There are several reasons why you could decide to Git Branch Delete branches Locally and Remotely in Git. Thankfully, it’s simple to remove a Git branch. Because Git’s branches are so lightweight, creating them on demand is simple. However, it’s also simple to collect extra branches that you don’t require. What then goes into eliminating a branch?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- One of the most essential components of a regular Git process is branch deletion.
- The command “git branch -d [branchname]” can be used to remove a local branch, however, unmerged modifications should be avoided.
- Learn the unique procedure for each tool you use, such as GitHub Desktop, GitKraken, Tower, and Bitbucket, as they vary in how to delete branches.
Table of Contents
Reason to Delete Branches Both Locally and Remotely in Git
Initially, in the process of learning how to organize a project with git branches, you will likely make a branch and later determine it wasn’t necessary. This is acceptable because branching is lightweight and operates quickly and effectively with disc space.
Because of this, a lot of git development strategies promote branching—even for quick or tiny operations. For every issue fix, for instance, it’s normal practice to create a different branch.
In your daily process, deleting branches ought to be as natural as generating them.
An Example Of A Repository With Branches
The following examples apply to a sample repository that has the following setup:
![Git Branch Maintenance: Delete Branches Both Locally and Remotely in git[100% fix]](https://i0.wp.com/techcoresolutions.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-09-152037_1_1.png?resize=751%2C301&ssl=1)
The repository contains two branches: main and dev. There is an upstream branch on a distant server (origin) that corresponds to each of these local branches, which are tracking branches.
Make sure you know how to list git branches from the command line or view them in your favorite client because it’s easy to lose track of branches.
Removing a Git Branch Maintenance Using the Command Line
To delete a branch, use the following basic command syntax:
git branch (-d | -D) [-r] <branchname>…
How to remove a Local Branch
If all of the changes in the local branch have been merged, the command’s most basic form deletes it:
git branch -d dev
If everything goes according to plan, you will see an email message:
![Git Branch Maintenance: Delete Branches Both Locally and Remotely in git[100% fix]](https://i0.wp.com/techcoresolutions.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-09-152122_1_1.png?resize=757%2C298&ssl=1)
The active branch cannot be deleted; attempting to do so will result in the following message:
You will lose any unmerged, unpushed changes in a local branch that you delete. So by default, git will not allow the deletion of such a branch. The changes that the developer has unmerged and not pushed to the remote branch are seen in this example:
![Git Branch Maintenance: Delete Branches Both Locally and Remotely in git[100% fix]](https://i0.wp.com/techcoresolutions.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-09-152449_1_1.png?resize=779%2C299&ssl=1)
The -D switch allows you to compel deletion, as stated in the error message.
If the matching remote branch is current, you can remove a local tracking branch—even if it hasn’t been merged. Git will continue to display a warning to let you know what went wrong:
How to Remove a Remote Branch
Remote branch deletion is a very different process. To delete, use the git push command with the -d argument. Next, provide the branch name and the name of the remote (often origin):
Using GitHub Desktop to Remove Local and Remote Git Branches
You can only remove the active branch using the GitHub desktop interface, in contrast to the command-line Git program. This can be done using the Branch menu by choosing Delete and then confirming it:
Although Git allows you to delete the default branch, such as main, GitHub Desktop does not allow you to do so. The application disables the menu action if the active branch is the default branch.
GitHub Desktop provides the ability to remove a branch from a remote branch if the branch also represents a remote branch:
![Git Branch Maintenance: Delete Branches Both Locally and Remotely in git[100% fix]](https://i0.wp.com/techcoresolutions.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-09-153856_1.png?resize=840%2C423&ssl=1)
Removing Branches Using GitKraken
GitKraken shows the local and remote branches of your repository in the sidebar on the left. Each must be deleted independently.
Select the Branch actions menu (three vertical dots) by hovering over the relevant branch name. Choose Delete from the menu:
A confirmation message alerting you to the damaging nature of this operation will appear. You can use the Delete button to confirm that you wish to proceed:
As is the default behavior of the git command-line program, you have to move to a different branch before deleting this one. If not, the following error notice will appear:
Using Tower to Remove Local and Remote Branches
The process of removing a branch using Tower and GitKraken is rather similar. The app shows branches that are local and remote in a panel on the left. To delete a branch, right-click on it and use the context menu’s Delete option:
The ability to remove a remote branch and its local branch immediately during confirmation is a major difference:
Removing a Branch on GitHub
Branches on GitHub are remote by default because it functions only as a remote source. You will need to use one of the other techniques provided to remove the correct local branch in case you decide to delete a branch through the GitHub website.
You cannot remove the default branch on the GitHub website, just like you cannot with the GitHub Desktop client. They will notice an error message if you try:
However, removing any other branch is simple. Click the branches link on the repository’s Code page, find the branch you want to remove, and then select the trash can-shaped Delete branch icon:
Note that GitHub will just erase the branch right away because there are no checks for unmerged changes. But this behavior should make sense, as it will always represent a remote branch.
Keep in mind that there will be a button to restore the branch after deletion. But this is just a helpful undo function in case you inadvertently hit the erase button. Relying on it is not advisable as the option will disappear the moment you browse away from the page or refresh it!
On Bitbucket Removing Local and Remote Branches
Similar to GitHub, Bitbucket does not let you remove the default branch. This is referred to in Bitbucket’s repository settings as the Main branch. Any additional branch mentioned on the Branches tab can be deleted by using the Actions menu that corresponds to it:
Additionally, if you’re performing an important cleanup, you can delete multiple branches at once:
Branches Are Deleted As Part of a Typical Git Process
Your workflow may get more complex using Git branches, particularly if it includes local, remote, and tracking branches. However, you’ll probably be often establishing and removing local branches for simple daily development. This is a fundamental component of a standard Git process to which you should get used.
Consider setting up aliases to remove branches and streamline the process if you have trouble remembering every step involved in deleting a branch.
If you have any questions about Git Branch Maintenance and deleting a Branch then contact us over Twitter and Facebook accounts.
