[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>...]
+ [--column[=<options>] | --no-column] [--sort=<key>]
+ [(--merged | --no-merged) [<commit>]]
+ [--contains [<commit]] [--no-contains [<commit>]]
+ [--points-at <object>] [--format=<format>] [<pattern>...]
'git branch' [--set-upstream | --track | --no-track] [-l] [-f] <branchname> [<start-point>]
'git branch' (--set-upstream-to=<upstream> | -u <upstream>) [<branchname>]
'git branch' --unset-upstream [<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.
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::
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.
+--format <format>::
+ A string that interpolates `%(fieldname)` from the object
+ pointed at by a ref being shown. The format is the same as
+ that of linkgit:git-for-each-ref[1].
+
Examples
--------
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.