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git-branch - List, create, or delete branches.
SYNOPSIS
git-branch [-r]
git-branch [-l] [-f] <branchname> [<start-point>]
git-branch (-d | -D) <branchname>...
DESCRIPTION
With no arguments given (or just -r) a list of available branches will be shown, the current branch will be
highlighted with an asterisk.
In its second form, a new branch named <branchname> will be created. It will start out with a head equal to the
one given as <start-point>. If no <start-point> is given, the branch will be created with a head equal to that of
the currently checked out branch.
With a -d or -D option, <branchname> will be deleted. You may specify more than one branch for deletion. If the
branch currently has a ref log then the ref log will also be deleted.
OPTIONS
-d
Delete a branch. The branch must be fully merged.
-D
Delete a branch irrespective of its index status.
-l
Create the branch's ref log. This activates recording of all changes to made the branch ref, enabling use of
date
-f
Force the creation of a new branch even if it means deleting a branch that already exists with the same name.
-r
List only the "remote" branches.
<branchname>
The name of the branch to create or delete. The new branch name must pass all checks defined by
git-check-ref-format(1). Some of these checks may restrict the characters allowed in a branch name.
<start-point>
The new branch will be created with a HEAD equal to this. It may be given as a branch name, a commit-id, or a
tag. If this option is omitted, the current branch is assumed.
EXAMPLES
Start development off of a known tag
$ git clone git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/.../linux-2.6 my2.6
$ cd my2.6
$ git branch my2.6.14 v2.6.14 (1)
$ git checkout my2.6.14
1. This step and the next one could be combined into a single step with "checkout -b my2.6.14 v2.6.14".
Delete unneeded branch
$ git clone git://git.kernel.org/.../git.git my.git
$ cd my.git
$ git branch -D todo (1)
1. delete todo branch even if the "master" branch does not have all commits from todo branch.
NOTES
If you are creating a branch that you want to immediately checkout, it's easier to use the git checkout command
with its -b option to create a branch and check it out with a single command.
DOCUMENTATION
Documentation by Junio C Hamano and the git-list <git@vger.kernel.org>.
GIT
Part of the git(7) suite
CATEGORY