This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2021-06-09. 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.

Creating and deleting branches within your repository

You can create or delete branches directly on GitHub Enterprise Server.

Creating a branch

  1. On GitHub Enterprise Server, navigate to the main page of the repository.

  2. Optionally, if you want to create your new branch from a branch other than the default branch for the repository, click NUMBER branches then choose another branch: Branches link on overview page

  3. Click the branch selector menu. branch selector menu

  4. Type a unique name for your new branch, then select Create branch. branch creation text box

Deleting a branch

You can have head branches automatically deleted after pull requests are merged in your repository. For more information, see "Managing the automatic deletion of branches."

Note: If the branch you want to delete is the repository's default branch, you must choose a new default branch before deleting the branch. For more information, see "Changing the default branch."

If the branch you want to delete is associated with an open pull request, you must merge or close the pull request before deleting the branch. For more information, see "Merging a pull request" or "Closing a pull request."

  1. On GitHub Enterprise Server, navigate to the main page of the repository.
  2. Above the list of files, click NUMBER branches. Branches link on overview page
  3. Scroll to the branch that you want to delete, then click . delete the branch

For more information, see "About branches."

Further reading