Renaming branches in Git is a common task, whether you’re working on your own or collaborating with a team. This is what this article explores how to rename a branch both locally and remotely in Git. Before doing so, you need to ensure you have installed Git on your system and that you know the basics of the Git commands.
Steps to Rename a Branch
Step 1. Rename the Local Branch
Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to your Git repository directory.
Rename the branch locally using the command:
“`bash
git branch -m old_name new_name
“`
Replace `old_name` with the current name of the branch you want to rename, and `new_name` with the desired new name for the branch.
Step 2. Delete the Old Branch on Remote
Next, delete the old branch from the remote repository using the following command:
“`bash
git push origin –delete old_name
“`
This command removes the old branch named `old_name` from the remote repository.
Step 3. Update the New Branch’s Upstream
To prevent Git from using the old name when pushing changes to the remote, unset the upstream branch for the new branch:
“`bash
git branch –unset-upstream new_name
“`
This command removes the upstream tracking configuration for the `new_name` branch.
Step 4. Push the Renamed Branch to Remote
Now, push the renamed branch to the remote repository using the following command:
“`bash
git push origin new_name
“`
This command pushes the `new_name` branch to the remote repository.
Step 5. Set Upstream for the New Branch
To set the upstream branch for the `new_name` branch, use the `-u` flag with the push command:
“`bash
git push origin -u new_name
“`
This command sets the upstream branch for `new_name`, enabling you to push changes to the branch without specifying the remote and branch name each time.
Conclusion
In case you need to streamline your Git workflow or need expert assistance on the same, then hire a developer who will optimize your processes, get rid of the troubles that may hinder your actions, and ensure a smooth collaboration inside the team.