Skip to content
Git g1t-GUD

How do I create a new branch?

A branch is a copy of your project where you can try things.
The main branch (often called main) stays the same until you decide to bring your changes back.

Do this:

  1. Open a terminal in your project folder.
  2. Create a new branch. Pick a name that says what you’re doing. For example fix-login or new-button:
Terminal window
git branch fix-login

That creates the branch. It does not switch you to it yet.

  1. Switch to the new branch:
Terminal window
git switch fix-login

Now you are on fix-login. Any commits you make here stay on this branch. Your main branch does not change.

Shortcut: create and switch in one step

Terminal window
git switch -c fix-login

The -c means “create this branch and switch to it”. Same result as the two commands above.

Check which branch you’re on

Terminal window
git branch

The branch you’re on has a star next to it. Or run git status — it says “On branch fix-login” at the top.

When you’re done and want to bring your work back into main

Switch to main, then merge:

Terminal window
git switch main
git merge fix-login

Now the changes from fix-login are in main. See merge for more.