I find it restrictive too, but recognise why it is so critical for side-by-side patch review
grab this plugin to browse JIRA patches and then you'll really appreciate it. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/git-patch-viewer/hkoggakcdopbgnaeeidcmopfekipkleg Similarly, it's good for IntelliJ's compare-with feature, which shows your live window next to the latest SCM version or another branch, lets you pull in lines, delete lines, .... Above 100+ chars this becomes unworkable except on a 25" + wide-screen monitor regarding style guides -you know I'm working on a new one? https://github.com/steveloughran/formality/blob/master/styleguide/styleguide.md it's something I'm expanding during test runs, not yet ready for wide review
