Git Branch Commands

Git branches allow developers to work on different features or fixes without affecting the main project. Below are the most common commands used to manage branches.

List Existing Branches

git branch

Displays the list of branches that have been created in the repository. The current branch is marked with *.

Example:

* main
  feature-login
  bugfix-header

Create a New Branch

git branch branchA

Creates a new branch called branchA if it does not already exist.

Switch to a Branch

git checkout branchA

Moves the working directory to the branchA branch if it exists.

Create and Switch to a Branch

git checkout -b branchA

Creates the branch branchA and immediately switches to it.

Create or Reset a Branch

git checkout -B branchA

Creates the branch branchA if it does not exist. If it already exists, Git resets the branch and switches to it.

Rename a Branch

If you made a mistake when naming a branch:

git branch brachA # bad name 
# You can rename it with:
git branch -m brachA branchA

This command renames the branch from brachA to branchA.

Delete a Branch

git branch -d branchA

Deletes the branch branchA if it has already been merged.

Git will delete the branch because its changes already exist in another branch.

Force Delete a Branch

git branch -D branchA

Forces the deletion of the branch even if it contains unmerged changes.

Summary