffstat_widths(&rev->diffopt);
 	rev->diffopt.flags.recursive = 1;
 	rev->diffopt.flags.allow_textconv = 1;
-	rev->abbrev_commit = default_abbrev_commit;
-	rev->show_root_diff = default_show_root;
-	rev->subject_prefix = fmt_patch_subject_prefix;
-	rev->patch_name_max = fmt_patch_name_max;
-	rev->show_signature = default_show_signature;
-	rev->encode_email_headers = default_encode_email_headers;
+	rev->abbrev_commit = cfg->default_abbrev_commit;
+	rev->show_root_diff = cfg->default_show_root;
+	rev->subject_prefix = cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix;
+	rev->patch_name_max = cfg->fmt_patch_name_max;
+	rev->show_signature = cfg->default_show_signature;
+	rev->encode_email_headers = cfg->default_encode_email_headers;
 
-	if (default_date_mode)
-		parse_date_format(default_date_mode, &rev->date_mode);
+	if (cfg->default_date_mode)
+		parse_date_format(cfg->default_date_mode, &rev->date_mode);
 }
 
 static void set_default_decoration_filter(struct decoration_filter *decoration_filter)

@@ -233,7 +248,8 @@ static void set_default_decoration_filter(struct decoration_filter *decoration_f
 }
 
 static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
-			 struct rev_info *rev, struct setup_revision_opt *opt)
+			 struct rev_info *rev, struct setup_revision_opt *opt,
+			 struct log_config *cfg)
 {
 	struct userformat_want w;
 	int quiet = 0, source = 0, mailmap;

@@ -258,7 +274,7 @@ static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 				N_("pattern"), N_("only decorate refs that match <pattern>")),
 		OPT_STRING_LIST(0, "decorate-refs-exclude", &decorate_refs_exclude,
 				N_("pattern"), N_("do not decorate refs that match <pattern>")),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "decorate", NULL, NULL, N_("decorate options"),
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "decorate", cfg, NULL, N_("decorate options"),
 			       PARSE_OPT_OPTARG, decorate_callback),
 		OPT_CALLBACK('L', NULL, &line_cb, "range:file",
 			     N_("trace the evolution of line range <start>,<end> or function :<funcname> in <file>"),

@@ -269,7 +285,7 @@ static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 	line_cb.rev = rev;
 	line_cb.prefix = prefix;
 
-	mailmap = use_mailmap_config;
+	mailmap = cfg->use_mailmap_config;
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix,
 			     builtin_log_options, builtin_log_usage,
 			     PARSE_OPT_KEEP_ARGV0 | PARSE_OPT_KEEP_UNKNOWN_OPT |

@@ -314,8 +330,8 @@ static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 		 * "log --pretty=raw" is special; ignore UI oriented
 		 * configuration variables such as decoration.
 		 */
-		if (!decoration_given)
-			decoration_style = 0;
+		if (!cfg->decoration_given)
+			cfg->decoration_style = 0;
 		if (!rev->abbrev_commit_given)
 			rev->abbrev_commit = 0;
 	}

@@ -326,24 +342,24 @@ static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 			 * Disable decoration loading if the format will not
 			 * show them anyway.
 			 */
-			decoration_style = 0;
-		} else if (!decoration_style) {
+			cfg->decoration_style = 0;
+		} else if (!cfg->decoration_style) {
 			/*
 			 * If we are going to show them, make sure we do load
 			 * them here, but taking care not to override a
 			 * specific style set by config or --decorate.
 			 */
-			decoration_style = DECORATE_SHORT_REFS;
+			cfg->decoration_style = DECORATE_SHORT_REFS;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (decoration_style || rev->simplify_by_decoration) {
+	if (cfg->decoration_style || rev->simplify_by_decoration) {
 		set_default_decoration_filter(&decoration_filter);
 
-		if (decoration_style)
+		if (cfg->decoration_style)
 			rev->show_decorations = 1;
 
-		load_ref_decorations(&decoration_filter, decoration_style);
+		load_ref_decorations(&decoration_filter, cfg->decoration_style);
 	}
 
 	if (rev->line_level_traverse)

@@ -353,16 +369,11 @@ static void cmd_log_init_finish(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
 }
 
 static void cmd_log_init(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix,
-			 struct rev_info *rev, struct setup_revision_opt *opt)
+			 struct rev_info *rev, struct setup_revision_opt *opt,
+			 struct log_config *cfg)
 {
-	cmd_log_init_defaults(rev);
-	cmd_log_init_finish(argc, argv, prefix, rev, opt);
-}
-
-static int cmd_log_deinit(int ret, struct rev_info *rev)
-{
-	release_revisions(rev);
-	return ret;
+	cmd_log_init_defaults(rev, cfg);
+	cmd_log_init_finish(argc, argv, prefix, rev, opt, cfg);
 }
 
 /*

@@ -566,30 +577,37 @@ static int cmd_log_walk(struct rev_info *rev)
 static int git_log_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 			  const struct config_context *ctx, void *cb)
 {
+	struct log_config *cfg = cb;
 	const char *slot_name;
 
-	if (!strcmp(var, "format.pretty"))
-		return git_config_string(&fmt_pretty, var, value);
-	if (!strcmp(var, "format.subjectprefix"))
-		return git_config_string(&fmt_patch_subject_prefix, var, value);
+	if (!strcmp(var, "format.pretty")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_pretty);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->fmt_pretty, var, value);
+	}
+	if (!strcmp(var, "format.subjectprefix")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix, var, value);
+	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.filenamemaxlength")) {
-		fmt_patch_name_max = git_config_int(var, value, ctx->kvi);
+		cfg->fmt_patch_name_max = git_config_int(var, value, ctx->kvi);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.encodeemailheaders")) {
-		default_encode_email_headers = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->default_encode_email_headers = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.abbrevcommit")) {
-		default_abbrev_commit = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->default_abbrev_commit = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
-	if (!strcmp(var, "log.date"))
-		return git_config_string(&default_date_mode, var, value);
+	if (!strcmp(var, "log.date")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->default_date_mode);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->default_date_mode, var, value);
+	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.decorate")) {
-		decoration_style = parse_decoration_style(value);
-		if (decoration_style < 0)
-			decoration_style = 0; /* maybe warn? */
+		cfg->decoration_style = parse_decoration_style(value);
+		if (cfg->decoration_style < 0)
+			cfg->decoration_style = 0; /* maybe warn? */
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.diffmerges")) {

@@ -598,21 +616,21 @@ static int git_log_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 		return diff_merges_config(value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.showroot")) {
-		default_show_root = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->default_show_root = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.follow")) {
-		default_follow = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->default_follow = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (skip_prefix(var, "color.decorate.", &slot_name))
 		return parse_decorate_color_config(var, slot_name, value);
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.mailmap")) {
-		use_mailmap_config = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->use_mailmap_config = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.showsignature")) {
-		default_show_signature = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->default_show_signature = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 

@@ -621,11 +639,14 @@ static int git_log_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 
 int cmd_whatchanged(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct log_config cfg;
 	struct rev_info rev;
 	struct setup_revision_opt opt;
+	int ret;
 
-	init_log_defaults();
-	git_config(git_log_config, NULL);
+	log_config_init(&cfg);
+	init_diff_ui_defaults();
+	git_config(git_log_config, &cfg);
 
 	repo_init_revisions(the_repository, &rev, prefix);
 	git_config(grep_config, &rev.grep_filter);

@@ -635,10 +656,15 @@ int cmd_whatchanged(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	memset(&opt, 0, sizeof(opt));
 	opt.def = "HEAD";
 	opt.revarg_opt = REVARG_COMMITTISH;
-	cmd_log_init(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt);
+	cmd_log_init(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt, &cfg);
 	if (!rev.diffopt.output_format)
 		rev.diffopt.output_format = DIFF_FORMAT_RAW;
-	return cmd_log_deinit(cmd_log_walk(&rev), &rev);
+
+	ret = cmd_log_walk(&rev);
+
+	release_revisions(&rev);
+	log_config_release(&cfg);
+	return ret;
 }
 
 static void show_tagger(const char *buf, struct rev_info *rev)

@@ -733,14 +759,16 @@ static void show_setup_revisions_tweak(struct rev_info *rev)
 
 int cmd_show(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct log_config cfg;
 	struct rev_info rev;
 	unsigned int i;
 	struct setup_revision_opt opt;
 	struct pathspec match_all;
 	int ret = 0;
 
-	init_log_defaults();
-	git_config(git_log_config, NULL);
+	log_config_init(&cfg);
+	init_diff_ui_defaults();
+	git_config(git_log_config, &cfg);
 
 	if (the_repository->gitdir) {
 		prepare_repo_settings(the_repository);

@@ -759,10 +787,14 @@ int cmd_show(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	memset(&opt, 0, sizeof(opt));
 	opt.def = "HEAD";
 	opt.tweak = show_setup_revisions_tweak;
-	cmd_log_init(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt);
+	cmd_log_init(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt, &cfg);
 
-	if (!rev.no_walk)
-		return cmd_log_deinit(cmd_log_walk(&rev), &rev);
+	if (!rev.no_walk) {
+		ret = cmd_log_walk(&rev);
+		release_revisions(&rev);
+		log_config_release(&cfg);
+		return ret;
+	}
 
 	rev.diffopt.no_free = 1;
 	for (i = 0; i < rev.pending.nr && !ret; i++) {

@@ -832,8 +864,10 @@ int cmd_show(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	rev.diffopt.no_free = 0;
 	diff_free(&rev.diffopt);
+	release_revisions(&rev);
+	log_config_release(&cfg);
 
-	return cmd_log_deinit(ret, &rev);
+	return ret;
 }
 
 /*

@@ -841,11 +875,14 @@ int cmd_show(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
  */
 int cmd_log_reflog(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct log_config cfg;
 	struct rev_info rev;
 	struct setup_revision_opt opt;
+	int ret;
 
-	init_log_defaults();
-	git_config(git_log_config, NULL);
+	log_config_init(&cfg);
+	init_diff_ui_defaults();
+	git_config(git_log_config, &cfg);
 
 	repo_init_revisions(the_repository, &rev, prefix);
 	init_reflog_walk(&rev.reflog_info);

@@ -854,14 +891,18 @@ int cmd_log_reflog(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	rev.verbose_header = 1;
 	memset(&opt, 0, sizeof(opt));
 	opt.def = "HEAD";
-	cmd_log_init_defaults(&rev);
+	cmd_log_init_defaults(&rev, &cfg);
 	rev.abbrev_commit = 1;
 	rev.commit_format = CMIT_FMT_ONELINE;
 	rev.use_terminator = 1;
 	rev.always_show_header = 1;
-	cmd_log_init_finish(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt);
+	cmd_log_init_finish(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt, &cfg);
+
+	ret = cmd_log_walk(&rev);
 
-	return cmd_log_deinit(cmd_log_walk(&rev), &rev);
+	release_revisions(&rev);
+	log_config_release(&cfg);
+	return ret;
 }
 
 static void log_setup_revisions_tweak(struct rev_info *rev)

@@ -876,11 +917,14 @@ static void log_setup_revisions_tweak(struct rev_info *rev)
 
 int cmd_log(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct log_config cfg;
 	struct rev_info rev;
 	struct setup_revision_opt opt;
+	int ret;
 
-	init_log_defaults();
-	git_config(git_log_config, NULL);
+	log_config_init(&cfg);
+	init_diff_ui_defaults();
+	git_config(git_log_config, &cfg);
 
 	repo_init_revisions(the_repository, &rev, prefix);
 	git_config(grep_config, &rev.grep_filter);

@@ -890,8 +934,13 @@ int cmd_log(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	opt.def = "HEAD";
 	opt.revarg_opt = REVARG_COMMITTISH;
 	opt.tweak = log_setup_revisions_tweak;
-	cmd_log_init(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt);
-	return cmd_log_deinit(cmd_log_walk(&rev), &rev);
+	cmd_log_init(argc, argv, prefix, &rev, &opt, &cfg);
+
+	ret = cmd_log_walk(&rev);
+
+	release_revisions(&rev);
+	log_config_release(&cfg);
+	return ret;
 }
 
 /* format-patch */

@@ -1884,6 +1933,7 @@ static void infer_range_diff_ranges(struct strbuf *r1,
 
 int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
+	struct log_config cfg;
 	struct commit *commit;
 	struct commit **list = NULL;
 	struct rev_info rev;

@@ -1943,7 +1993,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			    N_("start numbering patches at <n> instead of 1")),
 		OPT_STRING('v', "reroll-count", &reroll_count, N_("reroll-count"),
 			    N_("mark the series as Nth re-roll")),
-		OPT_INTEGER(0, "filename-max-length", &fmt_patch_name_max,
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "filename-max-length", &cfg.fmt_patch_name_max,
 			    N_("max length of output filename")),
 		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "rfc", &rfc, N_("rfc"),
 			       N_("add <rfc> (default 'RFC') before 'PATCH'"),

@@ -2017,16 +2067,17 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	extra_to.strdup_strings = 1;
 	extra_cc.strdup_strings = 1;
 
-	init_log_defaults();
+	log_config_init(&cfg);
+	init_diff_ui_defaults();
 	init_display_notes(&notes_opt);
-	git_config(git_format_config, NULL);
+	git_config(git_format_config, &cfg);
 	repo_init_revisions(the_repository, &rev, prefix);
 	git_config(grep_config, &rev.grep_filter);
 
 	rev.show_notes = show_notes;
 	memcpy(&rev.notes_opt, &notes_opt, sizeof(notes_opt));
 	rev.commit_format = CMIT_FMT_EMAIL;
-	rev.encode_email_headers = default_encode_email_headers;
+	rev.encode_email_headers = cfg.default_encode_email_headers;
 	rev.expand_tabs_in_log_default = 0;
 	rev.verbose_header = 1;
 	rev.diff = 1;

@@ -2037,7 +2088,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	s_r_opt.def = "HEAD";
 	s_r_opt.revarg_opt = REVARG_COMMITTISH;
 
-	strbuf_addstr(&sprefix, fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
+	strbuf_addstr(&sprefix, cfg.fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
 	if (format_no_prefix)
 		diff_set_noprefix(&rev.diffopt);
 

@@ -2059,8 +2110,8 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	rev.force_in_body_from = force_in_body_from;
 
 	/* Make sure "0000-$sub.patch" gives non-negative length for $sub */
-	if (fmt_patch_name_max <= strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix))
-		fmt_patch_name_max = strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix);
+	if (cfg.fmt_patch_name_max <= strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix))
+		cfg.fmt_patch_name_max = strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix);
 
 	if (cover_from_description_arg)
 		cover_from_description_mode = parse_cover_from_description(cover_from_description_arg);

@@ -2156,7 +2207,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	rev.always_show_header = 1;
 
 	rev.zero_commit = zero_commit;
-	rev.patch_name_max = fmt_patch_name_max;
+	rev.patch_name_max = cfg.fmt_patch_name_max;
 
 	if (!rev.diffopt.flags.text && !no_binary_diff)
 		rev.diffopt.flags.binary = 1;

@@ -2450,7 +2501,9 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (rev.ref_message_ids)
 		string_list_clear(rev.ref_message_ids, 0);
 	free(rev.ref_message_ids);
-	return cmd_log_deinit(0, &rev);
+	release_revisions(&rev);
+	log_config_release(&cfg);
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static int add_pending_commit(const char *arg, struct rev_info *revs, int flags)

index f5da29ee2a..890bf0c425 100644
@@ -945,36 +945,6 @@ int cmd_log(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 /* format-patch */
 
-static const char *fmt_patch_suffix = ".patch";
-static int numbered = 0;
-static int auto_number = 1;
-
-static char *default_attach = NULL;
-
-static struct string_list extra_hdr = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
-static struct string_list extra_to = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
-static struct string_list extra_cc = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
-
-static void add_header(const char *value)
-{
-	struct string_list_item *item;
-	int len = strlen(value);
-	while (len && value[len - 1] == '\n')
-		len--;
-
-	if (!strncasecmp(value, "to: ", 4)) {
-		item = string_list_append(&extra_to, value + 4);
-		len -= 4;
-	} else if (!strncasecmp(value, "cc: ", 4)) {
-		item = string_list_append(&extra_cc, value + 4);
-		len -= 4;
-	} else {
-		item = string_list_append(&extra_hdr, value);
-	}
-
-	item->string[len] = '\0';
-}
-
 enum cover_setting {
 	COVER_UNSET,
 	COVER_OFF,

@@ -1001,17 +971,61 @@ enum auto_base_setting {
 	AUTO_BASE_WHEN_ABLE
 };
 
-static enum thread_level thread;
-static int do_signoff;
-static enum auto_base_setting auto_base;
-static char *from;
-static const char *signature = git_version_string;
-static char *signature_file;
-static enum cover_setting config_cover_letter;
-static const char *config_output_directory;
-static enum cover_from_description cover_from_description_mode = COVER_FROM_MESSAGE;
-static int show_notes;
-static struct display_notes_opt notes_opt;
+struct format_config {
+	struct log_config log;
+	enum thread_level thread;
+	int do_signoff;
+	enum auto_base_setting auto_base;
+	char *base_commit;
+	char *from;
+	char *signature;
+	char *signature_file;
+	enum cover_setting config_cover_letter;
+	char *config_output_directory;
+	enum cover_from_description cover_from_description_mode;
+	int show_notes;
+	struct display_notes_opt notes_opt;
+	int numbered_cmdline_opt;
+	int numbered;
+	int auto_number;
+	char *default_attach;
+	struct string_list extra_hdr;
+	struct string_list extra_to;
+	struct string_list extra_cc;
+	int keep_subject;
+	int subject_prefix;
+	struct strbuf sprefix;
+	char *fmt_patch_suffix;
+};
+
+static void format_config_init(struct format_config *cfg)
+{
+	memset(cfg, 0, sizeof(*cfg));
+	log_config_init(&cfg->log);
+	cfg->cover_from_description_mode = COVER_FROM_MESSAGE;
+	cfg->auto_number = 1;
+	string_list_init_dup(&cfg->extra_hdr);
+	string_list_init_dup(&cfg->extra_to);
+	string_list_init_dup(&cfg->extra_cc);
+	strbuf_init(&cfg->sprefix, 0);
+	cfg->fmt_patch_suffix = xstrdup(".patch");
+}
+
+static void format_config_release(struct format_config *cfg)
+{
+	log_config_release(&cfg->log);
+	free(cfg->base_commit);
+	free(cfg->from);
+	free(cfg->signature);
+	free(cfg->signature_file);
+	free(cfg->config_output_directory);
+	free(cfg->default_attach);
+	string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_hdr, 0);
+	string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_to, 0);
+	string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_cc, 0);
+	strbuf_release(&cfg->sprefix);
+	free(cfg->fmt_patch_suffix);
+}
 
 static enum cover_from_description parse_cover_from_description(const char *arg)
 {

@@ -1029,27 +1043,51 @@ static enum cover_from_description parse_cover_from_description(const char *arg)
 		die(_("%s: invalid cover from description mode"), arg);
 }
 
+static void add_header(struct format_config *cfg, const char *value)
+{
+	struct string_list_item *item;
+	int len = strlen(value);
+	while (len && value[len - 1] == '\n')
+		len--;
+
+	if (!strncasecmp(value, "to: ", 4)) {
+		item = string_list_append(&cfg->extra_to, value + 4);
+		len -= 4;
+	} else if (!strncasecmp(value, "cc: ", 4)) {
+		item = string_list_append(&cfg->extra_cc, value + 4);
+		len -= 4;
+	} else {
+		item = string_list_append(&cfg->extra_hdr, value);
+	}
+
+	item->string[len] = '\0';
+}
+
 static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 			     const struct config_context *ctx, void *cb)
 {
+	struct format_config *cfg = cb;
+
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.headers")) {
 		if (!value)
 			die(_("format.headers without value"));
-		add_header(value);
+		add_header(cfg, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
-	if (!strcmp(var, "format.suffix"))
-		return git_config_string(&fmt_patch_suffix, var, value);
+	if (!strcmp(var, "format.suffix")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_patch_suffix);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->fmt_patch_suffix, var, value);
+	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.to")) {
 		if (!value)
 			return config_error_nonbool(var);
-		string_list_append(&extra_to, value);
+		string_list_append(&cfg->extra_to, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.cc")) {
 		if (!value)
 			return config_error_nonbool(var);
-		string_list_append(&extra_cc, value);
+		string_list_append(&cfg->extra_cc, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.color") || !strcmp(var, "color.diff") ||

@@ -1058,69 +1096,76 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.numbered")) {
 		if (value && !strcasecmp(value, "auto")) {
-			auto_number = 1;
+			cfg->auto_number = 1;
 			return 0;
 		}
-		numbered = git_config_bool(var, value);
-		auto_number = auto_number && numbered;
+		cfg->numbered = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->auto_number = cfg->auto_number && cfg->numbered;
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.attach")) {
-		if (value && *value)
-			default_attach = xstrdup(value);
-		else if (value && !*value)
-			FREE_AND_NULL(default_attach);
-		else
-			default_attach = xstrdup(git_version_string);
+		if (value && *value) {
+			FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->default_attach);
+			cfg->default_attach = xstrdup(value);
+		} else if (value && !*value) {
+			FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->default_attach);
+		} else {
+			FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->default_attach);
+			cfg->default_attach = xstrdup(git_version_string);
+		}
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.thread")) {
 		if (value && !strcasecmp(value, "deep")) {
-			thread = THREAD_DEEP;
+			cfg->thread = THREAD_DEEP;
 			return 0;
 		}
 		if (value && !strcasecmp(value, "shallow")) {
-			thread = THREAD_SHALLOW;
+			cfg->thread = THREAD_SHALLOW;
 			return 0;
 		}
-		thread = git_config_bool(var, value) ? THREAD_SHALLOW : THREAD_UNSET;
+		cfg->thread = git_config_bool(var, value) ? THREAD_SHALLOW : THREAD_UNSET;
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signoff")) {
-		do_signoff = git_config_bool(var, value);
+		cfg->do_signoff = git_config_bool(var, value);
 		return 0;
 	}
-	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signature"))
-		return git_config_string(&signature, var, value);
-	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signaturefile"))
-		return git_config_pathname(&signature_file, var, value);
+	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signature")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->signature);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->signature, var, value);
+	}
+	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signaturefile")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->signature_file);
+		return git_config_pathname(&cfg->signature_file, var, value);
+	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.coverletter")) {
 		if (value && !strcasecmp(value, "auto")) {
-			config_cover_letter = COVER_AUTO;
+			cfg->config_cover_letter = COVER_AUTO;
 			return 0;
 		}
-		config_cover_letter = git_config_bool(var, value) ? COVER_ON : COVER_OFF;
+		cfg->config_cover_letter = git_config_bool(var, value) ? COVER_ON : COVER_OFF;
 		return 0;
 	}
-	if (!strcmp(var, "format.outputdirectory"))
-		return git_config_string(&config_output_directory, var, value);
+	if (!strcmp(var, "format.outputdirectory")) {
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->config_output_directory);
+		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->config_output_directory, var, value);
+	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.useautobase")) {
 		if (value && !strcasecmp(value, "whenAble")) {
-			auto_base = AUTO_BASE_WHEN_ABLE;
+			cfg->auto_base = AUTO_BASE_WHEN_ABLE;
 			return 0;
 		}
-		auto_base = git_config_bool(var, value) ? AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS : AUTO_BASE_NEVER;
+		cfg->auto_base = git_config_bool(var, value) ? AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS : AUTO_BASE_NEVER;
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.from")) {
 		int b = git_parse_maybe_bool(value);
-		free(from);
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->from);
 		if (b < 0)
-			from = xstrdup(value);
+			cfg->from = xstrdup(value);
 		else if (b)
-			from = xstrdup(git_committer_info(IDENT_NO_DATE));
-		else
-			from = NULL;
+			cfg->from = xstrdup(git_committer_info(IDENT_NO_DATE));
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.forceinbodyfrom")) {

@@ -1130,15 +1175,15 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.notes")) {
 		int b = git_parse_maybe_bool(value);
 		if (b < 0)
-			enable_ref_display_notes(&notes_opt, &show_notes, value);
+			enable_ref_display_notes(&cfg->notes_opt, &cfg->show_notes, value);
 		else if (b)
-			enable_default_display_notes(&notes_opt, &show_notes);
+			enable_default_display_notes(&cfg->notes_opt, &cfg->show_notes);
 		else
-			disable_display_notes(&notes_opt, &show_notes);
+			disable_display_notes(&cfg->notes_opt, &cfg->show_notes);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.coverfromdescription")) {
-		cover_from_description_mode = parse_cover_from_description(value);
+		cfg->cover_from_description_mode = parse_cover_from_description(value);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.mboxrd")) {

@@ -1159,7 +1204,7 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.noprefix"))
 		return 0;
 
-	return git_log_config(var, value, ctx, cb);
+	return git_log_config(var, value, ctx, &cfg->log);
 }
 
 static const char *output_directory = NULL;

@@ -1247,7 +1292,7 @@ static void gen_message_id(struct rev_info *info, char *base)
 	info->message_id = strbuf_detach(&buf, NULL);
 }
 
-static void print_signature(FILE *file)
+static void print_signature(const char *signature, FILE *file)
 {
 	if (!signature || !*signature)
 		return;

@@ -1317,14 +1362,15 @@ static void prepare_cover_text(struct pretty_print_context *pp,
 			       const char *branch_name,
 			       struct strbuf *sb,
 			       const char *encoding,
-			       int need_8bit_cte)
+			       int need_8bit_cte,
+			       const struct format_config *cfg)
 {
 	const char *subject = "*** SUBJECT HERE ***";
 	const char *body = "*** BLURB HERE ***";
 	struct strbuf description_sb = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf subject_sb = STRBUF_INIT;
 
-	if (cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_NONE)
+	if (cfg->cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_NONE)
 		goto do_pp;
 
 	if (description_file && *description_file)

@@ -1334,13 +1380,13 @@ static void prepare_cover_text(struct pretty_print_context *pp,
 	if (!description_sb.len)
 		goto do_pp;
 
-	if (cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_SUBJECT ||
-			cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_AUTO)
+	if (cfg->cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_SUBJECT ||
+	    cfg->cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_AUTO)
 		body = format_subject(&subject_sb, description_sb.buf, " ");
 
-	if (cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_MESSAGE ||
-			(cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_AUTO &&
-			 subject_sb.len > COVER_FROM_AUTO_MAX_SUBJECT_LEN))
+	if (cfg->cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_MESSAGE ||
+	    (cfg->cover_from_description_mode == COVER_FROM_AUTO &&
+	     subject_sb.len > COVER_FROM_AUTO_MAX_SUBJECT_LEN))
 		body = description_sb.buf;
 	else
 		subject = subject_sb.buf;

@@ -1377,7 +1423,8 @@ static void make_cover_letter(struct rev_info *rev, int use_separate_file,
 			      int nr, struct commit **list,
 			      const char *description_file,
 			      const char *branch_name,
-			      int quiet)
+			      int quiet,
+			      const struct format_config *cfg)
 {
 	const char *committer;
 	struct shortlog log;

@@ -1416,7 +1463,7 @@ static void make_cover_letter(struct rev_info *rev, int use_separate_file,
 	pp.encode_email_headers = rev->encode_email_headers;
 	pp_user_info(&pp, NULL, &sb, committer, encoding);
 	prepare_cover_text(&pp, description_file, branch_name, &sb,
-			   encoding, need_8bit_cte);
+			   encoding, need_8bit_cte, cfg);
 	fprintf(rev->diffopt.file, "%s\n", sb.buf);
 
 	free(pp.after_subject);

@@ -1517,29 +1564,30 @@ static const char * const builtin_format_patch_usage[] = {
 	NULL
 };
 
-static int keep_subject = 0;
+struct keep_callback_data {
+	struct format_config *cfg;
+	struct rev_info *revs;
+};
 
 static int keep_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg, int unset)
 {
+	struct keep_callback_data *data = opt->value;
 	BUG_ON_OPT_NEG(unset);
 	BUG_ON_OPT_ARG(arg);
-	((struct rev_info *)opt->value)->total = -1;
-	keep_subject = 1;
+	data->revs->total = -1;
+	data->cfg->keep_subject = 1;
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int subject_prefix = 0;
-
 static int subject_prefix_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg,
 			    int unset)
 {
-	struct strbuf *sprefix;
+	struct format_config *cfg = opt->value;
 
 	BUG_ON_OPT_NEG(unset);
-	sprefix = opt->value;
-	subject_prefix = 1;
-	strbuf_reset(sprefix);
-	strbuf_addstr(sprefix, arg);
+	cfg->subject_prefix = 1;
+	strbuf_reset(&cfg->sprefix);
+	strbuf_addstr(&cfg->sprefix, arg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -1556,15 +1604,14 @@ static int rfc_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int numbered_cmdline_opt = 0;
-
 static int numbered_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg,
 			     int unset)
 {
+	struct format_config *cfg = opt->value;
 	BUG_ON_OPT_ARG(arg);
-	*(int *)opt->value = numbered_cmdline_opt = unset ? 0 : 1;
+	cfg->numbered = cfg->numbered_cmdline_opt = unset ? 0 : 1;
 	if (unset)
-		auto_number =  0;
+		cfg->auto_number =  0;
 	return 0;
 }
 

@@ -1588,13 +1635,14 @@ static int output_directory_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg,
 
 static int thread_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg, int unset)
 {
-	enum thread_level *thread = (enum thread_level *)opt->value;
+	struct format_config *cfg = opt->value;
+
 	if (unset)
-		*thread = THREAD_UNSET;
+		cfg->thread = THREAD_UNSET;
 	else if (!arg || !strcmp(arg, "shallow"))
-		*thread = THREAD_SHALLOW;
+		cfg->thread = THREAD_SHALLOW;
 	else if (!strcmp(arg, "deep"))
-		*thread = THREAD_DEEP;
+		cfg->thread = THREAD_DEEP;
 	/*
 	 * Please update _git_formatpatch() in git-completion.bash
 	 * when you add new options.

@@ -1630,15 +1678,17 @@ static int inline_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg, int unset)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int header_callback(const struct option *opt UNUSED, const char *arg,
+static int header_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg,
 			   int unset)
 {
+	struct format_config *cfg = opt->value;
+
 	if (unset) {
-		string_list_clear(&extra_hdr, 0);
-		string_list_clear(&extra_to, 0);
-		string_list_clear(&extra_cc, 0);
+		string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_hdr, 0);
+		string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_to, 0);
+		string_list_clear(&cfg->extra_cc, 0);
 	} else {
-		add_header(arg);
+		add_header(cfg, arg);
 	}
 	return 0;
 }

@@ -1660,17 +1710,17 @@ static int from_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg, int unset)
 
 static int base_callback(const struct option *opt, const char *arg, int unset)
 {
-	const char **base_commit = opt->value;
+	struct format_config *cfg = opt->value;
 
 	if (unset) {
-		auto_base = AUTO_BASE_NEVER;
-		*base_commit = NULL;
+		cfg->auto_base = AUTO_BASE_NEVER;
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->base_commit);
 	} else if (!strcmp(arg, "auto")) {
-		auto_base = AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS;
-		*base_commit = NULL;
+		cfg->auto_base = AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS;
+		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->base_commit);
 	} else {
-		auto_base = AUTO_BASE_NEVER;
-		*base_commit = arg;
+		cfg->auto_base = AUTO_BASE_NEVER;
+		cfg->base_commit = xstrdup(arg);
 	}
 	return 0;
 }

@@ -1681,7 +1731,7 @@ struct base_tree_info {
 	struct object_id *patch_id;
 };
 
-static struct commit *get_base_commit(const char *base_commit,
+static struct commit *get_base_commit(const struct format_config *cfg,
 				      struct commit **list,
 				      int total)
 {

@@ -1689,9 +1739,9 @@ static struct commit *get_base_commit(const char *base_commit,
 	struct commit **rev;
 	int i = 0, rev_nr = 0, auto_select, die_on_failure, ret;
 
-	switch (auto_base) {
+	switch (cfg->auto_base) {
 	case AUTO_BASE_NEVER:
-		if (base_commit) {
+		if (cfg->base_commit) {
 			auto_select = 0;
 			die_on_failure = 1;
 		} else {

@@ -1701,11 +1751,11 @@ static struct commit *get_base_commit(const char *base_commit,
 		break;
 	case AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS:
 	case AUTO_BASE_WHEN_ABLE:
-		if (base_commit) {
+		if (cfg->base_commit) {
 			BUG("requested automatic base selection but a commit was provided");
 		} else {
 			auto_select = 1;
-			die_on_failure = auto_base == AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS;
+			die_on_failure = cfg->auto_base == AUTO_BASE_ALWAYS;
 		}
 		break;
 	default:

@@ -1713,9 +1763,9 @@ static struct commit *get_base_commit(const char *base_commit,
 	}
 
 	if (!auto_select) {
-		base = lookup_commit_reference_by_name(base_commit);
+		base = lookup_commit_reference_by_name(cfg->base_commit);
 		if (!base)
-			die(_("unknown commit %s"), base_commit);
+			die(_("unknown commit %s"), cfg->base_commit);
 	} else {
 		struct branch *curr_branch = branch_get(NULL);
 		const char *upstream = branch_get_upstream(curr_branch, NULL);

@@ -1933,7 +1983,7 @@ static void infer_range_diff_ranges(struct strbuf *r1,
 
 int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 {
-	struct log_config cfg;
+	struct format_config cfg;
 	struct commit *commit;
 	struct commit **list = NULL;
 	struct rev_info rev;

@@ -1958,7 +2008,6 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	char *cover_from_description_arg = NULL;
 	char *description_file = NULL;
 	char *branch_name = NULL;
-	char *base_commit = NULL;
 	struct base_tree_info bases;
 	struct commit *base;
 	int show_progress = 0;

@@ -1969,18 +2018,24 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	struct strbuf rdiff1 = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf rdiff2 = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf rdiff_title = STRBUF_INIT;
-	struct strbuf sprefix = STRBUF_INIT;
 	const char *rfc = NULL;
 	int creation_factor = -1;
+	const char *signature = git_version_string;
+	const char *signature_file_arg = NULL;
+	struct keep_callback_data keep_callback_data = {
+		.cfg = &cfg,
+		.revs = &rev,
+	};
+	const char *fmt_patch_suffix = NULL;
 
 	const struct option builtin_format_patch_options[] = {
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F('n', "numbered", &numbered, NULL,
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F('n', "numbered", &cfg, NULL,
 			    N_("use [PATCH n/m] even with a single patch"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_NOARG, numbered_callback),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F('N', "no-numbered", &numbered, NULL,
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F('N', "no-numbered", &cfg, NULL,
 			    N_("use [PATCH] even with multiple patches"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_NOARG | PARSE_OPT_NONEG, no_numbered_callback),
-		OPT_BOOL('s', "signoff", &do_signoff, N_("add a Signed-off-by trailer")),
+		OPT_BOOL('s', "signoff", &cfg.do_signoff, N_("add a Signed-off-by trailer")),
 		OPT_BOOL(0, "stdout", &use_stdout,
 			    N_("print patches to standard out")),
 		OPT_BOOL(0, "cover-letter", &cover_letter,

@@ -1993,7 +2048,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			    N_("start numbering patches at <n> instead of 1")),
 		OPT_STRING('v', "reroll-count", &reroll_count, N_("reroll-count"),
 			    N_("mark the series as Nth re-roll")),
-		OPT_INTEGER(0, "filename-max-length", &cfg.fmt_patch_name_max,
+		OPT_INTEGER(0, "filename-max-length", &cfg.log.fmt_patch_name_max,
 			    N_("max length of output filename")),
 		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "rfc", &rfc, N_("rfc"),
 			       N_("add <rfc> (default 'RFC') before 'PATCH'"),

@@ -2003,13 +2058,13 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			    N_("generate parts of a cover letter based on a branch's description")),
 		OPT_FILENAME(0, "description-file", &description_file,
 			     N_("use branch description from file")),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "subject-prefix", &sprefix, N_("prefix"),
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "subject-prefix", &cfg, N_("prefix"),
 			    N_("use [<prefix>] instead of [PATCH]"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_NONEG, subject_prefix_callback),
 		OPT_CALLBACK_F('o', "output-directory", &output_directory,
 			    N_("dir"), N_("store resulting files in <dir>"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_NONEG, output_directory_callback),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F('k', "keep-subject", &rev, NULL,
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F('k', "keep-subject", &keep_callback_data, NULL,
 			    N_("don't strip/add [PATCH]"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_NOARG | PARSE_OPT_NONEG, keep_callback),
 		OPT_BOOL(0, "no-binary", &no_binary_diff,

@@ -2022,11 +2077,11 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			      N_("show patch format instead of default (patch + stat)"),
 			      1, PARSE_OPT_NONEG),
 		OPT_GROUP(N_("Messaging")),
-		OPT_CALLBACK(0, "add-header", NULL, N_("header"),
+		OPT_CALLBACK(0, "add-header", &cfg, N_("header"),
 			    N_("add email header"), header_callback),
-		OPT_STRING_LIST(0, "to", &extra_to, N_("email"), N_("add To: header")),
-		OPT_STRING_LIST(0, "cc", &extra_cc, N_("email"), N_("add Cc: header")),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "from", &from, N_("ident"),
+		OPT_STRING_LIST(0, "to", &cfg.extra_to, N_("email"), N_("add To: header")),
+		OPT_STRING_LIST(0, "cc", &cfg.extra_cc, N_("email"), N_("add Cc: header")),
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "from", &cfg.from, N_("ident"),
 			    N_("set From address to <ident> (or committer ident if absent)"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_OPTARG, from_callback),
 		OPT_STRING(0, "in-reply-to", &in_reply_to, N_("message-id"),

@@ -2038,15 +2093,15 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 			    N_("inline the patch"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_OPTARG | PARSE_OPT_NONEG,
 			    inline_callback),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "thread", &thread, N_("style"),
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "thread", &cfg, N_("style"),
 			    N_("enable message threading, styles: shallow, deep"),
 			    PARSE_OPT_OPTARG, thread_callback),
 		OPT_STRING(0, "signature", &signature, N_("signature"),
 			    N_("add a signature")),
-		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "base", &base_commit, N_("base-commit"),
+		OPT_CALLBACK_F(0, "base", &cfg, N_("base-commit"),
 			       N_("add prerequisite tree info to the patch series"),
 			       0, base_callback),
-		OPT_FILENAME(0, "signature-file", &signature_file,
+		OPT_FILENAME(0, "signature-file", &signature_file_arg,
 				N_("add a signature from a file")),
 		OPT__QUIET(&quiet, N_("don't print the patch filenames")),
 		OPT_BOOL(0, "progress", &show_progress,

@@ -2063,21 +2118,17 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		OPT_END()
 	};
 
-	extra_hdr.strdup_strings = 1;
-	extra_to.strdup_strings = 1;
-	extra_cc.strdup_strings = 1;
-
-	log_config_init(&cfg);
+	format_config_init(&cfg);
 	init_diff_ui_defaults();
-	init_display_notes(&notes_opt);
+	init_display_notes(&cfg.notes_opt);
 	git_config(git_format_config, &cfg);
 	repo_init_revisions(the_repository, &rev, prefix);
 	git_config(grep_config, &rev.grep_filter);
 
-	rev.show_notes = show_notes;
-	memcpy(&rev.notes_opt, &notes_opt, sizeof(notes_opt));
+	rev.show_notes = cfg.show_notes;
+	memcpy(&rev.notes_opt, &cfg.notes_opt, sizeof(cfg.notes_opt));
 	rev.commit_format = CMIT_FMT_EMAIL;
-	rev.encode_email_headers = cfg.default_encode_email_headers;
+	rev.encode_email_headers = cfg.log.default_encode_email_headers;
 	rev.expand_tabs_in_log_default = 0;
 	rev.verbose_header = 1;
 	rev.diff = 1;

@@ -2088,12 +2139,12 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	s_r_opt.def = "HEAD";
 	s_r_opt.revarg_opt = REVARG_COMMITTISH;
 
-	strbuf_addstr(&sprefix, cfg.fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
+	strbuf_addstr(&cfg.sprefix, cfg.log.fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
 	if (format_no_prefix)
 		diff_set_noprefix(&rev.diffopt);
 
-	if (default_attach) {
-		rev.mime_boundary = default_attach;
+	if (cfg.default_attach) {
+		rev.mime_boundary = cfg.default_attach;
 		rev.no_inline = 1;
 	}
 

@@ -2109,60 +2160,63 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	rev.force_in_body_from = force_in_body_from;
 
+	if (!fmt_patch_suffix)
+		fmt_patch_suffix = cfg.fmt_patch_suffix;
+
 	/* Make sure "0000-$sub.patch" gives non-negative length for $sub */
-	if (cfg.fmt_patch_name_max <= strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix))
-		cfg.fmt_patch_name_max = strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix);
+	if (cfg.log.fmt_patch_name_max <= strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix))
+		cfg.log.fmt_patch_name_max = strlen("0000-") + strlen(fmt_patch_suffix);
 
 	if (cover_from_description_arg)
-		cover_from_description_mode = parse_cover_from_description(cover_from_description_arg);
+		cfg.cover_from_description_mode = parse_cover_from_description(cover_from_description_arg);
 
 	if (rfc && rfc[0]) {
-		subject_prefix = 1;
+		cfg.subject_prefix = 1;
 		if (rfc[0] == '-')
-			strbuf_addf(&sprefix, " %s", rfc + 1);
+			strbuf_addf(&cfg.sprefix, " %s", rfc + 1);
 		else
-			strbuf_insertf(&sprefix, 0, "%s ", rfc);
+			strbuf_insertf(&cfg.sprefix, 0, "%s ", rfc);
 	}
 
 	if (reroll_count) {
-		strbuf_addf(&sprefix, " v%s", reroll_count);
+		strbuf_addf(&cfg.sprefix, " v%s", reroll_count);
 		rev.reroll_count = reroll_count;
 	}
 
-	rev.subject_prefix = sprefix.buf;
+	rev.subject_prefix = cfg.sprefix.buf;
 
-	for (i = 0; i < extra_hdr.nr; i++) {
-		strbuf_addstr(&buf, extra_hdr.items[i].string);
+	for (i = 0; i < cfg.extra_hdr.nr; i++) {
+		strbuf_addstr(&buf, cfg.extra_hdr.items[i].string);
 		strbuf_addch(&buf, '\n');
 	}
 
-	if (extra_to.nr)
+	if (cfg.extra_to.nr)
 		strbuf_addstr(&buf, "To: ");
-	for (i = 0; i < extra_to.nr; i++) {
+	for (i = 0; i < cfg.extra_to.nr; i++) {
 		if (i)
 			strbuf_addstr(&buf, "    ");
-		strbuf_addstr(&buf, extra_to.items[i].string);
-		if (i + 1 < extra_to.nr)
+		strbuf_addstr(&buf, cfg.extra_to.items[i].string);
+		if (i + 1 < cfg.extra_to.nr)
 			strbuf_addch(&buf, ',');
 		strbuf_addch(&buf, '\n');
 	}
 
-	if (extra_cc.nr)
+	if (cfg.extra_cc.nr)
 		strbuf_addstr(&buf, "Cc: ");
-	for (i = 0; i < extra_cc.nr; i++) {
+	for (i = 0; i < cfg.extra_cc.nr; i++) {
 		if (i)
 			strbuf_addstr(&buf, "    ");
-		strbuf_addstr(&buf, extra_cc.items[i].string);
-		if (i + 1 < extra_cc.nr)
+		strbuf_addstr(&buf, cfg.extra_cc.items[i].string);
+		if (i + 1 < cfg.extra_cc.nr)
 			strbuf_addch(&buf, ',');
 		strbuf_addch(&buf, '\n');
 	}
 
 	rev.extra_headers = to_free = strbuf_detach(&buf, NULL);
 
-	if (from) {
-		if (split_ident_line(&rev.from_ident, from, strlen(from)))
-			die(_("invalid ident line: %s"), from);
+	if (cfg.from) {
+		if (split_ident_line(&rev.from_ident, cfg.from, strlen(cfg.from)))
+			die(_("invalid ident line: %s"), cfg.from);
 	}
 
 	if (start_number < 0)

@@ -2173,14 +2227,14 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	 * and it would conflict with --keep-subject (-k) from the
 	 * command line, reset "numbered".
 	 */
-	if (numbered && keep_subject && !numbered_cmdline_opt)
-		numbered = 0;
+	if (cfg.numbered && cfg.keep_subject && !cfg.numbered_cmdline_opt)
+		cfg.numbered = 0;
 
-	if (numbered && keep_subject)
+	if (cfg.numbered && cfg.keep_subject)
 		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "-n", "-k");
-	if (keep_subject && subject_prefix)
+	if (cfg.keep_subject && cfg.subject_prefix)
 		die(_("options '%s' and '%s' cannot be used together"), "--subject-prefix/--rfc", "-k");
-	rev.preserve_subject = keep_subject;
+	rev.preserve_subject = cfg.keep_subject;
 
 	argc = setup_revisions(argc, argv, &rev, &s_r_opt);
 	if (argc > 1)

@@ -2207,7 +2261,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	rev.always_show_header = 1;
 
 	rev.zero_commit = zero_commit;
-	rev.patch_name_max = cfg.fmt_patch_name_max;
+	rev.patch_name_max = cfg.log.fmt_patch_name_max;
 
 	if (!rev.diffopt.flags.text && !no_binary_diff)
 		rev.diffopt.flags.binary = 1;

@@ -2228,7 +2282,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		int saved;
 
 		if (!output_directory)
-			output_directory = config_output_directory;
+			output_directory = cfg.config_output_directory;
 		output_directory = set_outdir(prefix, output_directory);
 
 		if (rev.diffopt.use_color != GIT_COLOR_ALWAYS)

@@ -2326,14 +2380,14 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		goto done;
 	total = nr;
 	if (cover_letter == -1) {
-		if (config_cover_letter == COVER_AUTO)
+		if (cfg.config_cover_letter == COVER_AUTO)
 			cover_letter = (total > 1);
 		else
-			cover_letter = (config_cover_letter == COVER_ON);
+			cover_letter = (cfg.config_cover_letter == COVER_ON);
 	}
-	if (!keep_subject && auto_number && (total > 1 || cover_letter))
-		numbered = 1;
-	if (numbered)
+	if (!cfg.keep_subject && cfg.auto_number && (total > 1 || cover_letter))
+		cfg.numbered = 1;
+	if (cfg.numbered)
 		rev.total = total + start_number - 1;
 
 	if (idiff_prev.nr) {

@@ -2365,27 +2419,40 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 					     _("Range-diff against v%d:"));
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * The order of precedence is:
+	 *
+	 *   1. The `--signature` and `--no-signature` options.
+	 *   2. The `--signature-file` option.
+	 *   3. The `format.signature` config.
+	 *   4. The `format.signatureFile` config.
+	 *   5. Default `git_version_string`.
+	 */
 	if (!signature) {
 		; /* --no-signature inhibits all signatures */
 	} else if (signature && signature != git_version_string) {
 		; /* non-default signature already set */
-	} else if (signature_file) {
+	} else if (signature_file_arg || (cfg.signature_file && !cfg.signature)) {
 		struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
+		const char *signature_file = signature_file_arg ?
+			signature_file_arg : cfg.signature_file;
 
 		if (strbuf_read_file(&buf, signature_file, 128) < 0)
 			die_errno(_("unable to read signature file '%s'"), signature_file);
 		signature = strbuf_detach(&buf, NULL);
+	} else if (cfg.signature) {
+		signature = cfg.signature;
 	}
 
 	memset(&bases, 0, sizeof(bases));
-	base = get_base_commit(base_commit, list, nr);
+	base = get_base_commit(&cfg, list, nr);
 	if (base) {
 		reset_revision_walk();
 		clear_object_flags(UNINTERESTING);
 		prepare_bases(&bases, base, list, nr);
 	}
 
-	if (in_reply_to || thread || cover_letter) {
+	if (in_reply_to || cfg.thread || cover_letter) {
 		rev.ref_message_ids = xmalloc(sizeof(*rev.ref_message_ids));
 		string_list_init_dup(rev.ref_message_ids);
 	}

@@ -2396,19 +2463,19 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	rev.numbered_files = just_numbers;
 	rev.patch_suffix = fmt_patch_suffix;
 	if (cover_letter) {
-		if (thread)
+		if (cfg.thread)
 			gen_message_id(&rev, "cover");
 		make_cover_letter(&rev, !!output_directory,
-				  origin, nr, list, description_file, branch_name, quiet);
+				  origin, nr, list, description_file, branch_name, quiet, &cfg);
 		print_bases(&bases, rev.diffopt.file);
-		print_signature(rev.diffopt.file);
+		print_signature(signature, rev.diffopt.file);
 		total++;
 		start_number--;
 		/* interdiff/range-diff in cover-letter; omit from patches */
 		rev.idiff_oid1 = NULL;
 		rev.rdiff1 = NULL;
 	}
-	rev.add_signoff = do_signoff;
+	rev.add_signoff = cfg.do_signoff;
 
 	if (show_progress)
 		progress = start_delayed_progress(_("Generating patches"), total);

@@ -2418,7 +2485,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		commit = list[nr];
 		rev.nr = total - nr + (start_number - 1);
 		/* Make the second and subsequent mails replies to the first */
-		if (thread) {
+		if (cfg.thread) {
 			/* Have we already had a message ID? */
 			if (rev.message_id) {
 				/*

@@ -2442,7 +2509,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				 * letter is a reply to the
 				 * --in-reply-to, if specified.
 				 */
-				if (thread == THREAD_SHALLOW
+				if (cfg.thread == THREAD_SHALLOW
 				    && rev.ref_message_ids->nr > 0
 				    && (!cover_letter || rev.nr > 1))
 					free(rev.message_id);

@@ -2475,7 +2542,7 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 				       mime_boundary_leader,
 				       rev.mime_boundary);
 			else
-				print_signature(rev.diffopt.file);
+				print_signature(signature, rev.diffopt.file);
 		}
 		if (output_directory)
 			fclose(rev.diffopt.file);

@@ -2483,9 +2550,6 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	stop_progress(&progress);
 	free(list);
 	free(branch_name);
-	string_list_clear(&extra_to, 0);
-	string_list_clear(&extra_cc, 0);
-	string_list_clear(&extra_hdr, 0);
 	if (ignore_if_in_upstream)
 		free_patch_ids(&ids);
 

@@ -2495,14 +2559,13 @@ int cmd_format_patch(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	strbuf_release(&rdiff1);
 	strbuf_release(&rdiff2);
 	strbuf_release(&rdiff_title);
-	strbuf_release(&sprefix);
 	free(to_free);
 	free(rev.message_id);
 	if (rev.ref_message_ids)
 		string_list_clear(rev.ref_message_ids, 0);
 	free(rev.ref_message_ids);
 	release_revisions(&rev);
-	log_config_release(&cfg);
+	format_config_release(&cfg);
 	return 0;
 }
 

index 5a238f2e30..269892c356 100644
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ static int config_alias_cb(const char *key, const char *value,
 
 	if (data->alias) {
 		if (!strcasecmp(p, data->alias))
-			return git_config_string((const char **)&data->v,
+			return git_config_string(&data->v,
 						 key, value);
 	} else if (data->list) {
 		string_list_append(data->list, p);

index 33473bdce0..5607db2bbe 100644
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 #include "tree-walk.h"
 #include "object-name.h"
 
-const char *git_attr_tree;
+char *git_attr_tree;
 
 const char git_attr__true[] = "(builtin)true";
 const char git_attr__false[] = "\0(builtin)false";

index 127998ae01..e7cc318b0c 100644
@@ -236,6 +236,6 @@ const char *git_attr_global_file(void);
 /* Return whether the system gitattributes file is enabled and should be used. */
 int git_attr_system_is_enabled(void);
 
-extern const char *git_attr_tree;
+extern char *git_attr_tree;
 
 #endif /* ATTR_H */

index 1cc88e92bf..f53e7e86ff 100644
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ static struct strvec trailer_args = STRVEC_INIT;
  * is specified explicitly.
  */
 static enum commit_msg_cleanup_mode cleanup_mode;
-static const char *cleanup_arg;
+static char *cleanup_arg;
 
 static enum commit_whence whence;
 static int use_editor = 1, include_status = 1;

index 890bf0c425..517d7982f1 100644
@@ -582,11 +582,11 @@ static int git_log_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.pretty")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_pretty);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->fmt_pretty, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&cfg->fmt_pretty, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.subjectprefix")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&cfg->fmt_patch_subject_prefix, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.filenamemaxlength")) {
 		cfg->fmt_patch_name_max = git_config_int(var, value, ctx->kvi);

@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ static int git_log_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.date")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->default_date_mode);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->default_date_mode, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&cfg->default_date_mode, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "log.decorate")) {
 		cfg->decoration_style = parse_decoration_style(value);

@@ -1076,7 +1076,7 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.suffix")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->fmt_patch_suffix);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->fmt_patch_suffix, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&cfg->fmt_patch_suffix, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.to")) {
 		if (!value)

@@ -1133,7 +1133,7 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signature")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->signature);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->signature, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&cfg->signature, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.signaturefile")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->signature_file);

@@ -1149,7 +1149,7 @@ static int git_format_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.outputdirectory")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(cfg->config_output_directory);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &cfg->config_output_directory, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&cfg->config_output_directory, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "format.useautobase")) {
 		if (value && !strcasecmp(value, "whenAble")) {

index e4bd65eeba..daed2d4e1e 100644
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ static struct strategy all_strategy[] = {
 	{ "subtree",    NO_FAST_FORWARD | NO_TRIVIAL },
 };
 
-static const char *pull_twohead, *pull_octopus;
+static char *pull_twohead, *pull_octopus;
 
 enum ff_type {
 	FF_NO,

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ enum ff_type {
 
 static enum ff_type fast_forward = FF_ALLOW;
 
-static const char *cleanup_arg;
+static char *cleanup_arg;
 static enum commit_msg_cleanup_mode cleanup_mode;
 
 static int option_parse_message(const struct option *opt,

index 0466d9414a..14d4f0a5e6 100644
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ static const char *action_names[] = {
 struct rebase_options {
 	enum rebase_type type;
 	enum empty_type empty;
-	const char *default_backend;
+	char *default_backend;
 	const char *state_dir;
 	struct commit *upstream;
 	const char *upstream_name;

index 56228ad314..01c1f04ece 100644
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ static struct strbuf push_cert = STRBUF_INIT;
 static struct object_id push_cert_oid;
 static struct signature_check sigcheck;
 static const char *push_cert_nonce;
-static const char *cert_nonce_seed;
+static char *cert_nonce_seed;
 static struct strvec hidden_refs = STRVEC_INIT;
 
 static const char *NONCE_UNSOLICITED = "UNSOLICITED";

index 43491a4cbf..e40dceaada 100644
@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@ static const char incremental_bitmap_conflict_error[] = N_(
 );
 
 struct pack_objects_args {
-	const char *window;
-	const char *window_memory;
-	const char *depth;
-	const char *threads;
+	char *window;
+	char *window_memory;
+	char *depth;
+	char *threads;
 	unsigned long max_pack_size;
 	int no_reuse_delta;
 	int no_reuse_object;

index f9101045ee..a025cfafe0 100644
@@ -1338,7 +1338,7 @@ int git_config_bool(const char *name, const char *value)
 	return v;
 }
 
-int git_config_string(const char **dest, const char *var, const char *value)
+int git_config_string(char **dest, const char *var, const char *value)
 {
 	if (!value)
 		return config_error_nonbool(var);

@@ -2418,7 +2418,7 @@ int git_configset_get_string(struct config_set *set, const char *key, char **des
 {
 	const char *value;
 	if (!git_configset_get_value(set, key, &value, NULL))
-		return git_config_string((const char **)dest, key, value);
+		return git_config_string(dest, key, value);
 	else
 		return 1;
 }

index b3103bba94..2d2e22ed64 100644
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ int git_config_bool(const char *, const char *);
  * Allocates and copies the value string into the `dest` parameter; if no
  * string is given, prints an error message and returns -1.
  */
-int git_config_string(const char **, const char *, const char *);
+int git_config_string(char **, const char *, const char *);
 
 /**
  * Similar to `git_config_string`, but expands `~` or `~user` into the

index 03c3c528f9..f2b9f01354 100644
@@ -981,9 +981,9 @@ int async_query_available_blobs(const char *cmd, struct string_list *available_p
 static struct convert_driver {
 	const char *name;
 	struct convert_driver *next;
-	const char *smudge;
-	const char *clean;
-	const char *process;
+	char *smudge;
+	char *clean;
+	char *process;
 	int required;
 } *user_convert, **user_convert_tail;
 

index 4ac3c10551..89d51b72e3 100644
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ struct island_load_data {
 	size_t nr;
 	size_t alloc;
 };
-static const char *core_island_name;
+static char *core_island_name;
 
 static void free_config_regexes(struct island_load_data *ild)
 {

index 679ef472f4..e70301df76 100644
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ static int diff_color_moved_default;
 static int diff_color_moved_ws_default;
 static int diff_context_default = 3;
 static int diff_interhunk_context_default;
-static const char *diff_word_regex_cfg;
-static const char *external_diff_cmd_cfg;
+static char *diff_word_regex_cfg;
+static char *external_diff_cmd_cfg;
 static char *diff_order_file_cfg;
 int diff_auto_refresh_index = 1;
 static int diff_mnemonic_prefix;

@@ -412,11 +412,11 @@ int git_diff_ui_config(const char *var, const char *value,
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.srcprefix")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(diff_src_prefix);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &diff_src_prefix, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&diff_src_prefix, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.dstprefix")) {
 		FREE_AND_NULL(diff_dst_prefix);
-		return git_config_string((const char **) &diff_dst_prefix, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&diff_dst_prefix, var, value);
 	}
 	if (!strcmp(var, "diff.relative")) {
 		diff_relative = git_config_bool(var, value);

index ab6956559e..701d515135 100644
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ int is_bare_repository_cfg = -1; /* unspecified */
 int warn_ambiguous_refs = 1;
 int warn_on_object_refname_ambiguity = 1;
 int repository_format_precious_objects;
-const char *git_commit_encoding;
-const char *git_log_output_encoding;
+char *git_commit_encoding;
+char *git_log_output_encoding;
 char *apply_default_whitespace;
 char *apply_default_ignorewhitespace;
 char *git_attributes_file;

@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ size_t packed_git_window_size = DEFAULT_PACKED_GIT_WINDOW_SIZE;
 size_t packed_git_limit = DEFAULT_PACKED_GIT_LIMIT;
 size_t delta_base_cache_limit = 96 * 1024 * 1024;
 unsigned long big_file_threshold = 512 * 1024 * 1024;
-const char *editor_program;
-const char *askpass_program;
+char *editor_program;
+char *askpass_program;
 char *excludes_file;
 enum auto_crlf auto_crlf = AUTO_CRLF_FALSE;
 enum eol core_eol = EOL_UNSET;

index be1b88ad6f..e9f01d4d11 100644
@@ -224,11 +224,11 @@ int odb_pack_keep(const char *name);
 const char *get_log_output_encoding(void);
 const char *get_commit_output_encoding(void);
 
-extern const char *git_commit_encoding;
-extern const char *git_log_output_encoding;
+extern char *git_commit_encoding;
+extern char *git_log_output_encoding;
 
-extern const char *editor_program;
-extern const char *askpass_program;
+extern char *editor_program;
+extern char *askpass_program;
 extern char *excludes_file;
 
 /*

index 2b50ed0fa0..5193223714 100644
@@ -27,14 +27,14 @@ static void gpg_interface_lazy_init(void)
 }
 
 static char *configured_signing_key;
-static const char *ssh_default_key_command;
+static char *ssh_default_key_command;
 static char *ssh_allowed_signers;
 static char *ssh_revocation_file;
 static enum signature_trust_level configured_min_trust_level = TRUST_UNDEFINED;
 
 struct gpg_format {
 	const char *name;
-	const char *program;
+	char *program;
 	const char **verify_args;
 	const char **sigs;
 	int (*verify_signed_buffer)(struct signature_check *sigc,

index fa3ea87451..67cc47d28f 100644
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ char curl_errorstr[CURL_ERROR_SIZE];
 
 static int curl_ssl_verify = -1;
 static int curl_ssl_try;
-static const char *curl_http_version = NULL;
+static char *curl_http_version;
 static char *ssl_cert;
 static char *ssl_cert_type;
-static const char *ssl_cipherlist;
-static const char *ssl_version;
+static char *ssl_cipherlist;
+static char *ssl_version;
 static struct {
 	const char *name;
 	long ssl_version;

@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ static struct {
 	 */
 };
 #ifdef CURLGSSAPI_DELEGATION_FLAG
-static const char *curl_deleg;
+static char *curl_deleg;
 static struct {
 	const char *name;
 	long curl_deleg_param;

@@ -383,11 +383,11 @@ static int http_options(const char *var, const char *value,
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcert", var))
 		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_cert, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcerttype", var))
-		return git_config_string((const char **)&ssl_cert_type, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&ssl_cert_type, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslkey", var))
 		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_key, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslkeytype", var))
-		return git_config_string((const char **)&ssl_key_type, var, value);
+		return git_config_string(&ssl_key_type, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcapath", var))
 		return git_config_pathname(&ssl_capath, var, value);
 	if (!strcmp("http.sslcainfo", var))