[verse]
'git branch' [--color[=<when>] | --no-color] [-r | -a]
[--list] [-v [--abbrev=<length> | --no-abbrev]]
- [--column[=<options>] | --no-column]
- [(--merged | --no-merged | --contains) [<commit>]] [--sort=<key>]
- [--points-at <object>] [<pattern>...]
-'git branch' [--set-upstream | --track | --no-track] [-l] [-f] <branchname> [<start-point>]
+ [--column[=<options>] | --no-column] [--sort=<key>]
+ [(--merged | --no-merged) [<commit>]]
+ [--contains [<commit]] [--no-contains [<commit>]]
+ [--points-at <object>] [--format=<format>] [<pattern>...]
+'git branch' [--track | --no-track] [-l] [-f] <branchname> [<start-point>]
'git branch' (--set-upstream-to=<upstream> | -u <upstream>) [<branchname>]
'git branch' --unset-upstream [<branchname>]
'git branch' (-m | -M) [<oldbranch>] <newbranch>
+'git branch' (-c | -C) [<oldbranch>] <newbranch>
'git branch' (-d | -D) [-r] <branchname>...
'git branch' --edit-description [<branchname>]
With `--contains`, shows only the branches that contain the named commit
(in other words, the branches whose tip commits are descendants of the
-named commit). With `--merged`, only branches merged into the named
-commit (i.e. the branches whose tip commits are reachable from the named
-commit) will be listed. With `--no-merged` only branches not merged into
-the named commit will be listed. If the <commit> argument is missing it
-defaults to `HEAD` (i.e. the tip of the current branch).
+named commit), `--no-contains` inverts it. With `--merged`, only branches
+merged into the named commit (i.e. the branches whose tip commits are
+reachable from the named commit) will be listed. With `--no-merged` only
+branches not merged into the named commit will be listed. If the <commit>
+argument is missing it defaults to `HEAD` (i.e. the tip of the current
+branch).
The command's second form creates a new branch head named <branchname>
which points to the current `HEAD`, or <start-point> if given.
renaming. If <newbranch> exists, -M must be used to force the rename
to happen.
+The `-c` and `-C` options have the exact same semantics as `-m` and
+`-M`, except instead of the branch being renamed it along with its
+config and reflog will be copied to a new name.
+
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.
--delete::
Delete a branch. The branch must be fully merged in its
upstream branch, or in `HEAD` if no upstream was set with
- `--track` or `--set-upstream`.
+ `--track` or `--set-upstream-to`.
-D::
Shortcut for `--delete --force`.
all changes made to the branch ref, enabling use of date
based sha1 expressions such as "<branchname>@\{yesterday}".
Note that in non-bare repositories, reflogs are usually
- enabled by default by the `core.logallrefupdates` config option.
+ enabled by default by the `core.logAllRefUpdates` config option.
The negated form `--no-create-reflog` only overrides an earlier
`--create-reflog`, but currently does not negate the setting of
- `core.logallrefupdates`.
+ `core.logAllRefUpdates`.
-f::
--force::
- Reset <branchname> to <startpoint> if <branchname> exists
- already. Without `-f` 'git branch' refuses to change an existing branch.
+ Reset <branchname> to <startpoint>, even if <branchname> exists
+ already. Without `-f`, 'git branch' refuses to change an existing branch.
In combination with `-d` (or `--delete`), allow deleting the
branch irrespective of its merged status. In combination with
`-m` (or `--move`), allow renaming the branch even if the new
- branch name already exists.
+ branch name already exists, the same applies for `-c` (or `--copy`).
-m::
--move::
-M::
Shortcut for `--move --force`.
+-c::
+--copy::
+ Copy a branch and the corresponding reflog.
+
+-C::
+ Shortcut for `--copy --force`.
+
--color[=<when>]::
Color branches to highlight current, local, and
remote-tracking branches.
List both remote-tracking branches and local branches.
--list::
- Activate the list mode. `git branch <pattern>` would try to create a branch,
- use `git branch --list <pattern>` to list matching branches.
+ List branches. With optional `<pattern>...`, e.g. `git
+ branch --list 'maint-*'`, list only the branches that match
+ the pattern(s).
++
+This should not be confused with `git branch -l <branchname>`,
+which creates a branch named `<branchname>` with a reflog.
+See `--create-reflog` above for details.
-v::
-vv::
branch.autoSetupMerge configuration variable is true.
--set-upstream::
- If specified branch does not exist yet or if `--force` has been
- given, acts exactly like `--track`. Otherwise sets up configuration
- like `--track` would when creating the branch, except that where
- branch points to is not changed.
+ As this option had confusing syntax, it is no longer supported.
+ Please use `--track` or `--set-upstream-to` instead.
-u <upstream>::
--set-upstream-to=<upstream>::
Only list branches which contain the specified commit (HEAD
if not specified). Implies `--list`.
+--no-contains [<commit>]::
+ Only list branches which don't contain the specified commit
+ (HEAD if not specified). Implies `--list`.
+
--merged [<commit>]::
Only list branches whose tips are reachable from the
- specified commit (HEAD if not specified). Implies `--list`.
+ specified commit (HEAD if not specified). Implies `--list`,
+ incompatible with `--no-merged`.
--no-merged [<commit>]::
Only list branches whose tips are not reachable from the
- specified commit (HEAD if not specified). Implies `--list`.
+ specified commit (HEAD if not specified). Implies `--list`,
+ incompatible with `--merged`.
<branchname>::
The name of the branch to create or delete.
--points-at <object>::
Only list branches of the given object.
-Examples
+--format <format>::
+ A string that interpolates `%(fieldname)` from a branch ref being shown
+ and the object it points at. The format is the same as
+ that of linkgit:git-for-each-ref[1].
+
+CONFIGURATION
+-------------
+`pager.branch` is only respected when listing branches, i.e., when
+`--list` is used or implied. The default is to use a pager.
+See linkgit:git-config[1].
+
+EXAMPLES
--------
Start development from a known tag::
is currently checked out) does not have all commits from the test branch.
-Notes
+NOTES
-----
If you are creating a branch that you want to checkout immediately, it is
easier to use the git checkout command with its `-b` option to create
a branch and check it out with a single command.
-The options `--contains`, `--merged` and `--no-merged` serve three related
-but different purposes:
+The options `--contains`, `--no-contains`, `--merged` and `--no-merged`
+serve four related but different purposes:
- `--contains <commit>` is used to find all branches which will need
special attention if <commit> were to be rebased or amended, since those
branches contain the specified <commit>.
+- `--no-contains <commit>` is the inverse of that, i.e. branches that don't
+ contain the specified <commit>.
+
- `--merged` is used to find all branches which can be safely deleted,
since those branches are fully contained by HEAD.