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This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2023-01-18. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Managing the default branch name for your repositories

In this article

You can set the default branch name for new repositories that you create on your GitHub Enterprise Server instance.

About management of the default branch name

When you create a new repository on your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, the repository contains one branch, which is the default branch. You can change the name that GitHub Enterprise Server uses for the default branch in new repositories you create. For more information about the default branch, see "About branches."

You can change the default branch for an existing repository. For more information, see "Changing the default branch."

Setting the default branch name

  1. In the upper-right corner of any page, click your profile photo, then click Settings.

    Settings icon in the user bar

  2. In the left sidebar, click Repositories. Repositories tab

  3. Under "Repository default branch", click Change default branch name now. Override button

  4. Type the default name that you would like to use for new branches. Text box for entering default name

  5. Click Update. Update button

Further reading