Git: Create a Branch
Last updated
The modern way to create a branch and switch to it in one step is git switch -c <name>. The older git checkout -b <name> does the same thing and still works everywhere. git branch <name> creates the branch without switching to it. A new branch starts from wherever you are now unless you name a different starting point.
Try these in the terminal playground - a real shell in your browser, nothing to install.
Syntax
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
git switch -c feature | Create feature and switch to it (modern) |
git checkout -b feature | Create and switch (older, equivalent) |
git branch feature | Create the branch without switching |
git switch -c feature main | Create feature starting from main |
git switch -c feature <hash> | Create a branch starting from a commit |
Common cases
| Goal | Command |
|---|---|
| Branch off a remote branch | git switch -c feature origin/feature |
| Push a new branch and set upstream | git push -u origin feature |
| Create a branch you'll switch to later | git branch feature |
Git create branch FAQ
How do I create a branch and switch to it in one command?
Run
git switch -c <name> (modern Git) or the equivalent git checkout -b <name>. Both create the new branch from your current commit and immediately check it out, so you're ready to work on it right away.What's the difference between git switch -c and git checkout -b?
They do the same thing - create a branch and switch to it.
git switch is the newer, more focused command introduced to separate branch-switching from git checkout's many other uses. git checkout -b is older but still fully supported; use whichever your team prefers.How do I create a branch from another branch or a specific commit?
Add a starting point as the last argument:
git switch -c feature main branches off main, and git switch -c feature <hash> branches off a specific commit. Without a starting point, the branch is created from your current HEAD.How do I push a new branch to the remote?
After creating it locally, run
git push -u origin <name>. The -u sets the upstream so future git push and git pull on that branch need no arguments. The branch doesn't exist on the remote until you push it.Can I practice this online?
Yes. Open the terminal playground to run these commands in a real shell in your browser - nothing to install. Coddy's free interactive Git course also covers branching end to end.
Related resources
More Git commands
