diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/reference/mod.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/reference/mod.rs
index 9bbb33425..e54d68e9b 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/reference/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/reference/mod.rs
@@ -1,57 +1,2 @@
 mod refname;
 pub use refname::{LocalRefname, Refname, RemoteRefname, VirtualRefname};
-
-use super::{Oid, Result};
-
-pub struct Reference<'repo> {
-    reference: git2::Reference<'repo>,
-}
-
-impl<'repo> From<git2::Reference<'repo>> for Reference<'repo> {
-    fn from(reference: git2::Reference<'repo>) -> Self {
-        Reference { reference }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<'repo> Reference<'repo> {
-    pub fn name(&self) -> Option<Refname> {
-        self.reference
-            .name()
-            .map(|name| name.parse().expect("libgit2 provides valid refnames"))
-    }
-
-    pub fn name_bytes(&self) -> &[u8] {
-        self.reference.name_bytes()
-    }
-
-    pub fn target(&self) -> Option<Oid> {
-        self.reference.target().map(Into::into)
-    }
-
-    pub fn peel_to_commit(&self) -> Result<git2::Commit<'repo>> {
-        self.reference
-            .peel_to_commit()
-            .map(Into::into)
-            .map_err(Into::into)
-    }
-
-    pub fn rename(
-        &mut self,
-        new_name: &Refname,
-        force: bool,
-        log_message: &str,
-    ) -> Result<Reference<'repo>> {
-        self.reference
-            .rename(&new_name.to_string(), force, log_message)
-            .map(Into::into)
-            .map_err(Into::into)
-    }
-
-    pub fn delete(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
-        self.reference.delete().map_err(Into::into)
-    }
-
-    pub fn is_remote(&self) -> bool {
-        self.reference.is_remote()
-    }
-}
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/repository.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/repository.rs
index f5acf12e4..874cff214 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/repository.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/git/repository.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{Oid, Reference, Refname, Result, Url};
+use super::{Oid, Refname, Result, Url};
 use git2::{BlameOptions, Submodule};
 use git2_hooks::HookResult;
 #[cfg(unix)]
@@ -140,15 +140,12 @@ impl Repository {
             .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
-    pub fn find_reference(&self, name: &Refname) -> Result<Reference> {
-        self.0
-            .find_reference(&name.to_string())
-            .map(Reference::from)
-            .map_err(Into::into)
+    pub fn find_reference(&self, name: &Refname) -> Result<git2::Reference> {
+        self.0.find_reference(&name.to_string()).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
-    pub fn head(&self) -> Result<Reference> {
-        self.0.head().map(Reference::from).map_err(Into::into)
+    pub fn head(&self) -> Result<git2::Reference> {
+        self.0.head().map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub fn find_tree(&self, id: Oid) -> Result<git2::Tree> {
@@ -489,7 +486,7 @@ impl Repository {
         id: Oid,
         force: bool,
         log_message: &str,
-    ) -> Result<Reference> {
+    ) -> Result<git2::Reference> {
         self.0
             .reference(&name.to_string(), id.into(), force, log_message)
             .map(Into::into)
@@ -500,14 +497,17 @@ impl Repository {
         self.0.remote(name, &url.to_string()).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
-    pub fn references(&self) -> Result<impl Iterator<Item = Result<Reference>>> {
+    pub fn references(&self) -> Result<impl Iterator<Item = Result<git2::Reference>>> {
         self.0
             .references()
             .map(|iter| iter.map(|reference| reference.map(Into::into).map_err(Into::into)))
             .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
-    pub fn references_glob(&self, glob: &str) -> Result<impl Iterator<Item = Result<Reference>>> {
+    pub fn references_glob(
+        &self,
+        glob: &str,
+    ) -> Result<impl Iterator<Item = Result<git2::Reference>>> {
         self.0
             .references_glob(glob)
             .map(|iter| iter.map(|reference| reference.map(Into::into).map_err(Into::into)))
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/project_repository/repository.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/project_repository/repository.rs
index 265074b9c..b8026fe83 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/project_repository/repository.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/project_repository/repository.rs
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ impl Repository {
         Ok(head)
     }
 
-    pub fn get_head(&self) -> Result<git::Reference, git::Error> {
+    pub fn get_head(&self) -> Result<git2::Reference, git::Error> {
         let head = self.git_repository.head()?;
         Ok(head)
     }
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ impl Repository {
         let (should_write, with_force) =
             match self.git_repository.find_reference(&branch.refname().into()) {
                 Ok(reference) => match reference.target() {
-                    Some(head_oid) => Ok((head_oid != branch.head, true)),
+                    Some(head_oid) => Ok((head_oid != branch.head.into(), true)),
                     None => Ok((true, true)),
                 },
                 Err(git::Error::NotFound(_)) => Ok((true, false)),
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/synchronize/mod.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/synchronize/mod.rs
index 03105a2d7..314fea6c4 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/synchronize/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/synchronize/mod.rs
@@ -139,7 +139,10 @@ fn collect_refs(
         .git_repository
         .references_glob("refs/*")?
         .flatten()
-        .filter_map(|r| r.name())
+        .filter_map(|r| {
+            r.name()
+                .map(|name| name.parse().expect("libgit2 provides valid refnames"))
+        })
         .collect::<Vec<_>>())
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/base.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/base.rs
index bb507c37d..99b30f0ff 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/base.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/base.rs
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ pub fn set_base_branch(
     // TODO: make sure this is a real branch
     let head_name: git::Refname = current_head
         .name()
+        .map(|name| name.parse().expect("libgit2 provides valid refnames"))
         .context("Failed to get HEAD reference name")?;
     if !head_name
         .to_string()
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs
index d4492a0b1..67e34b120 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs
@@ -304,10 +304,8 @@ pub fn verify_branch(project_repository: &project_repository::Repository) -> Res
 impl project_repository::Repository {
     fn verify_head_is_set(&self) -> Result<&Self> {
         match self.get_head().context("failed to get head")?.name() {
-            Some(refname) if refname.to_string() == GITBUTLER_INTEGRATION_REFERENCE.to_string() => {
-                Ok(self)
-            }
-            Some(head_name) => Err(invalid_head_err(&head_name.to_string())),
+            Some(refname) if *refname == GITBUTLER_INTEGRATION_REFERENCE.to_string() => Ok(self),
+            Some(head_name) => Err(invalid_head_err(head_name)),
             None => Err(anyhow!(
                 "project in detached head state. Please checkout {} to continue",
                 GITBUTLER_INTEGRATION_REFERENCE.branch()
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs
index 18df0626a..d0ec8a236 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ fn commit_id_can_be_generated_or_specified() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     let target = project_repository
         .git_repository
-        .find_commit(target_oid)
+        .find_commit(target_oid.into())
         .unwrap();
     let change_id = target.change_id();
 
@@ -714,9 +714,10 @@ fn commit_id_can_be_generated_or_specified() -> Result<()> {
     let oid = index.write_tree().expect("failed to write tree");
     let signature = git2::Signature::now("test", "test@email.com").unwrap();
     let head = repository.head().expect("failed to get head");
+    let refname: git::Refname = head.name().unwrap().parse().unwrap();
     repository
         .commit(
-            Some(&head.name().unwrap()),
+            Some(&refname),
             &signature,
             &signature,
             "some commit",
@@ -742,7 +743,7 @@ fn commit_id_can_be_generated_or_specified() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     let target = project_repository
         .git_repository
-        .find_commit(target_oid)
+        .find_commit(target_oid.into())
         .unwrap();
     let change_id = target.change_id();
 
@@ -804,7 +805,7 @@ fn merge_vbranch_upstream_clean_rebase() -> Result<()> {
     //update repo ref refs/remotes/origin/master to up_target oid
     project_repository.git_repository.reference(
         &"refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
-        coworker_work,
+        coworker_work.into(),
         true,
         "update target",
     )?;
@@ -820,7 +821,7 @@ fn merge_vbranch_upstream_clean_rebase() -> Result<()> {
     vb_state.set_default_target(virtual_branches::target::Target {
         branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
         remote_url: "origin".to_string(),
-        sha: target_oid,
+        sha: target_oid.into(),
         push_remote_name: None,
     })?;
 
@@ -835,7 +836,7 @@ fn merge_vbranch_upstream_clean_rebase() -> Result<()> {
     let mut branch = create_virtual_branch(project_repository, &BranchCreateRequest::default())
         .expect("failed to create virtual branch");
     branch.upstream = Some(remote_branch.clone());
-    branch.head = last_push;
+    branch.head = last_push.into();
     vb_state
         .set_branch(branch.clone())
         .context("failed to write target branch after push")?;
@@ -930,7 +931,7 @@ async fn merge_vbranch_upstream_conflict() -> Result<()> {
     //update repo ref refs/remotes/origin/master to up_target oid
     project_repository.git_repository.reference(
         &"refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
-        coworker_work,
+        coworker_work.into(),
         true,
         "update target",
     )?;
@@ -946,7 +947,7 @@ async fn merge_vbranch_upstream_conflict() -> Result<()> {
     vb_state.set_default_target(virtual_branches::target::Target {
         branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
         remote_url: "origin".to_string(),
-        sha: target_oid,
+        sha: target_oid.into(),
         push_remote_name: None,
     })?;
 
@@ -960,7 +961,7 @@ async fn merge_vbranch_upstream_conflict() -> Result<()> {
     let mut branch = create_virtual_branch(project_repository, &BranchCreateRequest::default())
         .expect("failed to create virtual branch");
     branch.upstream = Some(remote_branch.clone());
-    branch.head = last_push;
+    branch.head = last_push.into();
     vb_state
         .set_branch(branch.clone())
         .context("failed to write target branch after push")?;
@@ -1289,7 +1290,7 @@ fn detect_mergeable_branch() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     project_repository.git_repository.reference(
         &"refs/remotes/origin/remote_branch".parse().unwrap(),
-        up_target,
+        up_target.into(),
         true,
         "update target",
     )?;
@@ -1310,7 +1311,7 @@ fn detect_mergeable_branch() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     project_repository.git_repository.reference(
         &"refs/remotes/origin/remote_branch2".parse().unwrap(),
-        up_target,
+        up_target.into(),
         true,
         "update target",
     )?;
@@ -1428,7 +1429,7 @@ fn upstream_integrated_vbranch() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     project_repository.git_repository.reference(
         &"refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
-        upstream_commit,
+        upstream_commit.into(),
         true,
         "update target",
     )?;
@@ -1436,7 +1437,7 @@ fn upstream_integrated_vbranch() -> Result<()> {
     vb_state.set_default_target(virtual_branches::target::Target {
         branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
         remote_url: "http://origin.com/project".to_string(),
-        sha: base_commit,
+        sha: base_commit.into(),
         push_remote_name: None,
     })?;
     project_repository
@@ -1810,7 +1811,7 @@ fn commit_partial_by_file() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     let commit1 = project_repository
         .git_repository
-        .find_commit(commit1_oid)
+        .find_commit(commit1_oid.into())
         .unwrap();
 
     set_test_target(project_repository)?;
@@ -1877,7 +1878,7 @@ fn commit_add_and_delete_files() -> Result<()> {
         .unwrap();
     let commit1 = project_repository
         .git_repository
-        .find_commit(commit1_oid)
+        .find_commit(commit1_oid.into())
         .unwrap();
 
     set_test_target(project_repository)?;
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/lib.rs b/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/lib.rs
index 3359efd18..876f5cafe 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/lib.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ pub mod virtual_branches {
             .set_default_target(virtual_branches::target::Target {
                 branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
                 remote_url: remote_repo.path().to_str().unwrap().parse().unwrap(),
-                sha: remote_repo.head().unwrap().target().unwrap(),
+                sha: remote_repo.head().unwrap().target().unwrap().into(),
                 push_remote_name: None,
             })
             .expect("failed to write target");
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/suite.rs b/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/suite.rs
index eca88720c..749e74f71 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/suite.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/suite.rs
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ pub fn commit_all(repository: &gitbutler_core::git::Repository) -> gitbutler_cor
     let head = repository.head().expect("failed to get head");
     let commit_oid = repository
         .commit(
-            Some(&head.name().unwrap()),
+            Some(&head.name().map(|name| name.parse().unwrap()).unwrap()),
             &signature,
             &signature,
             "some commit",
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/test_project.rs b/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/test_project.rs
index 5acf956c9..9d781a6b8 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/test_project.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-testsupport/src/test_project.rs
@@ -124,7 +124,9 @@ impl TestProject {
         });
 
         let head_ref = head.name().unwrap();
-        self.local_repository.find_reference(&head_ref).unwrap();
+        self.local_repository
+            .find_reference(&head_ref.parse().expect("libgit2 provides valid refnames"))
+            .unwrap();
 
         self.local_repository
             .reset(&commit, git2::ResetType::Hard, None)
@@ -306,9 +308,10 @@ impl TestProject {
         index.write().expect("failed to write index");
         let oid = index.write_tree().expect("failed to write tree");
         let signature = git2::Signature::now("test", "test@email.com").unwrap();
+        let refname: git::Refname = head.name().unwrap().parse().unwrap();
         self.local_repository
             .commit(
-                head.name().as_ref(),
+                Some(&refname),
                 &signature,
                 &signature,
                 message,
@@ -329,7 +332,7 @@ impl TestProject {
             .expect("failed to commit")
     }
 
-    pub fn references(&self) -> Vec<git::Reference<'_>> {
+    pub fn references(&self) -> Vec<git2::Reference<'_>> {
         self.local_repository
             .references()
             .expect("failed to get references")
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
index d234f3366..80b744bfd 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ impl Handler {
                         .get_head()
                         .context("failed to get head")?;
                     let head_ref_name = head_ref.name().context("failed to get head name")?;
-                    if head_ref_name.to_string() != "refs/heads/gitbutler/integration" {
+                    if head_ref_name != "refs/heads/gitbutler/integration" {
                         let mut integration_reference = project_repository
                             .git_repository
                             .find_reference(&git::Refname::from(git::LocalRefname::new(