Checkout a file from another branch

I need the file src/config/settings.yml from branch release/2.4 restored into my current branch hotfix/2.4.1 so I can patch a config value. Replace the working copy in my hotfix branch with that file, preserving file history where possible, and stage it for commit. Confirm the file diff before I commit.

Before I commit this change from another branch, make it easy for Raj to accept: show the exact lines changed between our current hotfix/2.4.1 version and release/2.4's src/config/settings.yml, call out any nearby configuration keys he might object to, and note if the file had been renamed or moved recently that could confuse a reviewer.

I checked out src/config/settings.yml from release/2.4 into hotfix/2.4.1 to fix an environment flag, and now unit tests fail. I’m afraid the file brought in unrelated changes or a different indentation style I can’t spot. I don’t know what exact differences were introduced or whether I preserved line endings. How can I quickly compare the file I pulled to the previous hotfix version, revert just the parts that break tests if needed, and document the change for Raj?

Over several fixes I keep importing whole files from other branches to save time, and reviewers keep flagging hidden changes that break tests or behavior. I want a new approach that reduces review churn and accidental regressions: what smaller-granularity habit should I adopt when borrowing code from another branch, and a practical pre-commit checklist to catch context-sensitive issues before a reviewer sees them?