new branch.
When a local branch is started off a remote branch, git can setup the
-branch so that gitlink:git-pull[1] will appropriately merge from that
+branch so that linkgit:git-pull[1] will appropriately merge from that
remote branch. If this behavior is desired, it is possible to make it
the default using the global `branch.autosetupmerge` configuration
flag. Otherwise, it can be chosen per-branch using the `--track`
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 reflog then the reflog will also be deleted. Use -r together with -d
-to delete remote-tracking branches.
+has a reflog then the reflog will also be deleted.
+
+Use -r together with -d to delete remote-tracking branches. Note, that it
+only makes sense to delete remote-tracking branches if they no longer exist
+in remote repository or if linkgit:git-fetch[1] was configured not to fetch
+them again. See also 'prune' subcommand of linkgit:git-remote[1] for way to
+clean up all obsolete remote-tracking branches.
OPTIONS
-------
-d::
- Delete a branch. The branch must be fully merged.
+ Delete a branch. The branch must be fully merged in HEAD.
-D::
- Delete a branch irrespective of its index status.
+ Delete a branch irrespective of its merged status.
-l::
Create the branch's reflog. This activates recording of
<branchname>::
The name of the branch to create or delete.
The new branch name must pass all checks defined by
- gitlink:git-check-ref-format[1]. Some of these checks
+ linkgit:git-check-ref-format[1]. Some of these checks
may restrict the characters allowed in a branch name.
<start-point>::
$ git branch -D test <2>
------------
+
-<1> Delete remote-tracking branches "todo", "html", "man"
-<2> Delete "test" branch even if the "master" branch does not have all
-commits from test branch.
+<1> Delete remote-tracking branches "todo", "html", "man". Next 'fetch' or
+'pull' will create them again unless you configure them not to. See
+linkgit:git-fetch[1].
+<2> Delete "test" branch even if the "master" branch (or whichever branch is
+currently checked out) does not have all commits from test branch.
Notes
GIT
---
-Part of the gitlink:git[7] suite
+Part of the linkgit:git[7] suite