How to Make a New Branch on GitHub Using Terminal
Creating a new branch on GitHub is an essential skill for any developer, as it allows you to work on separate features or bug fixes without affecting the main codebase. Using the terminal, you can easily create and manage branches, making it a powerful tool for version control. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making a new branch on GitHub using the terminal.
Step 1: Open Your Terminal
Before you begin, make sure you have Git installed on your system. You can check this by running the following command in your terminal:
“`
git –version
“`
If Git is installed, the terminal will display the version number. If not, you will need to install it first.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Repository
Once you have Git installed, navigate to the directory containing your GitHub repository using the `cd` command. For example:
“`
cd path/to/your/repository
“`
Replace `path/to/your/repository` with the actual path to your repository.
Step 3: Check Out the Current Branch
Before creating a new branch, it’s essential to ensure that you are on the correct branch. You can check your current branch by running:
“`
git branch
“`
This command will list all branches in your repository, including the one you are currently on. If you are not on the branch you want to create a new one from, switch to it using the following command:
“`
git checkout branch-name
“`
Replace `branch-name` with the name of the branch you want to switch to.
Step 4: Create a New Branch
Now that you are on the desired branch, you can create a new branch using the `git checkout -b` command. This command creates a new branch and switches to it simultaneously. For example:
“`
git checkout -b new-branch-name
“`
Replace `new-branch-name` with the name you want to give your new branch.
Step 5: Verify the New Branch
After creating the new branch, verify that it has been created successfully by running:
“`
git branch
“`
This command should now list your new branch along with the others in your repository.
Step 6: Commit Your Changes
Now that you have a new branch, you can start working on your feature or bug fix. Make any necessary changes to your code and commit them using the `git commit` command. For example:
“`
git commit -m “Your commit message”
“`
Replace `”Your commit message”` with a description of the changes you made.
Step 7: Push the New Branch to GitHub
Once you have made your changes and committed them, you can push your new branch to GitHub using the `git push` command. This will create the branch on the remote repository and allow you to collaborate with others. For example:
“`
git push origin new-branch-name
“`
Replace `origin` with the name of your remote repository and `new-branch-name` with the name of your new branch.
Conclusion
Creating a new branch on GitHub using the terminal is a straightforward process that can help you manage your code more effectively. By following these steps, you can easily create, commit, and push your new branch to GitHub, ensuring that your work is well-organized and version-controlled.
