Git Branch Explained – Create, Switch, Merge, and Delete Branches Easily
What is git branch?
In Git, a branch is like a pointer to a specific version of your project. It allows you to:
- Work on new features safely
- Experiment with ideas without affecting live code
- Collaborate with teammates more efficiently
- Keep the main branch (e.g.,
main) clean and stable
By default, every Git project starts with a branch called main (or sometimes master).
Why Use Git Branches?
Work on multiple things at once
Example: Alice works on a login feature; Bob works on search — on separate branches.
Test ideas safely
Example: You try a new design in a test branch without affecting your main site.
Team collaboration made easy
Example: Each developer pushes code to their own branch, then merges it into main.
Keep your project clean
Example: Only tested code is merged to main.
Benefits of Using Git Branches
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Clean workflow | Feature → test → merge into main |
| Parallel development | Developers work on different features |
| Safe collaboration | Avoids accidental overwrites |
| Better version tracking | Easy to trace feature history |
Common git branch Commands with Examples
1. List All Branches
git branch
Example Output:
* main
feature-login
bugfix-search
The branch with * is the one you’re currently on.
2. Create a New Branch
git branch contact-form
Creates a new branch called contact-form
Does not switch to it yet.
3. Switch to Another Branch
git checkout contact-form
You’re now working in the contact-form branch.
Shortcut: Create and Switch Immediately
git checkout -b about-page
This creates the about-page branch and switches to it in one step.
4. Delete a Branch (Locally)
git branch -d old-feature
Deletes a branch only if it’s already merged.
git branch -D unfinished-experiment
Force-deletes a branch even if not merged.
Real-World Branch Workflow Example
git branch feature-login # Create branch
git checkout feature-login # Switch to it
touch login.html
echo "<h1>Login Page</h1>" > login.html
git add login.html
git commit -m "Add login page" # Save changes
git checkout main # Switch back to main
git merge feature-login # Merge new feature
git branch -d feature-login # Delete merged branch
Summary – Git Branch
Key Takeaways:
git branchhelps you manage different features or tasks safely- Always use branches to isolate work before merging into
main - Use
checkout -bto create and switch in one command - Delete branches you no longer need to keep things clean
Real-World Relevance:
- Prevents bugs from entering production
- Encourages collaboration and organized version control
- Works well with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions – Git Branch
What’s the difference between git branch and git checkout?
git branch: Create or list branchesgit checkout: Switch between them
How do I know which branch I’m on?
git branch
The branch with * is your current branch.
Can I create and switch to a branch at the same time?
git checkout -b new-feature
Yes! This creates and switches to new-feature.
Will switching branches delete my uncommitted work?
No, but Git will warn you if switching causes conflicts.
To temporarily save uncommitted changes:
git stash
What happens when I delete a branch?
It deletes the pointer to the branch on your local machine.
The commits still exist in Git history unless fully orphaned.
How do I push a new branch to GitHub?
After creating and committing:
git push origin new-branch-name
Example:
git push origin feature-login
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